Why I Came, Why I Stayed: Lupita Hernandez has grown personally and professionally over 15-plus years at Methodist

In “Why I Came, Why I Stayed,” you’ll get to know people who are making a difference every day at Methodist and how they contribute to providing The Meaning of Care. To explore career opportunities at Methodist, visit bestcare.org/jobs.

Lupita Hernandez 
Director of Environmental Services 
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital

Tell us more about yourself.

I’m the director of Environmental Services (EVS) at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. I’m originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, and I came to the United States 22 years ago without speaking English. I started my journey working in a restaurant while taking basic English classes to improve myself and build a better future.

I met my husband during my time working at that restaurant. We built our life together, and we’ve now been married for 20 years and have three kids.

Over time, I continued to grow by taking income tax classes and working for Jackson Hewitt, and working full time in EVS at Methodist. I joined Methodist in 2010 at Methodist Women’s Hospital. Within one year I was promoted to lead, which motivated me to keep growing in my career. In 2021, I applied for the EVS director position at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, which became a major milestone in my personal journey.

In 2021, I also started my own party bus business, CJ’s Party Bus LLC, with my friend and just one bus. Today, I’m proud to say that the business has grown to four buses. I enjoy it very much, especially because I am very social and love connecting with people.

I have been blessed with a strong family: my mother, my two brothers and all my nieces and nephews. My husband, Enrique Ledesma, has been my biggest support and has played a very important role in helping me succeed personally and professionally.

I’m a proud mother of three children: Hailey (19), Sebastian (12) and Fernanda (4).

My oldest daughter currently works as a CNA at Jennie Edmundson and is attending Nebraska Methodist College, where she is studying to become a nurse. My family has been my biggest motivation and support system throughout my entire journey. 

Outside of work, I am very social and I enjoy spending time with friends. I love traveling to Mexico and reconnecting with my roots and friendships.

At home, my 12-year-old son plays soccer, and I try not to miss any of his games. I’m that loud mom on the field – the one who brings energy and cheers nonstop. And, yes, maybe even the opposing team remembers me as the rowdy mom. My son loves it, and my husband always says it’s a great way for me to release stress and energy in a positive way.

What brought you to Methodist?

I chose Methodist because it gave me opportunity, growth and belief in my potential. It’s a place where I was able to start from the ground level and develop my career step by step. Methodist saw my work ethic and dedication, and it gave me the opportunity to grow into leadership roles.

What attracted me the most to Methodist was the culture of growth and opportunity. I saw that hard work was recognized and that people were given chances to advance, regardless of where they started.

I was also inspired by the strong values of patient care and teamwork. In EVS, our work has purpose and impact in patient safety, patient experience and the overall hospital environment.

What’s kept you here?

What keeps me at Methodist is the people, the mission and the opportunity to make a difference every day. I believe in what we do and the impact we have on patients, families and staff. 

I also stay because of the support I have received throughout my journey from leaders who believed in me and the teams who work hard every day. Methodist isn’t just a workplace for me. It’s part of my professional and personal growth.

As a leader, I’m often known for holding high standards and being very detail oriented when it comes to expectations and performance. This comes from my strong commitment to patient safety and quality of work. In EVS, I believe there is no room for shortcuts because even small details can impact patient and staff safety. My expectations are high, but they are always grounded in support, training and making sure my team has what they need to succeed. My goal is not to be “strict,” but to ensure we are protecting our patients, staff and hospital environment at the highest level.

Do you have any favorite Methodist memories?

One of the most memorable moments happened during a very challenging time. I was pregnant, we were extremely short staffed, and I was taking out trash with two 96-gallon bins. I was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed riding in the elevator when a gentleman stepped in.

Even though I was stressed, I remembered our values and decided to ask him how this day was going. He told me that his wife was in critical condition and he needed to inform his family but didn’t know how.

In that moment, everything changed for me. I realized that my frustration was nothing compared to what he was going through. It reminded me that we must always lead with empathy and remember that every person we encounter is facing something we may not see.

Have you had a mentor or colleague who has stood out during your time here?

I’ve been very fortunate to have many mentors and supportive leaders throughout my journey.

My former director, Bill Vobejda, and my new director, Shanna Stofer, both supported my growth and leadership development. My previous director at Women’s Hospital, Lori Hrbek, played a very important role in my career by encouraging me to apply for the director position. She challenged me to overcome my own limitations, especially related to feeling insecure about English being my second language.

I’m also very grateful to Maria Vasquez and Teresa Clapper, my coordinators, who are extremely dedicated and essential to our daily operations. I would not be successful without them.

I also appreciate Jennie Edmundson vice president Jenene VandenBurg and all the Jennie leadership team for their continuous support and guidance.

What should people know about Methodist?

I want people to know that Methodist is a place where people matter, where teamwork is valued and where patient care is always the priority.

The mission and culture of Methodist are built on respect, excellence, patient-centered care, community service and teamwork. These values are not just words; they are practiced every day by our teams.

Methodist is a place where you can grow, be supported and make a real difference. For me personally, it has been a place of opportunity, transformation and purpose.