HJNO Jul/Aug 2021

involving healthcare workers. As a health- care leader, how do you, personally, deal with mental health issues, and how do you encourage good mental health practices to the EJGH family? Tanzella As I stated before, it is getting away mentally and physically as much as pos- sible. I tell everyone who works for me to enjoy their time away. I will not call or text anyone on vacation and try never to contact team members at night or on weekends. I have learned that there is nothing that will keep us from staying open that cannot wait until tomorrow or that others cannot solve in their absence. I also have traditionally not had meetings at lunch time, using that Tanzella The health of our citizens is defi- nitely concerning. As far as dealing with patients with poor health, the staff and doctors just want to provide the best care they can to whoever is in front of them. They never give up on patients, no matter how often they visit and as often as they do not follow instructions. They will educate them and tell them to change their lifestyle every visit. We have wonderful caregivers taking care of everyone regardless of their condition or socioeconomic position or constraints. We have to put more empha- sis on preventative medicine and get out to the communities and populations that need more attention. Editor Word on the street is you used to own several Chinese restaurants. Do you have a favorite Chinese dish, and have you had it added to the EJGH cafeteria menu yet? Tanzella That is true, and I am always happy to have a spicy Kung Pao chicken with some fried rice. I can still cook and even spent some time on the grill at my old hospital. In all likelihood, you will see me cooking Red Beans and Rice in the East Jefferson kitchen than adding one of my old recipes. I believe that will be on a Monday. Editor Thank you for the time, Richard. We wish you success and look forward to watching your impact on the market. Tanzella Thank you for the opportunity! n time to eat in the cafeteria with my team or staff to talk about fun things instead of work. Personally, to relieve stress, I go to the gym regularly and try to walk daily, includ- ing carrying my bag when I play golf. I enjoy vacationing in places like theAbaco Islands, boating without access to the internet or cell phones. Editor Louisiana currently ranks last or almost last in the health of our citizens and our health outcomes. How does con- sistently dealing with patients with poorer health than their counterparts across the country affect your clinical staff, and how do you think we can climb out of this ranking? 12 JUL / AUG 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   DIALOGUE