100 Most Influential People in Healthcare - 2024

Since being selected to lead Houston-based Memorial Hermann in 2019, Callender has implemented initiatives that have improved care while reducing costs. Efforts have focused on decreasing lengths of stay, improving quality measures and raising patient satisfaction scores. This year, in partnership with the Aldine Independent School District, based in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, and with a $31 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Memorial Herman in September opened the doors at the Health Education and Leadership High School. The school has a blended curriculum that offers economically disadvantaged students exposure to healthcare careers through five pathways: nursing, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, medical imaging and nonclinical administration. Before joining Memorial Hermann, Callender spent 12 years as president of UTMB Health and held executive roles at the UCLA Hospital System and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.