About the Founder

Leila Hightower, CEO

Leila Hightower was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Saint Louis University and began working at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in 1991. The opportunities offered allowed her to advance her career and serve on many committees. Leila has received a Certificate in Legal Nurse Consultant in 2009.  She has received health care awards from Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc., National Council of Negro Women and nominated as a BJC “Hometown Hero”. She joined Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. in 2008. This is a registered professional nursing organization for nurses and nursing students committed to developing healthy communities. Leila has been a preceptor for new nurses and a tutor for nursing students at St. Louis Community College. Leila created a list of low sodium; low costs foods which were adopted by the American Heart Association through “My Life. My Heart”. This was an initiative with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University. In 2008 she left bedside nursing and became one of the Heart Failure Educator Nurses for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She began to educate the underserved and uninsured population concerning Heart Failure in hopes of decreasing the readmission rates. It has always been her faith in God that has allowed her to continue this journey to educate and help others.  In addition, Leila wanted to give back the knowledge she had obtained throughout her nursing career to a community in need. Leila stated” I have come to realize, since educating in the community, that knowledge is the key to compliance”. Working with this population, she would always ask herself, “How would I feel if I were in their shoes?” The answer to this question inspired her to start Health Literacy Ministry, under God’s guidance. This is a nonprofit organization educating seniors 55 years of age and older concerning Hypertension and Heart Failure.   Health Literacy Ministry educates the illiterate and the health illiterate in their homes, adult day cares, churches or by telephone. The organization operates as a liaison between the client and their primary care provider. When funding is available, our clients receive a digital/talking blood pressure monitor, two/four compartment pill organizers, finger probe pulse oximeters, and scales. For more information visit www.hl-ministry.co or email at lh867@hl-ministry.com .