A Passion for People
Jon Darnell, MBA, CRA, ARRT(N)(CT), wanted to be a bank president as a kid, so it’s been a long journey to director of medical imaging at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance.
As a manager, he loves working with people. Darnell is also a go-to guy in a crisis, said his manager, Tracy Payne Martinez, P.T., M.S., H.C.A., professional support services officer at the hospital.
“Jon’s strength is performing under pressure,” Martinez said. “When things seem to be at our craziest — like during the recent snowstorm — you can really see it. He’s the kind of person who thrives in the uncertainty and the chaos and the difficult times.”
Read about Darnell’s journey — and see how hard he works in his spare time:
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose your career?
It’s really funny. I had a savings account, but the bank wasn’t paying a very high interest rate. I thought if I were a bank president, I could change the system back then so I could get a higher return on my savings. Everything seems so easy in our heads when we are kids, but we all get our eyes opened as we become adults.
I changed majors a couple of times in college. I started in computer programming and then I changed to secondary education. I thought I would like to be a high school math teacher, as I really loved math. I got into my first student teaching assignment and realized right away it was not for me.
I sought the guidance of friends and family, and ultimately got my undergraduate degree in biology from Kansas State University. From there, I went on to the University of Kansas Medical Center to become a nuclear medicine technologist. It combined technology and math and also brought the opportunity for me to care for people, so it was a great combination for me.
I have had such a fulfilling career and so many opportunities as I moved from a technologist into administration.
What does a typical workday look like?
My day can vary widely as it doesn’t always follow what my calendar has in store. It typically starts with checking emails. Then there are Teams meetings throughout the day. I round on my staff on a regular basis for collaboration and to address any issues. On occasion you may find me answering the department phone or transporting a patient.
I spend time on a regular basis planning for the future of my department in the areas of staffing, equipment, and new services. Overall, I would say I spend the better part of each day actively engaged in collaborating and networking with others to assist with or lead projects and improve workflows both at Texas Health Alliance and across the system.
What’s your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
I think any leader would agree that managing relationships and networking is a favorite part of their job, as it can be a lot of fun. With that comes a lot of responsibility and it can take a lot of time. Every person is not the same, so figuring out what works best for each person in their work environment and also doing what I can to have them feel they are an integral part of the team in every aspect is challenging — but also very rewarding.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I have flipped houses in my extra time with my wife for about 10 years.
How do you do your life’s best work at Texas Health?
Leading and developing people is my passion and Texas Health is a wonderful place for me to be able to shine in this area because of the culture here. I also really like helping people and figuring out how to improve situations. I do this through building relationships and great teams to carry out our Mission and Vision.
By Judy Wiley • Posted March 16, 2021
