The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC) announced today James Mendez, CEO of Kindred Hospital Dallas, was chosen as the 2015 Young Healthcare Executive of the Year. The award honors youthful professionals who display the impressive abilities of future North Texas healthcare leaders.

James Mendez

“James Mendez represents a talented group of up and coming young healthcare professionals in North Texas,” said W. Stephen Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “Our community is blessed to have such a promising generation of leaders so dedicated to the mission of serving others with medical needs. His innovations and undeniable energy on the job were deserving of this honor.”

Mendez’s rapid climb within Kindred Healthcare began in 2010 as the director of respiratory therapy. In 2013, he was accepted into Kindred’s Executive Fellowship Program. After completion, he was promoted to Kindred Hospital Dallas Administrator and today serves as the hospital’s CEO. Mendez was instrumental in the start-up of Kindred’s partnership with outpatient wound care companies, overseeing the project’s construction, marketing and recruitment. The project has provided significant quality of care for patients following discharge. He was also the leader of a Kindred IT project involving the creation of a tool that now provides hospital analysis and overviews.

In addition to Mendez, nominees included Elizabeth Asturi, chief nursing officer, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen; Derrick Cuenca, CEO, Lake Granbury Medical Center; and John Klitsch, associate administrator of business development, Lake Pointe Health Network.

The DFWHC Board of Trustees created the award in 2005 to recognize young women and men in healthcare. Nominees must be 40 years of age or younger and employed by a DFWHC-member hospital.

Mendez will be presented the award during DFWHC’s 67th Annual Awards Luncheon, October 29 at the Arlington Convention Center. Jon Meacham will serve as keynote speaker while Dr. Merlyn Sayers will receive the Distinguished Health Service Award. The event is sponsored in part by CampbellWilson, LLP. For more information, please contact Kristin Alexander or Chris Wilson at 972-719-4900.