Jamesha Castillo – Methodist Health System

When Jamesha Castillo began her career in healthcare, she never imagined that her path would lead her below the hospital floors—to the humming mechanical rooms, the steady thrum of boilers, and the intricate world of building systems that keep hospitals running. Originally set on becoming a nurse, Castillo earned top grades in her science prerequisites and was accepted into nursing school. But midway through her program, she realized her heart wasn’t in direct patient care.

“I wanted to work with my hands,” she recalls, “but not on human bodies.”

That decision led her to Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, where she became an administrative assistant to the director of plant operations. What began as clerical work soon became a gateway into the world of facilities management. When the materials management specialist retired, Castillo took on ordering supplies and parts. Her curiosity grew: what were these parts for? Why were they needed?

Her director, also president of the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), encouraged her to “learn the plant.” She took that advice to heart, spending her evenings watching webinars on chillers, air handling units, boilers, and plumbing systems. By day, she shadowed engineers during their rounds, asking questions and learning how each component contributed to a harmonized, efficient facility.

“I loved seeing how everything connected,” she says. “I knew then that this was my niche.”

Through diligence and curiosity, Castillo transitioned from administrative work into the technical and operational side of healthcare—a shift that would define her professional life.

Leadership in operations

Castillo’s foundation in facilities management took shape under the mentorship of seasoned leaders who taught her the value of networking, code compliance, and continuous learning. Those lessons proved invaluable when she joined JPS Health Network as a district safety officer.

At JPS, she oversaw the environment of care and life safety for 32 community clinics across Tarrant County. Her work included creating educational programs on safety and compliance, often finding creative ways to engage staff—like using laser-based fire extinguisher simulations and environmental awareness games.

“Becoming more knowledgeable about NFPA, ANSI/ASHRAE, and other regulatory standards prepared me for leadership,” Castillo explains. “It helped me understand how everything connects—from facility operations to patient safety.”

That comprehensive perspective paved the way for her leadership role at Methodist Health System, a leading healthcare provider serving communities across North Texas through a network of hospitals, specialty centers, and clinics. Methodist’s mission—to improve and save lives through compassionate, quality care—relies on teams like Castillo’s to ensure that every building and system operates flawlessly, supporting both staff and patients.

At Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Castillo served as the manager of facilities engineering and safety officer, overseeing 21 team members responsible for maintaining mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as groundskeeping and equipment operations. She recently accepted a new role at Methodist Hospital for Surgery, where she oversees facilities, safety, environmental services, security, and biomedical engineering. She is also preparing to assume the position of director of facilities and specialized operations groups after her mentor, John Fabela, retires.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to carry the torch,” she says. “Learning from someone who’s been here since the foundation was poured has been incredible.”

Solving challenges with grit & teamwork

Among the most complex projects Castillo has managed are system replacements that test the limits of both equipment and people. At Methodist Charlton, a boiler replacement project required the installation of four new boilers and a new DA tank—critical systems that feed the hospital’s heating and sterilization needs.

Though the project was already underway when she arrived, Castillo made sure her technicians learned how to maintain and operate the new systems.

“Every building has a personality,” she says. “You have to learn how the new equipment behaves once it’s integrated into an older structure.”

The air handler replacement posed even greater challenges—especially in the Texas heat. Removing and replacing large systems meant temporary discomfort for hospital departments. Castillo’s team collaborated with contractors and vendors like TX Air Systems to provide spot coolers, redirect heat, and complete the work with minimal disruption.

“Teamwork was everything,” Castillo recalls. “It wasn’t just about replacing machinery—it was about ensuring that every patient, visitor, and staff member remained comfortable and safe.”

Her approach to leadership emphasizes empowerment and respect for the behind-the-scenes heroes who make healthcare possible. She knows firsthand that maintenance and engineering teams often operate out of sight and out of mind.

“They’re on the lowest floor of the hospital, but they’re the backbone,” she says. “I make it my mission to make their work visible—to help clinical staff see how vital they are.”

She invests in her people through education, mentorship, and connection. Whether encouraging technicians to pursue certifications through ASHE or local technical programs, or fostering open communication across departments, Castillo focuses on building a culture of appreciation and professional growth.

“We have to bridge the gap between generations,” she says. “When baby boomers retire, there won’t be enough qualified technicians to replace them. It’s up to us to train the next wave.”

Leading with purpose

In her new role at Methodist Hospital for Surgery, Castillo is applying lessons from across her career to a broader scope—balancing technical oversight with leadership, sustainability, and innovation. She ensures that preventative maintenance is executed through Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) such as FSI, TMS, and ATG, which automate compliance and maximize equipment longevity.

Her certifications—Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) and Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM)—provide the framework for how she approaches operations: with a deep respect for regulatory alignment and patient-centered outcomes.

“Facilities, maintenance, and safety all share one goal,” she says, “to create the safest environment possible for patients and staff.”

She also prioritizes education at the executive level, taking every opportunity to inform the C-suite about the vital role facilities management plays in healthcare.

“The best way to educate leadership is to invite them in,” she explains. “When they see the systems, they can understand how HVAC impacts infection control, and they realize how critical our work is.”

That same spirit of education and mentorship drives Castillo’s work outside of healthcare as well. As founder and CEO of Xpress Haven Art Center, she supports youth in underserved communities through mentorship, creativity, and personal development. The name—an acronym for *Xcellence on Purpose Reinforcing Education to Support Success*—reflects her philosophy that success is born from persistence and intention.

Raised in Oak Cliff, a working-class neighborhood in Dallas, Castillo knows what it means to persevere. As a single mother, she spent long hours on buses and trains—sometimes eight hours a day—commuting with her daughter through the Texas extreme heat, rain and snow.

“It was hard,” she says, “but I knew I had to keep going, not just for me, but for her—and for every kid who might one day hear my story.”

Through Xpress Haven, Castillo gives back to those same communities, helping children believe in their potential.

“You really can do whatever you want to do if you just keep going,” she says—a mantra that has guided every step of her own remarkable journey.

The heart behind the hardware

What began as a detour from nursing school has become a mission built on resilience, curiosity, and heart. Castillo’s story reflects not just a personal transformation, but the essence of modern healthcare facilities leadership: technical excellence guided by compassion and purpose.

At Methodist Health System, she’s helping ensure that the lights stay on, the air flows clean, and the environment remains safe—all while inspiring her team and her community to strive for more.

“I’ve learned that success isn’t just about the systems you run,” Castillo says. “It’s about the people you lead, the lives you touch, and the legacy you build along the way.”