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Get to Know Our Staff: Ramon Muentes, Security

Get to Know Our Staff: Ramon Muentes, Security

by | May 2, 2025 | Spotlight

What is your job title at Scottish Rite?
I am a security officer.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
I ensure that everyone is safe and the hospital is protected.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I honestly didn’t know too much about the “civilian workforce,” as we called it in the military. However, I learned quickly about Scottish Rite and the uniqueness of it.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
Sometimes, I fill in for the Director of Security and give the orientation brief to the new staff members at Scottish Rite.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I like to go jogging and watch classic movies.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I was told that I might be artsy because of the Godzilla pumpkin display I submitted for Halloween.

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I was born in Ecuador, and in 1969, I went to New York. I joined the U.S. Marines in 1979. After various deployments and changes in duty stations, I ended up in Texas and retired from the Marines in 2001.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to Japan. I enjoy their culture and the politeness of their people.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I choose ceviche. It comes with various seafood, like fish, shrimp, octopus and clams. It also has limes, lemons and pico de gallo. It’s awesome and delicious.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“The Song of Bernadette,” which is a black and white film from 1943. It stars Jennifer Jones, and she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for this movie. 

What was the first concert you attended?
When I was a 12-year-old, my father and mother took me to see two orchestras that are originally from Ecuador. I saw Don Medardo Y Sus Players and Los Jokers. I remember it all like it was yesterday.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
Big Shucks Oyster Bar.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Raphael Martos

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
My advice is to consider who is giving the advice. Over time, I’ve received plenty — some good, some bad. I’ve kept the advice I found helpful and chosen to not use the advice that didn’t work for me.

Healing Then, Helping Now: Melissa’s Full Circle Moment

Healing Then, Helping Now: Melissa’s Full Circle Moment

by | May 2, 2025 | Neurology

“I believe my treatment at Scottish Rite for Children helped me become the independent person I am today,” says former patient Melissa, describing what brought her back to Scottish Rite as a volunteer. When she is not volunteering, Melissa can be found making new friends or hanging out with her friends that she made at Scottish Rite in the past.  

Approximately 50 years ago, Melissa received care from Chief of Staff Emeritus J. A. “Tony” Herring, M.D., for cerebral palsy (CP). CP is one of the most common childhood disorders that affects muscles in children and can affect their movement, balance and posture. For Melissa, she underwent multiple surgeries and attended therapy sessions to learn how to navigate her condition.

“When we learned about Melissa’s diagnosis, we were stunned, angry, frightened and confused,” says Ervin, Melissa’s father. “The moments of uncertainty and fear were there. Through her treatment, Melissa was able to build a normal life.”

Despite enduring various challenges on her journey, Melissa discovered her own sense of independence through her daily activities. Since completing treatment, Melissa has accomplished many things, such as graduating with an associate’s degree and moving into her own apartment with her dog, Buddy. As a volunteer, Melissa guides patients and their families to wherever they need to go at Scottish Rite.  

Now, Melissa is using her voice in a new way by joining Scottish Rite’s CP Task Force. Led by Senior Clinical Scientist Angela Shierk, Ph.D., O.T.R., the task force brings together families, patients, clinicians and researchers to connect, share experiences and access valuable resources. Through her role, Melissa is helping shape a more inclusive and informed future for the CP community.

“My daughter’s accomplishments haven’t stopped,” Pam says. “Her dad and I are so proud of her and honored to watch her grow into adulthood. We are so thankful for the many family, friends and medical professionals at Scottish Rite who have become part of her life and helped her in her journey.”

NBC 5: How Gwen Monahan Continues to Give Back

NBC 5: How Gwen Monahan Continues to Give Back

by | May 1, 2025 | Press Coverage

To Gwen Monahan, Scottish Rite for Children represents an opportunity to give back to patients and their families. She began her journey at Scottish Rite in 1972 as a staff nurse. Over the next 39 years, she served as a head nurse, assistant director and director of the nursing unit. She then transitioned to working closely with Chief of Staff Emeritus J.A. “Tony” Herring, M.D.

Gwen retired in 2011, but her dedication did not end there. With the desire to stay connected to Scottish Rite’s mission, she began volunteering at the Frisco campus in 2018 upon its opening. Today, she helps the Radiology team by guiding patients to the X-ray area for imaging — still making a difference, one family at a time.

