1. MELANIE N. GANDER, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC
melaniegander9@gmail.com
7218 Wedgehollow Ct., Spring, TX 77389Phone: 281-830-1238
OBJECTIVE: ANSWERING THE NEED FOR LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE IN HEALTHCARE BY SERVING AS A
PASSIONATE CHANGE CATALYST NURSE LEADER.
EE X E C U T I V EX E C U T I V E HH E A L T H C A R EE A L T H C A R E LL E A D E RE A D E R
Successfully delivering results by implementing cost-effective improvement strategies in hospital operations, quality care
delivery, and care team competencies
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Take-charge, decisive, and results-focused healthcare leader with more than 15 years of experience in confidently leading care
team members to sustain high standards in patient-centered nursing care delivery. Noted for graciously collaborating with
multidisciplinary health care professionals. Widely recognized as an innovative thought leader in nursing. Keen awareness of
overall financial needs, developing strategic plans to meet facility and patient care objectives. Builder of stronger nursing team
members who are efficient in advanced assessments, spot-on care planning, and nursing interventions through excellent
communications and diligent enforcement of compliances.
—EXECUTIVE AREAS OF STRENGTHS —
FACILITY TURNAROUNDS PATIENT SATISFACTION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT COMMUNITY OUTREACH
SYSTEMS INITIATIVE GOALS/OBJECTIVES REGULATIONS/PROTOCOLS BUDGETING/FORECASTING
REGULATORY REPORTING TEAM LEADERSHIP CRITICAL THINKING LONG-TERM PLANNING
—NURSING PROFICIENCIES—
ADVANCED ASSESSMENTS NURSING DIAGNOSIS CUSTOMIZED CARE PLANS PATIENT TEACHING
THERAPEUTIC CARE PATIENT OUTCOMES REGULATIONS/PROTOCOLS EMERGENT CARE
N U R S I N G & H E A L T H C A R E E X P E R I E N C E
System Director Of Nursing Operations (February 2013)
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System 2013–Present
Collaborate with all System CNO’s, ISD, Quality, Regulatory, and Legal to ensure nursing is involved in all
decision making.
Actively involved in all system nursing councils to act as change agent and ensure all of nursing leadership is
knowledgeable of upcoming changes. Work hand and hand with our Chief Medical Informatics Officer, making
sure nursing has input in future changes with the electronic health record. Conduct CNO rounding’s at each of
our facilities to elicit feedback from the bedside staff on all aspects of nursing care and workflow.
Successfully worked with System Critical Care physicians to implement a system wide electrolyte replacement
medical power plan.
Successfully rolled out a major optimization to our electronic health record.
Active participant in our physician editorial board, representing nursing.
Active participant in our physician system medical informatics committee, representing nursing.
Currently working on a system wide DKA medical power plan.
Instrumental in developing a new process for physicians and nurses to meet the new CMS 1599-F standards for
admissions.
Currently working with Legal Counsel to help get Memorial Hermann in Compliance with state standards for the
use of protocols throughout the System.
Collaborated with System Pharmacy to standardize the High Risk Medication Policy and made it a system policy.
Led initiative to operationalize a true electronic 2 nurse check process for high risk meds.
Conduct regular rounding with the facility CNO’s.
Active participant in the design and implementation of the system’s first Sepsis screening tool for ED’s and
inpatients.
Member of the Meaningful Use Steering Committee, responsible for making sure nursing workflow is condusive
to nursing practice at the bedside.
Led and helped design the Foley Bundle documentation.

2. “Named one of Texas’s 20
outstanding nurses by the Texas
Nurses Association District 9.”
Was the co-executive sponsor for the implementation of specimen collection PPID (scanning patients and lab
specimens to improve safety).
Director of Critical Care Services (2010)/ Director of Emergency Services (2008)
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands 2008–2013
Ensure optimal day-to-day ER services while concurrently holding accountability for 2 ICUs. Preside over the Medical ICU,
Surgical ICU, Hospital ER, Freestanding ER, and Telemetry Central Monitoring with over 200 FTE’s as direct reports.
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Manage operations under budget while maintaining quality patient care and financial prosperity by implementing nursing
research and evidence-based practices, monitoring nursing educational requirements, and enforcing compliances with federal,
state, and local laws in addition to hospital core measures. Direct and motivate
skilled nursing teams. Create effective care models and revamp strategies in
compliances. Enhance patient satisfaction, community awareness, patient advocacy,
and nursing liaison. Synergize efforts between physicians, care teams, and clinical
practitioners. Earned exceptional evaluations during entire leadership tenure in the
areas of priority setting, life-saving interventions, patient experience, and more.
