Positivity, communication and teamwork create success — a strategy Melony Douglas has embraced as a practice manager for four CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group clinics in London.
“Leadership is about making others better and bringing out greatness in employees they may not know they have,” Melony said. “I want to make others into leaders and bring out the best in everyone.”
Melony joined the Medical Group through a recommendation from a friend about a decade ago. A self-described “people person,” Melony is constantly out and about in the four clinics she oversees. Melony was named CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group Leader of the Year in 2021, but she gives credit to the employees in her practices for inspiring her.
She said the clinics stayed busy helping the community with COVID-19 testing and supporting hospital employees during surges in addition to serving the community’s needs. She said it inspired her to see colleagues stepping up to help during the past two years when the need has been at its greatest.
“When the Delta surge hit, all of my CMAs and nurse practitioners helped at the hospital,” Melony said. “They would work here in the clinics until 5 or 6 p.m., then go over to the hospital and work until midnight, then they would be back here in the morning.
“They’re the leaders. I am so proud because the hospital had so many patients and needed the help.”
Melony’s favorite quote is “a warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” She said this quote helps keep her focused on serving patients, her employees and others in her life.
Outside of work, Melony volunteers with the Miss Kentucky Pageant in a variety of roles. She said focusing on kindness and a warm smile helps the ladies prepare for the interview portion of their competition, in which she has been a judge. Melony has also helped with local county fair pageants.
“I would go to the pageant and help the girls get ready, talk to them and calm them down before they went on stage,” Melony said. “I think that listening to them and helping them feel comfortable helps in everything.”
Melony grew up in Richmond on her family’s horse farm before moving to London. She and her husband have three boys, ages 24, 21 and 15. She enjoys spending time outdoors at the farm where one of her sons has taken the reins from her father.
Melony also enjoys expanding her cooking and baking skills. A few years ago, she started making birthday cakes for all of her employees on their birthday.
“It started a while back when I didn’t have time to get a cake, so I thought I would just make one,” Melony said. “I made it and everyone asked me to make them a cake for their birthday. To see someone smile and know it makes them feel good, that’s what I’m here for. I’m here to make others happy.”
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Spirit of Health magazine's print edition is distributed quarterly and focuses on topics related to our CHI Saint Joseph Health purpose and values.
