In this "After the Chaos" episode, Angela and Kandice reflect on their conversation with Melonie Lagalante, FACHE—a powerhouse leader driving community-focused transformation at St. Tammany Health System. From her ability to fast-track the implementation of innovation to her deeply rooted leadership philosophy, Melonie exemplifies what it means to lead with urgency, purpose, and humility. Angela and Kandice discuss how Melonie’s commitment to decentralizing decision-making and empowering teams fuels a culture of trust, action, and long-term retention. They also reflect on the evolving role of hospitals as community anchors and how Melonie's team models excellence in both care and collaboration.

Episode chapter guide:
04:34 Melonie's Leadership Journey
11:52 Community-Centric Healthcare Success
17:50 Navigating Healthcare Challenges
22:29 Building a Culture of Innovation
29:31 Leadership Insights and Advice

Melonie Lagalante, FACHE, shares how St. Tammany Health System turned rapid change into lasting progress. From post-COVID workforce recovery to high-reliability care and homegrown talent pipelines, she reveals how culture, community, and mission-driven leadership fuel innovation. This episode serves as a playbook for leaders navigating staffing challenges, operational pressures, and transformation, all while maintaining a focus on what matters most: people.

Episode chapter guide:
04:34 Melonie's Leadership Journey
11:52 Community-Centric Healthcare Success
17:50 Navigating Healthcare Challenges
22:29 Building a Culture of Innovation
29:31 Leadership Insights and Advice

Melonie's Reading List

• Hardwiring Excellence: Purpose, Worthwhile Work, Making a Difference - Quint Studer
• Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts - Brené Brown

In this "After the Chaos" episode, Kandice and Angela unpack their conversation with healthcare innovator Kara Trott. They delve into Kara's strategic approach to navigating and solving the complexities of healthcare through rigorous data analysis, patient-centric storytelling, and empathy-driven solutions. Kandice and Angela discuss Kara's visionary foresight, emphasizing the importance of slowing down to fully understand problems before rushing to solutions, and discuss her remarkable ability to stay relevant in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders seeking actionable insights on sustaining innovation and effective leadership in healthcare.