Ivan Leon has always been a helper, someone who facilitates communication and bridges gaps. First it was through his job as an EMS dispatcher, then manager of the EMS dispatch center. More recently he moved into a human resources role and joined the UT Health East Texas Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, where he feels his work is only just beginning.
Leon started his healthcare career as a 911 dispatcher after seeing the position advertised in his local newspaper right after he graduated high school.
“I said, ‘Let’s see what that’s all about,’ and I loved it. I loved the career, I loved working with people and loved helping people,” Leon said. Eventually he worked his way into a supervisory role as manager of the 911 dispatch center. But after 18 years in the high-stress, fast-paced, often emotional world of EMS dispatch, Leon said he knew he needed a change.
HR seemed like a natural fit, he said, given what he loved about being a manager. “I realized I enjoy doing the people side of it. I enjoyed meeting with my staff and getting to know them on a personal level,” he said. “I realized that HR is all about being that voice for those employees, getting to know your staff, getting to know who they really are.”
With support from his peers and HR leaders in the company, Leon accepted a human resources business partner position two years ago and has enjoyed helping managers and employees alike. “We’re that link to the employee and manager and vice versa,” he said. “We are a partner to our employees.”
It was around that time that Leon also joined the DEI Council. He admits he was skeptical at first, but has since come to see the difference the group is making.
“I wasn’t sure if this was something that they were trying to check a box with,” Leon said. “But when I started really getting involved, it opened up my eyes to see who I truly was on the inside and what I have to offer. It opened up my eyes to our community, our hospital system and what can I do to help DEI to be successful.”
Leon acknowledges there is still much work to be done, but he also celebrates the success the council has achieved in a few short years.
“I truly think that we have really opened the eyes of some people as we’re becoming more inclusive to everyone. Being more inclusive means a lot to people,” Leon said. “It’s moving to me to know that people are being accepted here. To me, that means the DEI group is doing what we’re supposed to be doing, which is educating people about what DEI really is.”