Kendal Dockery Thompson
Kendal Dockery Thompson is a dedicated healthcare recruiter with CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, Texas. After beginning her professional journey in education, teaching second grade at a Title I school for seven years, and running a successful photography business for over 15 years with international recognition, Kendall discovered her passion for connecting people with meaningful careers. She leverages her diverse background to bring empathy, insight, and resilience to the healthcare talent acquisition process.
In her current role, Kendall focuses on recruiting for a wide array of clinical and non-clinical positions, including radiology, respiratory, laboratory, and patient access roles. Working in a hybrid model, she partners closely with hospital leadership to strengthen teams across the region, guiding candidates through the hiring process while navigating complex compensation expectations. Her approach emphasizes relationship-building, transparency, and a deep understanding of both candidate and organizational needs, helping ensure that each new hire is a strong fit for the hospital’s mission-driven environment.
Outside of her professional life, Kendall is committed to family, balance, and community engagement. She actively participates in the Junior League of Texarkana, enjoys gardening, and previously trained for half marathons. Her story exemplifies adaptability, empathy, and the value of career reinvention, showcasing how diverse experiences—from teaching to entrepreneurship to recruitment—can converge to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry.
• RISE CHRISTUS Mentorship - Mentee
• Texas A&M University-Texarkana - B.A.Sc.
• Best Photographer Awards
• Junior League Of Texarkana
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to read people effectively, consistently build and nurture meaningful relationships, and collaborate within a supportive, high-performing team.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to be strategic about my qualifications. An advisor cautioned that pursuing only the alternative certification might limit my hiring opportunities. In response, I completed a BAAS degree alongside the I Teach Texas program to strengthen my credentials and improve my prospects.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to prioritize networking. Building meaningful connections is crucial, because often opportunities come not just from what you know, but from who you know.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is filling hard-to-staff clinical and ancillary roles, such as pharmacy and radiology, because candidates often expect compensation aligned with larger cities. Geographic pay differentials can make recruitment difficult. At the same time, there’s a significant opportunity to attract experienced professionals who value the slower pace and quality-of-life benefits that smaller cities offer.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life include maintaining a healthy work–life balance, prioritizing family, fostering strong teamwork, honoring faith and spiritual beliefs, and cultivating meaningful relationships.