Slidell Memorial Hospital selects Holly Sanchez to become Chief Operating Officer

(July 15, 2020 – Slidell, La.) – Slidell Memorial Hospital (SMH) has selected Holly Sanchez as its Chief Operating Officer. In this position, Sanchez will oversee the day-to-day business operations of the hospital, as well as continue to oversee SMH’s information technology. She will report to Chief Executive Officer Sandy Badinger.

Sanchez began working as SMH's IT Services Director in 2011, after acting as an independent consultant to the hospital since 2007. Sanchez accepted the role of Chief Information Officer in 2018, bringing more than 35 years of experience in information technology support specific to healthcare. She has the proven ability to analyze data to develop and execute strategies that result in increasing efficiency and driving results for the organization. She is adept in analyzing business needs, building process and procedure, and overseeing a project through completion.

“During the past decade that I have worked at Slidell Memorial Hospital, I have been part of a team that has made so many advancements, from implementing new technology to increasing access to care for our community,” said Sanchez. “I am excited to take on this new role to help lead our team into the future.”

At SMH, Sanchez took on the monumental tasks of completely overhauling the clinical and business systems, in addition to implementing new electronic medical record (EMR) systems within the hospital and clinics. In doing so, the new systems allowed for interoperability with more than 100 subsystems used by several different departments, further integration with our partner Ochsner Health, and seamless continuity of care for our patients.

“Holly’s dedication is not just to her job, but also to our community, the mission of our community hospital, and to our partnership with Ochsner Health,” said Badinger. “Her focus is always on our patients and our team. Holly’s ability to understand the workflow processes involved with caring for patients and back-office activities is what sets her apart. I am confident that she will continue to move SMH and our partnership forward in her new position as COO.”

Previous to her experience at SMH and as an independent consultant, Sanchez acted as IT/engagement director for five years at Zavata, Inc., formerly Siemens Medical Solutions, in Pennsylvania, and as assistant director of management information systems for five years at Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital in New Orleans. Sanchez also served as assistant director of information systems at Children's Hospital of New Orleans.

Sanchez also dedicates her service to other organizations, including Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Crossfit Reign, St. Catherine of Siena School and Mount Carmel Academy.