As a house supervisor at Our Lady of the Angels Health, Marilyn Youngblood, RN, ensures smooth operation of our nursing units by assigning adequate staffing, utilizing bed control and providing additional resources when needed.
Youngblood has served the Bogalusa community as a nurse for more than 40 years.
Healthcare Career Inspiration
“I was reared by my paternal grandmother who spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. I would often stay with her during her hospitalizations, so I saw firsthand the importance of the healthcare ministry,” Youngblood says. “As a teenager I was diagnosed with scoliosis and spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals for surgical and medical treatments. I witnessed the healing power of compassionate service, and I immediately wanted to be a part of the healthcare team.”
Youngblood’s mother is the person who has influenced her career the most. “She lived a life of service to others, unselfishly giving her time, talent and resources to make their world a better place,” Youngblood says. “She understood her divine assignment and stayed the course until the end. She left a legacy of love and compassion and I hope I have instilled these attributes in my own children.”
Considering Diversity and Equity
“I think it’s important to have diversity in all workplaces, but especially in healthcare,” Youngblood says. “Our patients are made up of people of all races and ethnicities, and diversity provides inclusivity. It also provides awareness, education and celebrates the differences among people.”
Equity in healthcare is also important, and Youngblood says the issues she feels are most pressing in that regard include discrimination and a lack of resources.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their best health. Race, income, education, housing insecurity and unsafe environments all play a role in disparities,” she says. “We must all — individuals, communities and governments — do our part to close this gap.”
Developing Community
This year in recognition of Black History Month, our health system is reflecting on The King Center’s 2023 theme to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and life: It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset.
“I try to cultivate community in my workplace and beyond by using my gifts and talents to serve others, by being the best version of myself and by seeing the needs of others and meeting those needs as I can,” Youngblood says. “I connect with like-minded people who also want positive change and I follow the examples set by our greatest role model, Jesus.”
Reflecting on Black History Month
Black History Month showcases some of the remarkable, talented and gifted African-Americans and their contributions to humanity and their marks on the world. These are often not shared in history books.
“When I think of the contributions of Black Americans in history, several leaders come to mind such as Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Oprah Winfrey, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Barack Obama and Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Youngblood says.
One of her favorite Dr. King quotes is, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Another one is, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Our DEI Commitment
Our ministry’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion supports culturally competent care education for our team members all year long, including during Black History Month each February.
