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Get to Know Our Staff: Michelle Kimbrough, Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine

Get to Know Our Staff: Michelle Kimbrough, Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine

by | May 7, 2025 | Neurology, Spotlight

What is your job title at Scottish Rite?
I am a registered nurse for the Neurology and Rehabilitation department. I assist the providers in caring for our patients. I assess patients’ needs and coordinate with other departments within Scottish Rite, such as Orthotics and Prosthetics, Child Life, Family Services, among others. I also work with the families to explain our discharge instructions.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is seeing our patients be happy and live life to the fullest, regardless of if they have physical limitations. They always have such positive attitudes, and their spirits really uplift me. I’m so grateful to be part of their journey!

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
I love the teamwork here, and I work with such a great group of nurses. I love how all of the departments at Scottish Rite unite to provide optimal care for our patients. Our patient population is also very unique. Despite their conditions, they still remain positive.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I have always had a heart to help others.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
One of the unique things I do is go into surgery with Dr. Reyes twice a month. I help with the botoluinum toxin injection procedures.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I love spending time with my family and friends.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I like to sing. I also play a little piano (emphasis on little).

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I’m originally from Palestine, Texas. When I began working in the NICU at another institution, I came to DFW in 2008.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to Paris, because it seems to be a beautiful and romantic place to visit with the different attractions and historical landmarks. I hear the food is amazing too!

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I love a good, juicy steak and buttery dinner rolls. I also love any type of chocolate dessert, brownies, warm chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“Imitation of Life”

What was the first concert you attended?
I saw Luther Vandross and En Vogue.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
Brunch Room Bistro in Forney, Texas. The food is great, and the atmosphere is a vibe!

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
I would choose Sanaa Lathan or Taraji P. Henson.

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
I would tell my younger self to listen to your parents because they know what they are talking about!

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.

Get to Know Our Staff: Marida Williams, Psychology

Get to Know Our Staff: Marida Williams, Psychology

by | Apr 23, 2025 | Psychology, Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a mental health navigator for the Psychology department. I assess patients’ mental health risk through consultations and interventions to provide families with resources for their children.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
I get to meet new patients and help them in their care journeys toward achieving mental health stability.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
I have made connections with the staff and physicians, which helps ensure that all patients receive quality care.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I have a passion for helping others, so it feels like health care naturally chose me.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
Whenever a patient has mental health needs, I am the first person who connects with their family. Because of this, I get to set the tone for the level of care they will receive at Scottish Rite from the rest of the staff.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. We create memories together that will last a lifetime.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I can sing.

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I am originally from Detroit, Michigan. The hotter weather and new experiences brought me to the DFW area.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would choose to go to Ghana. I would love to experience the culture there and take my kiddos with me.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I choose salmon. I know how to prepare it a thousand different ways, and I would never get tired of eating it.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
I think people should watch “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2” because those movies explain mental health in a great way.

What was the first concert you attended?
I saw Allen Stone in Chicago, Illinois in 2013.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
The Peach Cobbler Factory in Richardson.

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

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
You should enjoy life to the fullest and make every moment count!

Get to Know Our Staff: Ila Oxendine, Research

Get to Know Our Staff: Ila Oxendine, Research

by | Apr 16, 2025 | Research & Innovation, Spotlight, Uncategorized

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a cell and tissue core coordinator, and I maintain the operations of cell culture facilities at the hospital. I also work with research labs that perform various experiments and procedures. Currently, the Cellular Path Lab is enthusiastically engaging in the world of histology procedures.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
In research, learning is a never-ending process that is always engaging to me.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
To me, Scottish Rite is a special place because of the unwavering support from my colleagues. Their kindness, thoughtfulness and camaraderie has always been a source of strength to me over the past 15 years. Together, we have navigated the joys and challenges of life. I could not have reached this point or achieved this much without their support and love. I am profoundly grateful to have such caring souls by my side.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I chose health care to have the opportunity to help people. In my case, I get to do that one experiment at a time.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
I care for cells that grow in little dishes. These cells will be used in future experiments to answer questions and potentially lead to more questions about the cell’s life.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I have many favorite things! I love my two fur babies, which is my dog named AnnaRose and my cat named Panda. I am very thankful for them. Also, I enjoy volunteering at Dallas Animal Services and Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Some people may disagree, but my talent is making people laugh in my own way.

