Rooted On Service

Story By: Lorenzo Almanza

Success didn’t come easy for Children’s Health Chief Compliance Officer, Javier Montemayor, who has endured multiple challenges on his way to the peak. But for Montemayor, this represents an even greater opportunity to impact his community.

During the 2017-2018 medical year Children’s Health in Dallas was ranked in eight out of 10 specialties. The listed departments included Orthopedics, Cancer, Urology and a list of many other groups.

One of the reasons Children’s Health continues to maintain a high reputation is largely in part due to the many highly-praised employees that work countless hours.

“Along with my colleagues, I place the patient and their family at the center of everything I do,” Chief Compliance Officer Javier Montemayor said.

Along with being the Chief Compliance Officer, Montemayor is also the Vice President for Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs. His work and accomplishments go far beyond the status quo of what the values of Children’s Health stand for.

“We have to put everything aside and realize we are here for one purpose and that is making life better for children,” Montemayor said.

The passion and care Montemayor has for the health care industry roots back into the values he was raised from.

“One thing I don’t forget is where I came from and the values my parents instilled in me,” he said.

Montemayor’s journey in life dates back to his early days growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, where he was born and raised.

Before his tenure at Children’s Health, the Chief Compliance Officer grew up in a small town called La Villa, Texas. His parents were both born in Mexico and later became United States Citizens.

While family is the cornerstone for Montemayor, the idea of him going to college became a reality when he decided to get his undergraduates degree at Texas A&M in Kingsville.

“Leaving home and going to college offered me the opportunity to mature, which helped me appreciate my culture and family values even more” Montemayor said referring to his decision to leave home.

Montemayor graduated from Texas A&M Kingsville in 1994 with a degree in Business Administration and soon after began working in visual merchandising in the Houston area.

While working at a local hospital during his undergraduate years, Montemayor’s work was mainly focused on small projects within Human Resources. Montemayor’s calling soon came after. He always had an interest in health care and knew he had to do something about it. “Early on I was exposed to the social and economic needs within my culture” Montemayor said.

He left his visual merchandising job and was accepted into grad school at Our Lady of the Lake. Montemayor stayed and worked in San Antonio for eight years. His journey which began as a Sr. Staffing Supervisor at a local hospital ended with him being a Facility Compliance Officer.

Soon after he, “was recruited to come to the Dallas/Fort Worth area” where he worked for Texas Health Resources as the Director for Quality Improvement. It was during 2007 that Montemayor took a chance and heard his calling to work for one of the top hospitals in the area.

“I was recruited to Children’s Health and I was intrigued because the organization’s mission to make life better for children aligned with my values. I have been there for almost 12 years.”

His work at Children’s Health does not stop as the Chief Compliance Officer. His selfless service, unwavering integrity and passionate advocacy extend beyond the hospital walls and into the communities the organization serves. One thing that the Latino Officer stands for is the difference he makes in the Dallas community. Montemayor is an alumni of the prestigious Leadership Dallas program, and it was during his start with the group that he realized there was a growing concern in the area.

“I have taken an interest in the homeless situation in the Dallas area,” Montemayor said. “There are a significant number of homeless adults and children and the resources to help them are limited.”

For Montemayor it is the idea of talking to them and realizing the difficulty and challenges they face.

Facing challenges head on has always been the concept Montemayor stands by because as he sees it, “the time is either now or never to make a difference.”

“Today’s challenge might be tomorrow’s opportunity or tomorrow’s success,” Montemayor said. “We may face difficult apprehensions and live through them, but learning from them is what makes us better.”

The values of hard work, family and community involvement are concepts that were instilled in him at an early age. “I think it is our duty to give back to the Latino/Hispanic community,” Montemayor said. “The biggest impact we can do is give back to the community and the public school system.”

While his legacy continues to break many boundaries, Montemayor never loses sight of his task ahead.

“While growing up, I was told I wouldn’t succeed. I would define success in knowing that I’m making a difference in what I do each day not only for Children’s Health, but for my family and the kids in the community that may think this type of success is unattainable.” Montemayor said. “I want to leave a program and a legacy that doesn’t lose sight of why we need to stay focused on making things better for children.”