From Jamaica to Nursing Leadership: A Journey of Compassion and Innovation

In this episode, Joy welcomes Latoya O'Gere, the director at Optum Advisory and a nurse executive with extensive experience in nursing practice and leadership. Latoya shares her inspiring journey, from growing up in Jamaica assisting her diabetic grandmother to becoming a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, and eventually a doctorate scholar. She discusses the distinction between clinical nursing and nursing executive roles, highlighting how nursing leadership involves making policies and decisions that impact patient care and the business aspect of nursing.

Latoya's passion for transforming healthcare is evident as she shares her involvement in the American Nurses Association's innovation advisory committee and her experience in setting up isolation hotel programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a safe and innovative solution for patients and relieve the burden on hospitals.