Leading Texas Hospitals: Honoring Service Beyond the Uniform This Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, THA is proud to honor four veterans who have carried their commitment to service from the military to health care leadership. As administrators and executives across Texas hospitals, they exemplify the same dedication, teamwork and resilience that defined their time in uniform.

Their paths from serving the nation to serving patients highlight a shared mission – to protect, heal and lead with purpose. As we recognize their dedication to service, we also celebrate the profound impact they continue to make every day across Texas hospitals and their communities.

Noel-Cardenas-2 - Texas Hospital Association

Noel Cárdenas
SVP and CEO, Memorial Hermann Pearland and Southeast Hospitals

Noel J. Cárdenas is a distinguished health care executive and combat veteran whose 30-year military career laid the foundation for his current leadership in hospital operations. A native of Weslaco, Texas, he began his service with the U.S. Army and Texas National Guard, rising to the rank of colonel. During his military tenure, he held roles including CEO and hospital commander of Reynolds Army Community Hospital at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; CEO and commander of the 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion in Germany and Iraq; COO at Evans Army Community Hospital in Colorado and the Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center in Arizona; and COO and chief of staff at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.

Following his military service, Cárdenas transitioned into civilian health care administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Baylor University. In 2015, he was appointed vice president of operations at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, a 255-bed facility in Humble, Texas. Board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Cárdenas also serves on leadership boards, including the National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives, and has been a delegate on the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board 7.

With decades of experience leading complex health care operations in both military and civilian settings, Cárdenas brings a mission-driven focus – rooted in discipline, service and excellence – to advancing patient care and organizational performance across Texas hospitals.

Kristin Dyer - Texas Hospital Association

Kristin Dyer
CFO, Medical City Healthcare

Kristin Dyer is the chief financial officer of Medical City Healthcare, where she brings the precision, discipline and service-minded leadership forged during her eight years in the U.S. Navy. A former lieutenant, Dyer served as comptroller for two major military health facilities – the Naval Health Clinic New England and Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms in California – overseeing complex budgets, operational strategy and fiscal accountability to support high-quality patient care for service members and their families.

Her time in the Navy provided both professional and personal experiences that continue to shape her leadership style today. “I’m honored to have served,” Dyer says. “The experiences I had during those years helped shape who I am today.”

Following her military service, Dyer transitioned to executive leadership in civilian health care, where she now plays a vital role in advancing Medical City Healthcare’s mission to deliver excellence through financial stewardship and operational integrity. Known for her engaging presence and thoughtful leadership, Dyer exemplifies the connection between military service and health care administration – continuing her lifelong commitment to serving others through teamwork, accountability and compassion.

Dr. Chris Glanton - Texas Hospital Association

Dr. Chris Glanton
CMO, Peterson Health

Dr. Chris Glanton serves as chief medical officer at Peterson Health, a role he assumed in January 2022 after serving as chief of the medical staff from 2020 to 2021. A native of Marshall, Texas, he earned his medical degree with honors from UT Southwestern Medical School through the U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program and completed his residency in internal medicine at Wilford Hall U.S. Air Force Medical Center.

Dr. Glanton became the first Air Force physician to complete a nephrology fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center before returning to Wilford Hall as flight commander of the Nephrology Section. In 2003, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as a Critical Care Air Transport Team leader, flying 20 missions caring for critically ill patients. His service earned him the Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.

After separating from the Air Force in 2006, Dr. Glanton joined the San Antonio Kidney Disease Center, where he later served as president and medical director. Today, he continues to lead with the values shaped by his military service – discipline, teamwork and compassion – guiding his commitment to excellence in patient care and clinical leadership at Peterson Health.

Richard “Rick” Humphrey - Texas Hospital Association

Richard “Rick” Humphrey
CFO, Parkland Health

Richard Humphrey serves as executive vice president and CFO for Parkland Health & Hospital System, having joined the organization in August 2017 from Texas Health Resources. With decades of experience in health care finance, he brings strategic financial leadership to one of the largest public safety-net systems in the United States.

Before transitioning into health care administration, Humphrey served as a B-52 navigator in the U.S. Air Force and attained the rank of captain. During his military service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Combat Readiness Medal. Certified as a CPA, CIA, CHFP and CTP, and a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, he holds a Bachelor of Science from Carson-Newman University and an MBA from Golden Gate University.

Humphrey’s unique background in both military operations and financial management has shaped his leadership approach: disciplined, mission-oriented and focused on delivering sustainable value in complex care environments.