Mesquite ISD

Poteet High School
Class of 2008

Meet Collin Buford, System Vice President of Employee Health at Baylor Scott & White. In his role, Buford ensures all patients receive top-notch care from qualified caregivers, which involves overseeing various screenings for over 52,000 employees in the organization. Despite not knowing what career path he wanted to take growing up, he always knew healthcare was his end goal. At 19, Buford served as a patient care technician/nursing assistant in orthopedics at Baylor University Medical Center. That role built a strong foundation for him in the healthcare industry, where he has served in various capacities, including administrative assistant, credentialing coordinator, operations manager, director, and now, VP. 

Igniting a Passion
Buford’s passion for healthcare was ignited after experiencing the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the patient having 18 surgeries, a traumatic brain injury, spinal fusion, and total facial reconstruction. After that, he knew he wanted to dedicate his career to helping others.

As the VP of Employee Health, Buford and his team oversee all employee screenings, including drug testing, vaccine-preventable disease programs, high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) exposures, and more. His work requires him to collaborate with various departments across Baylor Scott & White - from senior leadership to human resources and everything in between. 

Although employee health isn’t considered a “glamorous” role, he sees it as a vital aspect of patient care and safety. By supporting caregivers behind the scenes, Buford and his team directly impact the patient experience across Baylor Scott & White. 

Advice from Collin to Current Students
“It’s important to remember that there isn’t one 'right' path after graduation. For some, going to college right away makes sense, but for others, gaining work experience first may be a better fit. Many employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement programs to help fund your education later on,” says Buford. 

“I started my career in healthcare at 19 without knowing exactly what direction I wanted to go. Over time, I learned that it’s perfectly okay to start, pause, and restart your journey until you find what truly fits you. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. If you’re unsure about what you want to do, that’s normal. The only way to discover your passion is by trying different things. Every step, whether big or small, is progress toward figuring out where you belong.” 

Favorite High School Memory
“Being president of the Poteet DECA chapter. Through DECA and the marketing program, I was able to develop critical thinking and creativity - skills I continue to use each day,” he adds. 

Post High School Education

After graduating from Poteet in 2008, Buford continued his education at Grand Canyon University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in management and a Master of Science in leadership.