Chanda Chacón graduated from Vanderbilt University with degrees in Biology and Spanish and from Yale University with a Master’s Degree in Public Health Management. She is also a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Chanda began her career in healthcare with Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston for over 17 years in progressive leadership roles including ambulatory operations, pharmacy, Heart Center, an innovative Fetal Center, and Women’s Services. Most recently, Chanda was the President of the Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus the first community hospital in the Texas Children’s system that doubled in size during her 2 year tenure to meet the needs of the West Houston community.
Chanda joined Arkansas Children’s as Executive Vice President and system Chief Operating Officer in October 2016. She has accountability for system leadership and operations of Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas Children’s Northwest hospital in Springdale, and the clinics across the state. Arkansas Children’s is the only children’s hospital system in Arkansas and has embarked on a strategic plan that will enhance child health and wellbeing across the state. Chanda is passionate about leadership and developing others and frequently presents on these topics at graduate schools, non-profit organizations, and healthcare professional organizations. She is active in the community serving on the board of Little Rock Angels an organization that supports foster families, served in Houston as a court appointed Child Advocate serving children in CPS custody and as an active member of PEO a philanthropic organization focusing on the advancement of women through education.