PROMOTIONS ACROSS THE SYSTEM

METHODIST HOSPITAL | TEXSAN WELCOMES ESTHER KWON AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Esther Kwon joins Methodist Healthcare after serving as Chief Operating Officer for St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Esther has held several other administrative roles throughout her career since 2012.

During her time as COO, Esther led 16 hospital departments and services with more than 400 full-time employees, and played an instrumental role in leading the hospital through multiple regulatory and emergency operation situations, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through her leadership, she helped position St. David’s Medical Center as one of HCA Healthcare’s top-performing comprehensive joint replacement programs, grew the hospital’s surgical oncology program, and spearheaded the effort to become one of five facilities in the nation to be designated as a Pancreatic and Liver Center of Excellence. Additionally, Esther oversaw more than $100 million in capital projects and facility renovations and expansions, including the buildout of a $72-million Electrophysiology Center.

Esther earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration from The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, with a minor in economics, and she received her master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Kwon is a member of the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas Board of Directors, as well as a mentor for the St. David’s Foundation Neal Kocurek Scholarship program.

METHODIST HOSPITAL | SPECIALTY AND TRANSPLANT APPOINTS NEW ASSOCIATE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER

Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant has appointed Paulette Woodard, DNP, MHA, RN CCM as their Associate Chief Nursing Officer. Previously, Paulette served as the Vice President of Clinical Operations for this hospital. She has over 10 years of progressive healthcare experience, starting in healthcare as a food and nutrition worker, an ICU nurse, insurance, the Wounded Warrior project at Fort Sam Houston Military Base as a case manager, and as a host of other leadership positions in healthcare. Paulette earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University, and both her Masters in Healthcare Administration and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Texas Tech University.

During her time as the VP of Clinical Operations, Paulette collaborated with the SAPD Prue substation that resulted in better relations with the officers and ensured MHST was protected against acts of violence against staff. With the director of the Emergency Department, she helped stabilize processes, staff relations, and operations in the ED. Paulette works collaboratively with our unit-based councils for both nurses and techs and conducted a Nurse Resiliency project that looked at assimilation of new nurses into their nursing environment, experience with preceptors and identified areas of concerns with resolution to improve their sense of safety, support, and belonging.

Paulette was recently accepted into the Class of 2024 Executive Development Program based on her track record of success, leadership skills and drive to succeed. She has been instrumental in the successful operations at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant.