“Leadership is poetry and plumbing”— I heard this quote by James March, a Stanford professor, in Brené Brown’s keynote at ACHE Congress in 2025. Effective leaders must balance inspiration (poetry) with operational execution (plumbing). Poetry involves articulating vision, meaning, and values, while plumbing ensures systems work, discipline is maintained, and goals are achieved.

In moments like these—when margins are tight, competition is relentless, and the workforce feels stretched more than ever—it’s easy to feel as though the ground is constantly shifting beneath your feet. But this is precisely the kind of environment that defines extraordinary leadership. As your newly elected Regent, I am honored to support you and the SouthEastTexas Chapter in your professional journey. I am grateful to our outgoing Regent and a former mentor, Frank Tortorella, PhD, JD, FACHE, for his service to the chapter.

Healthcare has never been a field for the faint of heart. It demands resilience, clarity, and a deep sense of purpose. Financial headwinds may test your strategy, and uncertainty may challenge your confidence—but they also sharpen your focus. Organizations like ACHE give us the community, tools and resources to strengthen our leadership. The Fellow certification allows us to differentiate ourselves, demonstrate our commitment to the profession, and stay abreast of the dynamic industry.

Remember: your role is not only to manage scarcity, but to lead through it and inspire future leaders. Even in constraint, there is opportunity: to streamline, to rethink outdated models, and to build more sustainable systems of care.

And perhaps most importantly, your leadership sets the tone for those who are carrying the mission forward every day. Your empathy, transparency, and commitment matter more than ever. When people feel seen, supported, and inspired, they rise—even in the toughest conditions. That is how you build a strong culture and belonging.

The path ahead may be uncertain, but your purpose is not. Healthcare leaders don’t just respond to change—they shape what comes next. Stay grounded in your mission, trust your judgment, and lead with both courage and compassion.

The challenges are real—but so is your capacity to navigate them.

I hope you take advantage of our many upcoming events or certification programs:

• Friday, July 10, 2026: Mixers & Elixirs Meet-Up—Fun networking evening at Hotel ZaZa and behind the scenes at the Houston Museum of Natural History.
• Tuesday, July 14, 2026: 1.5 Hours ACHE Virtual Interactive Credits— “Leading Through Uncertainty: How to Leverage Personal Values and Trust to Guide Your Organization through Change.”
• Thursday, July 23, 2026: Certificate Course—“AI in Healthcare – Fundamentals.”
• Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Certificate Course—“Navigating the Healthcare Construction Life Cycle: Strategies for Successful Leaders – Fundamentals.”
• Thursday, July 30, 2026: Annual Summer Soiree—Networking at Hunrgy’s Rice Village.
• Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026: Annual Mini Conference, Texas Woman’s University.
• Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026: 3rd Quarter Breakfast, Hilton Garden Inn/Home2Suites. Panel discussion on AI & Trust.
• Thursday, Nov. 5 & Friday, Nov. 6, 2026: Annual Healthcare Leadership Conference, InterContinental Houston – Medical Center.

I would like to hear from you. Please reach out via LinkedIn or email at mpaul2@houstonmethodist.org.

Thanks,