Spotlight on veteran employees at Hendrick Health

In honor of Veterans Day, Hendrick Health recognizes four employees who served in the U.S. military. They bring a unique perspective to our healthcare mission, and we appreciate their commitment to our country.

Joseph Johnston
Admissions Manager
Hendrick Medical Center South and Lancaster Plaza

What are your day-to-day responsibilities? I manage a great team of admissions representatives who oversee front-end registrations for our patients.

Recap your military career. I served in the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard for a little more than 10 years. I served as an infantryman in the United States Army at Fort Wainwright, Alaska (2011 - 2016). In the Texas Army National Guard, I was a fire direction center (FDC) chief and section sergeant for the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry in Lubbock (2018-2021) and a senior recruiting and retention noncommissioned officer (NCO) for West Texas, based in Abilene (2021 - 2024).

Why did you become involved in healthcare? I chose to earn my master's degree in business administration (MBA) in healthcare because I knew healthcare would be a fast-paced environment and that learning and growing in this field would be continuous.

What brought you to Hendrick Health? I chose to join Hendrick because it is a large, growing system that impacts our community, and I wanted to be part of that.

What do you enjoy about being a part of Hendrick Health? I appreciate the camaraderie, aligned focus and goal to serve the community.

Nick Sanders, BSN, RN
Employee Wellness Nurse
Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood (HMCB)

What are your day-to-day responsibilities? I onboard every new employee at HMCB, ensure everyone is current on vaccines and mask fittings and conduct wellness screenings that qualify employees for insurance discounts. I also organize employee events like the softball tournament and trunk-or-treat for employees' families.

Recap your military career. Joining the U.S. Army gave me the chance to serve my country and grow as a person. I was a combat medic responsible for the health and well-being of every soldier in my unit. My assignments included working on the front line in Afghanistan with a unit based at U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz in Baumholder, Germany. My last duty station was White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Why did you become involved in healthcare? After being a medic, it was an easy transition to go to nursing school once I left the military. I studied at Texas Christian University to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing and become a registered nurse.

What brought you to Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood? My family moved back to my hometown of Comanche in 2024, and I found a job that I love here.

What do you enjoy about being a part of Hendrick Health? Everyone is close, and people take the time to get to know you.

Kelsey Sewell, BS, MLS
Technical Supervisor/Technical Consultant
Hendrick Regional Blood Center

What are your day-to-day responsibilities? They include overseeing blood center and mobile blood drive operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting staff development to maintain the highest standards of donor care and blood collection.

Recap your military career. I joined the U.S. Air Force in 2019 and have served at multiple duty locations across Texas, as well as assignments at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii. I currently serve in the Air Force Reserve as the noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of the 489th Aerospace Medical Diagnostic Flight at Dyess Air Force Base and hold the rank of technical sergeant.

Why did you become involved in healthcare? I discovered my passion for the laboratory through my military service. Joining during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic gave me a unique perspective on how laboratory medicine directly impacts patient care, diagnosis and treatment.

What brought you to Hendrick Health? I wanted to continue serving my community while advancing my career in laboratory medicine. Hendrick Health provided the opportunity to continue growing professionally through strong mentorship, training and leadership development.

What do you enjoy about being a part of Hendrick Health? The sense of community is what I enjoy most. I have built lifelong friendships, and the organization's commitment to empowering employees, encouraging professional development and investing in its people is something I haven't found anywhere else.

Kevin Silvestri
Admissions Supervisor, Centralized and OR Scheduling
Hendrick Service Center

What are your day-to-day responsibilities? I lead a stellar team of individuals who provide access for patients to receive diagnostic testing. After beginning my current role at the end of summer, I implemented a comprehensive aviation-themed engagement and recognition program for my staff that has become part of the culture. (We even have our own mascot: Ace the Aviator!)

Recap your military career. I served in the U.S. Air Force from 2004 - 2008 and was trained in food service, fitness, lodging and mortuary affairs. I had the opportunity to be one of the physical training leaders in my squadron, ensuring that we were fit for duty.

Why did you become involved in healthcare? I have always had a passion to help others. After my son was born with a traumatic brain injury, he stayed in Cook Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Fort Worth for 40 days. During that time, I had great interactions with clinical and nonclinical staff.

What brought you to Hendrick Health? My wife, Sabra, was already a staff member at Hendrick, which allowed me to see how great the people are at Hendrick. In December 2018, I was hired as a security officer at Hendrick. I then served in Patient Relations before moving into my current role.

What do you enjoy about being a part of Hendrick Health? Hendrick has a firm foundation in faith and the patient experience. These two elements align with my own convictions. I have the honor of bringing glory to God and providing the Hendrick experience every day. I get to motivate and empower staff to provide the best experience possible for the patients we serve.