Celebrating Black History Month – Marquita Watts
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.
Marquita has worked for Memorial for almost a decade. She is a Chart Imaging Specialist, responsible for scanning medical records and auditing paper documentation from all Memorial facilities. “What I love most about working for this organization is that it has allowed me to advance as a worker and it has given me skills that I will have for the rest of my life. It also gives me this sense of needing to help those who cannot help themselves,” she shares.
She was nominated by another team member who said, “Marquita is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I am so thankful to have crossed paths with such a genuine person. She provides the best patient care. She never rushes a phone call, and she brightens everyone’s day.”
Committed to helping
“Black History Month means the most to me because as an African American, the bad seems to always outweigh the good. With that in mind, I make it my mission to do as much good in the world as I can, no matter who is watching,” Marquita says. She continues, “I remember the ones that did things to pave the way for others like me, and I pray that one day I will leave my mark, if not for the world, then at least for the City of Gulfport. We should be kind to one another and help the elderly and children in the community with an open heart. This gives me hope that better times are ahead.”
Finding inspiration in the firsts
When asked who inspires her, Marquita shares, “I didn’t want to take a trip down memory lane, but other than the African American woman who raised and shaped me into the person I am, three women that come to mind for me are Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. What do they have in common, you ask? They all did it first. First Black Vice President, first Black First Lady, and first Black woman in the US Supreme Court. My name will be added to the list of ‘firsts’ as well. These women all faced very humble upbringings but still managed to be extraordinary, which proves that with hard work, anything is possible, and never let your past decide your future. It’s never about where you come from, only about where you plan to go.”
Marquita will celebrate Black History Month by continuing to do her best to help those who are in need. She adds, “I will also continue to strive to be better every day. In this big world, you truly never know who you will inspire, who you will cross paths with, or who is watching. No matter what, lead with love.”
Sharing gratitude
“I would also like to thank the woman who, after a few interviews, took a chance on me. Raycine Franklin was my manager on Med/Surg from 2014 until 2018. She made it clear that it would not be easy, but it would be rewarding. When you hear the word ‘reward’ you think of raises, paid days off, prizes, you know the fun stuff. It turned out to be rewarding for me on the inside. I developed a patience I’d never had, empathy for others, sympathy, and understanding, as well as the meaning of teamwork and respect for hard work that I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere else. She was a tough manager, but with good reason. I am here because she saw something in me that I did not. I went to Radiology in 2018, and she still encouraged me to not limit myself and to continue to work hard no matter what I was doing or who I was doing it for. I am forever grateful.”
Thank you for sharing your story, Marquita, and thank you for all that you do for our patients and community!