HJNO Jul/Aug 2021

DIALOGUE 10 JUL / AUG 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   and updates that could have been done were put on hold. But, LCMC Health has come in and made up most of that lost ground. I believe that the communities that we serve and will serve should feel incredibly fortu- nate that LCMC Health decided to buy and brand this hospital as one of their own. Their success in building community assets like Children’s Hospital, Touro, West Jefferson Medical Center, NewOrleans East Hospital and University Medical Center is remark- able. The system has great pride in serving the community and providing extraordi- nary care with a little something extra, and it really shows! I would not have accepted the position here if it were not for the strength, vision and culture of LCMC Health. It is truly a great organization. Editor Can you tell us about your vision for EJGH? Tanzella LCMC Health’s vision focuses on creating a culture of wellness, which I embrace for the team at East Jefferson Gen- eral Hospital. I want to inspire our team’s desire to be the hospital and healthcare provider of choice for patients, physicians, nurses, clinicians and staff in Louisiana. That includes continuing the tradition of compassionate patient care, physician lead- ership and staff engagement. And, we will share in the mission of LCMC Health as well, to deliver health, care and education beyond extraordinary. Editor We hear there is a lot of turnover going on and more to come. How is morale, and why all the change? Tanzella With the uncertainty of ownership looming for years, it is surprising how resil- ient and dedicated the staff and physicians are that stayed through the transition. We did lose good people, and I hope we will be able to bring them back. Going forward, I do not foresee turnover being the problem. The morale of the staff has been improving weekly as we have done much to show our appreciation, adjusting pay scales and mak- ing this a better place every day. It takes time to build trust and culture, but LCMC health and I have that experience and know what it takes to do the right things. The turnover we have had has declined each month, and I have hopes of making our retention rate the best in the city and nationally ranked through actually engaging the staff in solutions and ideas. I am open to speaking with any former employee or phy- sician and personally explain why they will want to come back. In fact, my cell number is posted throughout the hospital for staff today. Editor Since the pandemic has disrupted and dispersed healthcare workers, which positions is the hospital currently finding a challenge to fill? Editor What does being a part of the LCMC Health system bring to EJGH? Tanzella LCMC Health brings stability, knowledge and system resources to East Jefferson General Hospital. These are keys to ensuring we succeed. Their branding is unparalleled in the industry, celebrating the uniqueness and originality of our peo- ple and our community. It is bigger than just investing in bricks and mortar — it is about embracing our team and celebrating the extraordinary spirit that is in all of us working in healthcare. Healthcare is a difficult industry to sur- vive in as a solo hospital. Having LCMC Health leadership and team members to collaborate and learn from has been wel- come by the leaders, staff and physicians at East Jefferson General Hospital. They are also supplying us with much needed capital for upgrading and replacing equip- ment — not only the capital but purchasing power and expertise to allow our patients to receive the highest level of care while reduc- ing our costs to ensure we will be here for another 50 years and beyond. Another important investment that is the result of being a part of the LCMC Health is the implementation of their Epic health record management system that will improve the patient experience and provide clinicians with more data and the ability to seamlessly communicate with the other hospitals in the system. “The system has great pride in serving the community and providing extraordinary care with a little something extra, and it really shows! I would not have accepted the position here if it were not for the strength, vision and culture of LCMC Health.”