Latisha Joseph, a San Tan Valley resident, has been named Employee of the Month at Research for Life, where she works as Community Outreach Manager.

Joseph spends her days meeting people. She sits down with families, speaks to healthcare professionals, works community events, and keeps up the relationships the program depends on.

"I love that my job allows me to do what I enjoy most: connect with people!" she said. "Whether I'm talking with a family, presenting to healthcare professionals, attending a community event, or building relationships with our amazing partners, no two days are ever quite the same."

Helping People Know Their Options

Research for Life runs a whole body donation program serving Arizona and Southern California. Staff meet with families in their own homes to enroll them, and the program covers cremation at no cost.

Those are conversations most people put off having. Joseph said helping someone understand the choice ahead of time is the part of the work that matters to her.

"I believe education is incredibly important, especially when it comes to understanding your end-of-life options," she said. "If one conversation helps someone say, ‘I'm so glad I knew about this,’ then we've made a difference."

She also said she is proud of her team. "I'm incredibly proud of the work we do at Research For Life and grateful to be part of a team that truly cares about the families and communities we serve."

Why Her Team Chose Her

Research for Life names an Employee of the Month based on a set list of qualities: a welcoming attitude, reliability, team spirit, quality of work, cooperation, accountability and service to clients.

Managers said Joseph's award was not about one good week. It was about how she shows up, month after month.

"Latisha brings a tireless dedication to the families we serve, showing up with compassion and professionalism every single time, without exception," the company said.

They also pointed to the people she supervises, saying she takes their growth and well being personally, and to her habit of picking up whatever needs doing, whether or not it belongs to her.

"Latisha's dedication, selflessness, and leadership make her exactly the kind of team player this award was created to celebrate," the company said.

If you have questions, or would like to learn more about what Research for Life has to offer, they can be reached at 480-940-1310.