Juan Olivares, Jr., MD

Juan Olivares, Jr. MD

Director of Pediatrics, Vecino Health Centers

 

Education: Board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Olivares earned his medical degree in 2008 from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In 2011, he completed his residency at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston, further honing his expertise in providing compassionate care to children and adolescents.

Before his medical training, Dr. Olivares attended Trinity University, graduating Cum Laude in 2004. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Religion.

Background – Dr. Olivares is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Texas Pediatric Society. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and recognitions for his exceptional contributions to the medical community. In 2011 he was honored with the Gold Foundation Resident Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award. In the summer of 2005, he served as the Community Health Research Fellow. Additionally, he received the Resident Teaching Award in 2009 and 2010, underscoring his commitment to medical education and mentorship.

Dr. Olivares is fluent in English and Spanish.

Daniel Montez

Daniel Montez

Chief Executive Officer, Vecino Health Centers

Mr. Montez is the visionary founder of Vecino Health Centers, establishing the organization in 2001 alongside a group of local pastors in the Houston community of Denver Harbor. Together, they shared a commitment to address the pressing issue of limited access to medical care faced by the community’s 20,000 residents, who were often forced to rely on emergency rooms for basic healthcare needs.

Education – Mr. Montez’s academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, providing him with a strong financial and analytical skill set that he applies to healthcare leadership.

Background – Before his work to establish Vecino, Mr. Montez amassed over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field. Notable positions include serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Universal Health Plan, a Medicaid Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), and fulfilling various roles for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. During his tenure with the university, he was Assistant Director for the Sponsored Projects Office and served as the Administrator/CFO for UT’s Houston Recovery Campus, the largest substance abuse facility in Harris County.

In recognition of his contributions to Houston, Mr. Montez has been honored with the 2005 St. Luke’s Leadership Award from St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities in Houston, the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award in 2007, and the 2009 University of Texas School of Public Health Leadership Luminaries in Public Health Award.

Shelia Latting-Young

Shelia Latting-Young

Chief Financial Officer, Vecino Health Centers

Shelia Latting-Young is an accomplished accounting and financial leadership professional with over 25 years of experience. As the Chief Financial Officer for Vecino Health Centers, she brings expertise in managing multi-billion dollar budgets. Ms. Latting-Young has a proven track record of developing high-performing teams, overseeing audits, and fostering collaboration. Her deep understanding of cost analysis, expense control, and implementing best practices contributes to enhancing overall return on investment (ROI).

Education – Ms. Latting-Young holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Concordia University.  She has also completed several specialized training programs, including TACHC Leadership Training, NACHC CFO Institute CFO Certification Training, Texas Fiscal Officer’s Academy AFR Manager Training, and Public Purchasing & Workforce Training.

Background – With prior experience as CFO for two health centers in Houston, Ms. Latting-Young is well-versed in the unique opportunities and challenges community health centers face. She has been actively involved in professional affiliations throughout her career, including serving as Vice Chair of the Accounting Career Awareness Program at the National Association of Black Accountants from 1990 to 2002. Additionally, she co-founded the Accounting Career Awareness Program Youth College Prep Program from 1990 to 2001.

Enjoli Benitez, MD

Enjoli Benitez, MD

Chief Medical Officer, Vecino Health Centers

Dr. Benitez is an esteemed medical professional who leads the medical staff at Vecino Health Centers. With a significant portion of her career dedicated to Vecino, she brings an unwavering commitment to upholding quality standards and a passion for advocating for community health.

Education: Board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Benitez earned her medical degree from the University of Texas HSC Houston. Additionally, she holds a Masters in Public Health with a focus on community medicine, demonstrating her dedication to addressing public health issues. Dr. Benitez completed her family medicine residency at Houston Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency, which is housed at Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Health Center.

Background: Dr. Benitez joined Vecino Health Centers in 2013, initially serving as an attending physician at the Denver Harbor Family Clinic. During the same year, she became a faculty member of the Houston Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program and held the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor at Texas A&M. Within Vecino she has taken on various leadership roles, including Program Evaluation Committee Chair and Faculty Leader for the Denver Harbor Clinic Prenatal Program. In recognition of her dedication and contributions, Dr. Benitez received the esteemed New Faculty Scholar Award from the Society of Teachers in Family Medicine in 2017.

Assuming the role of Chief Medical Officer at Vecino in 2019, Dr. Benitez now leads with her wealth of knowledge, experience, and a steadfast commitment to providing exceptional medical care and advancing the mission of Vecino Health Centers.

Cherry A. Pierson, MBA

Board of Directors

Cherry A. Pierson, MBA

Program Manager, Board Governance

Harris Health System

Cherry Pierson strongly advocates for quality healthcare services for all individuals and populations. As program manager for the Harris Health System Board of Trustees, she keenly understands the importance of making care available to Houston’s underserved populations. She joins Vecino’s board of directors in 2023, bringing strengths in problem-solving, communication, and strategic support.

Cherry is grateful for the opportunity to contribute and impact lives through her involvement with the board of directors.

E. Phileda Tennant, Director

Board of Directors

E. Phileda Tennant, Treasurer

Senior Associate, Vinson  & Elkins, LLP

Phileda Tennant grew up in rural South Texas and after witnessing the difficulties associated with a lack of access to health care in rural areas, Phileda now brings her legal expertise to Vecino’s board of directors to help ensure health care is accessible to all Houstonians.

Phileda received a BA in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Brown University, and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School. She is a senior associate in the Employment, Labor & OSHA group of international law firm Vinson and Elkins LLP, based in Houston, Texas. Phileda is carrying on the V&E tradition of pro bono support for Vecino, as well as the firm’s longstanding representation on Vecino’s board of directors.