 Strategically decreased the number of FTE’s while still successfully increasing metrics and sustaining quality care and
achieving improvements across many critical areas.
 Improved customer satisfaction scores from 3rd
percentile to the 52nd
percentile for FY12YTD.
 Received Breakthrough of The Quarter award for operational excellence in FY10:
▪ 41% reduction in door to doc times.
▪ 48% reduction in LWOT/LWBS, resulting in a savings of approximately $915,000.
▪ Increased employee retention by 23%
▪ Increased employee satisfaction scores by 55%.
▪ Increased ER physician satisfaction scores by 32%
 Received Breakthrough of The Quarter award for clinical excellence in FY12:
▪ Increased central line daily necessity documentation by 65%.
▪ Increased the use of ultrasound for central line insertion by 70%.
▪ Have maintained Zero CLABSI’s and Zero VAP’s for over 25 months.
▪ Increased CLABSI and VAP bundle compliances.
MELANIE N. GANDER | PAGE 2 | Tel: 281-830-1238 | Email: melaniegander9@gmail.com
Perianesthesia Educator
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center 2006–2008
Secured the educational needs of nurses in all phases of perianesthesia care: advanced critical nursing practices,
ethical standards, and adherence to legal requirements.
 Assessed educational needs, monitored competence of quality patient care, and devised improvement plans.
 Increased surgical care improvement project (SCIP) core measures scores from 60% to 100% via better educational
programs and more effective instruction.
 Realigned staff competence with patient care needs, propelling Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores from 5 to 99.
 Improved SCIP antibiotic selection score from 66.7% to 100% by convincing key surgeons to change a prophylactic
antibiotic to one that is approved by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
 Earned outstanding performance appraisals and listed as a rising star (distinction awarded to only three out of 100
healthcare staff members).
Emergency Department (ED), Registered Nurse
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands 2005–2006
Triaged patients and provided fast-paced, astute critical nursing skills; vigilant monitoring, and intense interventions.
 Aided, guided, and counseled undergraduate students as a preceptor.
 Advanced to charge nurse: streamlined operations, designed and implemented procedures to reduce expenses, improve
staff competence, and enhance patient care in a 216-bed facility.
 Provided insightful and motivational leadership to employees including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses,
and nursing assistants.
 Demonstrated vast knowledge of emergency healthcare and the ability to direct all services to support continuity of
top quality care.

3. Charge Nurse, Level One Trauma Emergency Center
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center 1999–2004
Led, disciplined, developed, and educated 20 nursing staff members on triage, customer service, and safe medication
administration.
 Monitored nursing practices, audited charts, and prepared detailed reports.
 Combined efforts with multidisciplinary teams and worked closely with the emergency department residents and
attending.
 Managed department schedules, interviewed and hired employees, established and monitored new employee
orientation processes.
E D U C A T I O N
(BSN) Bachelors of Science in Nursing
University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston,
Texas 2006 | Graduated Magna cum laude
Voted into Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing Honor Society).
(ASN) Associate Degree of Nursing
San Jacinto College Central Pasadena, Texas 1998
(MHA) Masters in Healthcare Administration
University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois 2008
Summa cum laude 4.0.
C E R T I F I C A T I O N S & M E M B E R S H I P S
(BCLS) Basic Cardiac Life Support | (ACLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support | (PALS) Pediatric Advanced Life Support |
Certified Instructor for Breakthroughs in Patient Safety | Nurse Executive-BC
Member of Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society | Texas Nurses Association | Texas Organization of Nurse
Executives; American College of Healthcare Executives
P U B L I C S P E A K I N G & P R O F E S S I O N A L R E C O G N I T I O N
Guest speaker― Marcus Evans CNO Summit in 2011, “Generational Differences in Nursing” ―attendees 25
Guest Speaker—Demystifying Nursing Peer Review October 24, 2012—attendees 130
Guest Speaker- Neonatal Nurses Association, “Generational Difference in Nursing“, attendees 50
Employee of the Year Nominee in 2011 & 2012
Hero Award in 2001
Named one of Texas’s 20 outstanding nurses by the TNA District 9 in 2011