Watch her segment here. 

CORA Prepares the Next Generation of Medical Experts

CORA Prepares the Next Generation of Medical Experts

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Research & Innovation, Scoliosis & Spine

Research equips Scottish Rite for Children clinicians to continuously provide the best care possible to every patient. Each year, Clinical Orthopedic Research Assistants (CORAs) are chosen to assist Scottish Rite’s team of experts in addressing a wide range of clinical needs, as well as innovating treatment options.

The CORA program serves as a patient-driven, hands-on experience for aspiring medical students. This program was created in 2022 to provide opportunities to students who aim to enhance their medical knowledge before entering medical school.

CORA staff assists Scottish Rite experts in performing clinical research tasks and collaborating on research projects. Each CORA staff member specializes in a specific area of study and works with the experts in that department, where they gain a well-rounded experience in their field of interest. CORA areas of study include Spine, Foot, Hip, Rheumatology, Neurology, Sports Medicine and Movement Science. They receive ample clinical interaction, research experience and mentorship within their field of interest, as well as other fields of their choosing.

Amareesa Robinson, a current CORA staff member, works with Scottish Rite’s spine experts. As a former Scottish Rite patient who had scoliosis, she is experiencing a full-circle moment by researching and collaborating with the spine team. She works closely with Assistant Chief of Staff Karl E. Rathjen, M.D., studying the use of tissue expanders to manage spinal deformities.

“What I love about researching spine conditions is the depth and complexity in the diagnoses and treatment methods,” Amareesa says. “Dr. Rathjen has served as a vital part of my experience and has taught me not only about research but also much about what goes into caring for patients with unique and complex conditions.”

As Amareesa’s CORA time wraps up, she is looking forward to a future in medicine. She was accepted into McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “My time at Scottish Rite has shaped the kind of physician I want to become,” Amareesa says. “I know I still have much to learn, but Scottish Rite has shown me the type of career I want to build.”

If you are interested in a career in medicine and plan to take a year or two off after college before applying to medical school, learn more about becoming a CORA at Scottish Rite careers. Applications for June 2026 positions are being accepted through spring of 2025 and can be found here. 

Chloe Races Toward Her Future

Chloe Races Toward Her Future

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Limb Lengthening, Prosthetics & Orthotics

Previously published in Rite Up, 2025 – Issue 1

“This is me, this is who I am, and I am not ashamed of it,” says 17-year-old Chloe, of Panhandle, Texas. She lives by this motto. With hopes of competing in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, she is a rising star in adaptive track and field.

Chloe was born with fibular hemimelia in her left leg. Her fibula, the small bone in her shin, was missing. Before her first birthday, she underwent a Syme’s amputation to remove her foot and ankle joint. Chloe began learning how to walk with a prosthesis.

“We did a lot of research before deciding to amputate her leg,” says Sheryl, Chloe’s mother. “We made a decision Chloe would live with for the rest of her life, not us. Whatever decision we made was never going to be an easy one, but it was whatever would make Chloe’s life easier.”

At age 14, Chloe began receiving multidisciplinary care at Scottish Rite for Children from pediatric orthopedic surgeon Corey S. Gill, M.D., M.A., and Orthotist and Prosthetist Manager Kelsey Thompson, C.P.O., L.P.O. As her care team worked alongside her to address her specific needs, Chloe transitioned from being a multisport athlete to dedicating her talents in adaptive track and field. 

She excels in running, throwing and long jumping, earning recognition as one of the 2024 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field High School Athletes of the Year.

On and off the field, Chloe’s care team supports her diverse interests. Scottish Rite prosthetists have created numerous state-of-the-art prostheses for her, including an everyday walking leg and a running blade for sprinting track events, designed to mimic the natural motion of a foot for running or jumping. Recently, the team produced a specialty prosthesis designed for long jumping, supporting her dream to go the distance and in her pursuit of Paralympic success. They also developed an adjustable heel height prosthesis to match the height of whatever shoes she chooses to wear — from cowboy boots to high heels. Chloe plans to major in kinesiology, continue adaptive track and field, and inspire other young athletes.

“Dr. Gill and Kelsey always believed in me,” Chloe says. “It feels amazing to run with kids who look like me. As long as I have my two legs, I’ll keep pushing forward and never let anything hold me back.”

Read the full issue.