About the last twist in Jorge Calderón’s life that he expected was to be a 38-year-old father of two sons and confronting a brain tumor diagnosis. But that was exactly what the highly successful financial executive – currently Dallas Market President for Capital One Bank – faced 20 years ago.

For Mr. Calderón – born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, who did his undergraduate work at Penn State University before coming to Dallas as an industrial engineer while earning an M.B.A. – it was during his time as a corporate banker that he was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a tumor on the balance and auditory nerves leading from the inner ear to the brain.

He turned to two of the most accomplished neurosurgeons in Texas, UT Southwestern Medical Center Professor Emeritus Bruce Mickey, M.D., and Professor Emeritus Duke Sampson, M.D., who successfully treated the tumor.

“I will be forever grateful to UT Southwestern whose care, treatment, and expertise handed me – a 38-year-old husband and father – the gift of renewed life,” Mr. Calderón said.

He recently took time away from his busy professional life to elaborate on his connection to UT Southwestern, how he feels it’s the “best in class” when it comes to research and academic offerings, as well as its full-service care. He also anticipates translating his positive patient experience to his role on the President’s Advisory Board, the group that advises President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D. and the institution’s leadership on opportunities to advance its mission.

What were the qualities and aspects of UT Southwestern's care that most resonated during and after your successful treatment for your brain tumor?

Definitely the expertise, and the genuine and thorough care by the entire team of doctors who not only initially treated me, but with their follow up over the years.

What attributes from your extensive financial services career do you feel play a key role in your participation in the President's Advisory Board?

I've been a proud Dallasite for 30 years. In my role as Dallas Market President at Capital One, I have the opportunity to work with local nonprofit partners and see and hear the needs surrounding our community and leverage the scale and resources of Capital One to make a difference. Along with my own experience as a patient, I'm eager to serve as a sounding board and support the experienced and very talented executive team.

As a former patient of UT Southwestern, who continues to receive your full health care from the institution, what special perspectives can you bring to the Patient Services Committee?

I have been very blessed to be cared for as a patient by the UT Southwestern Medical Center system for over 18 years. I have also lived through the emotions associated with a potential end of life scenario, while caring for my young children. The waiting, anticipation, test results, care, treatments, and the good and bad news have all allowed me to understand patient advocacy from a real and impactful personal perspective.

What did you find, because of your experiences as a patient at UT Southwestern, that truly distinguishes and elevates patient care at the Medical Center, and how does it distinguish itself when compared to other health care providers across Texas?

Definitely the personal touch from the staff and the providers. I would also add that the storied culture of our research and teachings is a key factor. Our teaching professionals, scientists, and support team not only teach others, but they practice and stay current in their clinics and real-world solutions.

How excited are you about the new pediatric campus that UT Southwestern is building and how much of a key role it will play in helping meet the urgent health care needs of North Texas' underserved communities?

I am very excited that we will increase our capacity and partner with a first-class partner like Children's. The new facility will be a world-class campus and it will serve those communities in our great city, where resources, health, and education have been absent for many years.

• Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O'Bryan Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presidential Chair in Academic Administration, and the Doris and Bryan Wildenthal Distinguished Chair in Medical Science.