LaTonya Jones, RN Med/Surg, Saint Joseph Health System: Saint Joseph Hospital Lexington, Kentucky

During my visit to the hospital I had colorectal cancer removed and was in a tremendous amount of pain. LaTonya continued on a daily basis to ensure my comfort at all times and took initiative to leave my port accessed by an oncology nurse to give me pain medicine when my veins were not accessible. Nominated by Sandra Black

It's a very long story. But, to begin with, you have to have a great doctor and a great nurse. LaTonya is a great nurse. I had a surgery to get my left intestines removed. I went back to my room , but my pulse blood pressure potassium got out of whack. I was white as a sheet. Quick thinking came into play something was wrong, so they took me to CCU. I was bleeding out. I had to go for another surgery to fix the bleed out. So I was in CCU for 4 days. What a staff. I was not a very good patient, but I was scared to death. It brought me closer to God.

My life has not been the best for the past year. I was hospitalized 2 times at Central Baptist for blockages 2 colonoscopy’s. But I met one of the Best Doctors ever. Dr. Charles Papp. And a very compassionate nurse, who loves her job, LaTonya.

This year has been awful for my family my husband got sick and had to have a pacemaker put in. I almost lost him he had his surgery at SJE. Then my daughter found out she has Hoskins Lymphoma, then I lost both my parents and then I got real sick this last time. But your hospital has changed my life and your nurses have a lot to do with it. There are some things I would change, but not much. But this nurse, LaTonya, is one that will catch things that are wrong and make you feel like you will make it. I hope this letter will do some good for her. This hospital has taught me a lot. Plus I promised God a lot of things so, I’ve got to get started.

Thank you, Anna Hatton, Janice Hatton, Billie Hatton