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I was already in the DFW area, because I am indigenous to the land. I am full-blooded Native American. My mother is from the Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma, and my father is from the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
First off, I need to do my travel! On my bucket list, I want to visit the Galapagos Islands, because it’s a unique place with plants and animals found nowhere else in the world.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would eat plain oatmeal with quinoa, hempseeds, flax meal, walnuts, pecans and a dollop of no palm oil peanut butter. I would also include fresh fruit with a strong coffee made from Kona beans. Then, I would finish my meal with a pound cake that I bake.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“John Wick” because you should never mess with someone’s dog.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
Cedar Ridge Preserve. I love all trails.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Meryl Streep. She has a very expressive face, and she is very talented.

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
There are two questions that you should ask yourself that have served me well. Is it worth the fight? If so, can you win? To me, my answer will be yes and yes!

Get to Know Our Staff: Julie Rogers, Family Services

Get to Know Our Staff: Julie Rogers, Family Services

by | Apr 9, 2025 | Spotlight

What is your job title?
Social work manager

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
I help the most vulnerable populations get access to services and resources that will help their families.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
The willingness of all staff members to help our patient families 

What made you choose a career in health care?
I wasn’t necessarily looking for a career in health care. I was more drawn to working somewhere I could make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
Social workers serve as the connection between Scottish Rite patients and families and all providers or services involved in their care, whether those are within Scottish Rite or part of an outside organization.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy relaxing and spending time with my son and the rest of my family. I also love to read.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I think I’m pretty good at impressions.

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I was born and raised in a Dallas suburb.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Italy. I’ve heard the food is amazing.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably something with peanut butter

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“My Best Friend’s Wedding”

What was the first concert you attended?
NSYNC

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
Whistle Britches, because they have the best chicken and waffles in DFW.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
I’ve been told by others that I look like Zoe Saldaña. I think she would do me justice.

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Keep hope alive.

Get to Know Our Staff: Justin Williams, Sterile Processing

Get to Know Our Staff: Justin Williams, Sterile Processing

by | Apr 2, 2025 | Spotlight

What is your job title/role at Scottish Rite?
I am a sterile processing lead technician and instrument specialist. I ensure all surgical instruments are readily available and properly organized for procedures. I also support the Surgery team by maintaining, inspecting and troubleshooting instrument trays before and after surgery.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most fulfilling part about my job is that I’m part of a team that is on the front line to ensure patients have a clean and successful surgery.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
Scottish Rite is a special place because the staff genuinely cares for the families. When facing the concern of their child having surgery, the staff works hard to ensure that surgery is one less thing they must worry about in their lives.

What made you choose a career in health care?
Honestly, I feel like health care chose me. When I first started at Scottish Rite, I worked in Environmental Services. I decided to challenge myself and transfer to my current department, beginning this new chapter in life.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
A unique part of my job is that I am involved in multiple stages of the surgery process. Before surgery, I see the implants and instruments that need to be organized and sterilized. During surgery, I’m called to the operating room to help with any issues with the instruments or power equipment. After surgery, I am a part of the cleaning process.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy having skate days with my son and my two girls, as well as relaxing at home with my Frenchie, Shady.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I build custom roller skates.

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I’m originally from Dallas, raised in the Pleasant Grove and South Dallas area.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would visit the Fiji islands. It is a beautiful place to see, especially in pictures, and I’ve always wanted to experience it in person.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I would pick lasagna and fries, which are two of my all-time favorites. They never get old!

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“Life,” featuring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.

What was the first concert you attended?
The Funk Fest tour.

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
K-Pop Ramen.

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

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Don’t take on too much too early. Just travel, and don’t rush life.