A
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.
,
Dallas
,
TX
75235
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- Main Retail Café: Mon - Sun | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Starbucks Café: WISH Building | Mon - Fri | 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Park Market Café: Mon - Fri | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. | Sat -Sun | 7 p.m. - 4 a.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- 214-590-8831
- Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday: Closed
- Holiday hours may be different
Posted: 6/7/2016
Lifelong dream inspired by grandmother, aunts
It was a foregone conclusion that Alton Thompson would have a career in the medical field. After all, his grandmother and three aunts between them have nearly 100 years as pharmacists. But while Thompson applauds what his relatives have accomplished, he’s set his sights on becoming a physician with direct patient care.
He’ll take the next step on that journey when he enters Baylor College of Medicine in July. Until classes begin, Thompson has plenty of patient interaction as a manager in Environmental Services with Crothall Healthcare, a partner at Parkland Health & Hospital System.
“My goal has always been to attend medical school and specialize in cardiology,” says the 24-year-old Thompson, who noted he took time away from school to garner work experience and to “save money.”
That desire was born from his time at Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston. Named after the famed heart surgeon, DeBakey does not automatically accept students from the surrounding neighborhood. Instead, nearly 1,200 students take entrance exams for the coveted 200 to 300 spots each year. Thompson was one of those lucky enough to be selected.
While attending the prestigious school Thompson rotated through several medical specialties including cardiology and witnessed three open heart surgeries. Perhaps the biggest impact on his decision to become a cardiologist was meeting the school’s namesake.
“I was honored to have a chance to meet Dr. DeBakey,” Thompson recalled. “I was able to ask a lot of questions and he gave me a lot of insight. It was a great experience, one that I will always remember.”
And while his time in high school played a great part in his future career choice, his two years at Parkland and Crothall Healthcare have provided him with a wealth of knowledge that can only be obtained in a large public, academic medical center. Tasked with overseeing those employees who clean the top four floors of the hospital, Thompson gained a greater understanding of hospital operations including admissions, discharges and everything in between.
“Even though my job has been ensuring areas are clean, at the end of the day it’s all about the patients,” he said. “Because Parkland’s patients are so diverse, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about different cultures, ethnicities and communication styles. By watching physicians, nurses and others at Parkland, I’ve seen how they interact with patients who are in their most vulnerable state. It’s given me a greater appreciation for the work that takes place every day.”
Although just beginning his medical school journey, Thompson has set his sights on where he wants that path to lead.
“I’d like to start off in a public hospital, hopefully Parkland, and then maybe see what it’s like working in a private hospital. But at the same time I want to be gaining plenty of management experience,” he said, noting that he plans to “work his way into the ‘C-Suite.’”
Learn more about careers at Parkland.