Bishop Dunne and Rice University Graduate Earns Graduate Scholarship to Trinity, Job at Methodist Medical Center
Arturo Herrera, Bishop Dunne class of ‘09 shared his past experiences as a Bishop Dunne student and now as the Director of Physician Development at Methodist Dallas Medical Center during his speech at the annual Bishop Dunne 100 Dinner in October.
After graduating from Bishop Dunne in 2009, Arturo set off to study Philosophy and Public Studies at Rice University which he says helped him “think logically, and understand the grand scheme.” Through a great deal of hard work and dedication, Arturo was awarded the John Hornbeak scholarship by Trinity University. The John Hornbeak scholarship is awarded to only one student each year based on academic achievement and leadership potential. As a recipient of the John Hornbeak scholarship, Arturo went on to attain his master’s degree in healthcare administration at Trinity University.
“I had a year and a half of didactic classes for my Master’s and was working day-to-day as an intern here at Methodist, learning the ins and outs of running a big hospital,” he says. His Philosophy and Policy degree taught him to “think big” and also realize the importance of being detail oriented, both thought processes important to his position in the hospital. “Every day is different,” he explains. “I attend a lot of meetings, work on decreasing our Emergency Department times, work with the Vice President of Finance, and just work alongside the different department heads to see every area of the hospital and how each works.”
With his master’s degree, Arturo landed his first “real world” job as an administrative resident working alongside the Methodist Dallas president, Stephen L. Mansfield. Generally a yearlong engagement, the hospital president decided to end his residency early and offer Arturo the position of Director of Physician Development. Arturo now spends his time working alongside physicians creating strategy and providing them with the support needed to provide all patients with compassionate quality care.
He said his education at Bishop Dunne was top notch. “I truly enjoyed every teacher I had. They all challenged me and cared about me. I never had a bad teacher. I was very prepared to go on to Rice.”
Prepared for His Future
His interview with Methodist was a bit unusual, however. “About 30 hospitals come to the campus at Trinity after our year and a half of classes, and we meet with the representatives in sort of a ‘speed dating’ format. I got through the first interview with Methodist, and travelled to Dallas for my second interview.”
Planning ahead, Art got to the hospital an hour early for his meeting. “I wanted to check out the hospital and as I was waiting, I began to feel bad. Within the hour, I was worse and went to the emergency room. It turned out to be my appendix, which was about to burst.” He was wheeled into surgery and had the operation. “So of course my interview was moved. That was on a Monday. So the plan was for me to interview that Friday.”
But on Thursday he was back in the hospital feeling sick again. “My intestines were swelling from a bacterial infection that required a second surgery, so I was in the hospital for another week.” All that first-hand, inside knowledge of being a patient helped him land the internship, however. “The president by this time said he’d checked my references and it seemed I’d be a good fit, so I got the position without ever making it to the interview.”
His formal education ended last December, with his graduation from the Master’s program and soon after a job offer at the hospital.
His wife, Rebecca Fernandez, another Bishop Dunne graduate, finished her degree at the University of St. Thomas and is a 3rd grade teacher in Richardson. “Rebecca and I met while we were on the wrestling team at Dunne and became friends, then something more. So I guess you could say we were high school sweethearts.” Like Art, she returned to school, attending Dallas Baptist University to attain a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.
This Falcon is grateful for the good education he got at Bishop Dunne, the friends he made there and his new challenge at Methodist Hospital. “A hospital can be a scary place,” he admits. “My job will be to make it a more efficient business, a friendlier place, the best hospital it can be.”
Bishop Dunne Alumni will gather for a monthly networking Happy Hour on Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Eno’s Pizzeria in the Bishop Arts District. All Bishop Dunne Alumni are invited to attend. For more information see the school’s website: www.bdcs.org or contact Liz Hernandez, class of 2011, at eherndandez@bdcs.org or or (214) 339-6561 x4005.
Bishop Dunne is hosting a Holiday Craft Fair this Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the school located at 3900 Rugged Drive from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. For booth information contact Michael Alfers at malfers@bdcs.org or see the school's website: www.bdcs.org.