In this episode of Success in Chaos, Angela and Kandice sit down with Melonie Lagalante, FACHE, Assistant Vice President of Diagnostic and Outpatient Services at St. Tammany Health System. From her deep Louisiana roots to her professional journey, Melonie shares how a community hospital became a national model for quality, innovation, and workforce resilience.
Melonie opens up about what it means to lead through uncertainty without losing sight of what matters most: people. Her leadership approach blends humility, competitive spirit, and an unwavering belief that mission, vision, and values must be more than wall art, they must drive decisions at every level. From tackling post-COVID workforce shortages to launching intensive quality initiatives, Melonie shares how her team solved complex challenges not with quick fixes, but with long-term investment in people and purpose.
You’ll hear how St. Tammany embraced high-reliability care and partnered with vendors like Inflo Health to improve outcomes without sacrificing efficiency. Melonie also discusses how healthcare organizations must shift from being siloed service providers to true community anchors—and how that shift can fuel brand loyalty, clinical excellence, and organizational pride.
For healthcare leaders navigating financial pressures, staffing gaps, and technological transformation, this episode is a masterclass in culture-led strategy. With heartfelt stories, leadership wisdom, and tactical advice, Melonie shows us that success in chaos isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions, empowering your team, and building systems rooted in empathy and excellence.
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
