Latoya Ellis, Registered Nurse

My husband was admitted to Merit ER with what turned out to be a fractured right hip. He was in great pain and was eventually transferred to the fourth floor, where he was greeted by an angel named Latoya. What a delight she was -- a warm and genuine smile, a more than willing spirit, and care and concern for the patient and family oozed out of her. Latoya did all within her power to make our brief stay at Merit as pleasant as possible. She offered us seating, extra pillows for me (as I spent two nights there), water, and anything else she thought would make my stay more comfortable. It was almost as if she anticipated our needs, with extra blankets and the like. I have never had a nurse in any hospital as friendly, kind, and helpful as Latoya. I gave her a great big hug when we left Merit. She wrote the book on the caring and compassionate nurse. In my opinion, Latoya definitely deserves recognition for going above and beyond her job requirements.