Celebrating Black History Month – Latarsha Harper
This year, Memorial is celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting members of our team who embody our mission of healing, inspiring, and transforming the health of our community.
Latarsha has been part of the Memorial family for more than 17 years. She works in our Accounting Department as an accountant, and her role is to prepare and maintain financial papers, reports, journal entries, and other documentation related to contractual agreements and reconciliation of various accounts. She shares, “An average workday for me is creating financial analysis reports on selected hospital functions and ensuring that all transactions performed are done accurately.”
She was nominated for this spotlight by one of her teammates, who wrote, “Tasha is smart, works very hard, is good at her job, is always dependable, and has such a positive attitude all of the time. No matter what is going on she keeps such a great attitude and that attitude is a bright spot in our department. Tasha is always pleasant to work with. She has a great personality and her positive attitude is infectious. She’s always willing to go above and beyond to help anybody in the department even when it’s beyond her job duties. She is a true team player and such an asset to the Accounting Department.”
A caring and loving bond
When asked what she loves most about what she does, she shares, “What I love most about my job is the comfortable work environment and the loving caring bond of the finance team. My work family is everything to me, we work hard together to get the day-to-day finances of the hospital done accurately and efficiently. Being able to come to work daily to a happy and safe work environment with people who show love and great teamwork is truly a blessing to me. And we love to eat good food and celebrate each other whether it be a milestone birthday, anniversary, or any big event in our life, we get together and show love to each other.”
A time to uplift Black voices
“Black History month means to appreciate and acknowledge the contributions and achievements of African Americans. It a great opportunity to uplift Black voices and spotlight those who have made a difference in our culture and history,” Latarsha shares.
When asked about an inspirational Black historical figure who inspires her, she says, “I can’t name just one as I have many inspirational Black figures who inspire me, such as all the beautiful strong hard work men and women in my family. But if I must name one it would be our Church Mother Edith Johnson. Ms. Edith is 101 years old, a Howard University Alumna, and worked as a registered nurse for more than 30 years. Over the years she has told/taught many Black stories of struggles, progress, and aspirations for her and other heroic Black people. Ms. Edith has been a great inspiration in my life and my son’s life. Because of her, he attended an HBCU, Alcorn State University, and he graduated in 2020. I am very proud to be an African American.”
Latarsha will be celebrating Black History Month with her family, friends, and church family by learning more about Black culture and the wonderful individuals who have helped and are still helping pave the way for equality for Black people. Every Sunday in February this year, her church will have a Moment in Black History at her church, Haven Chapel UMC. A Moment in Black History acknowledges an influential Black Historian of the past and present times.
Thank you for sharing your story, Latarsha, and thank you for all that you do for our patients and community!