Joe Ronquillo, the now-famous dancing nurse from St Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Idaho, has been taking care of the youngest patients for 16 years now. It seems to us that Ronquillo has found a perfect recipe to bring joy to sick children. The formula is simple: combine medications, kind words, and a lot of dance.
Because his oncology patients and their families appreciate Joe’s great work, he’s been spotlighted as one of the “Seven’s Heroes.” KTVB covered the story of a dancing nurse, and we’re gonna share it with you. Let’s dance; it heals everything.
All four Ronquillo siblings work in healthcare at St. Luke’s hospital.
Interestingly, Joe’s background story is as impressive as his dedication to work. Two decades ago, the Ronquillos moved to Idaho from El Salvador, and Joe was born in Idaho. He’s got two sisters and one brother. All four of them work at the same hospital. Joe says that it fills his parents with great pride.
Not only are Ronquillo siblings great nurses, but they are beloved by hundreds of patients. Moreover, Joe has become quite a social media superstar because of his dancing.
“There’s a good opportunity that I may be dancing for you, so it’s a win-win,” Joe said.
Yes, that’s right, Ronquillo dances for all of his patients. It brings them joy, it’s entertaining, and who doesn’t bright up as soon as the music goes on?! Several parents have filmed Joe’s fantastic dancing acts and posted them on Facebook.
Joe explained:
“It’s kind of funny because I think they thought it was an actor, I’m not an actor.”
Who wouldn’t want a nurse like him?! We are well aware that medical workers have got a lot on their hands, but isn’t it phenomenal to see someone going the extra mile for other people?!
Lonnie Leavitt-Barker, a mom of one of Joe’s patients, was overwhelmed with Joe’s extraordinary efforts, so much so that she nominated him as a 7’s Hero.
3-year-old Kean Barker, Lonnie’s son, is battling leukemia at St Luke’s Hospital. The boy also has Down syndrome, and his mother says that Kean has really bonded with Joe. “I don’t know where we’d be without the nurses and the doctors here. We fell in love with Joe,” says Lonnie.
Ronquillo’s patients are little fighters, and they all agree on one thing: Joe was born to be a nurse. His dancing puts smiles on kids’ faces, and sometimes, that’s the best therapy. When asked about the dancing for the patients, Joe gave a simple answer:
“It’s the best feeling in the world!”
Having recently finished Nurse Practitioner’s school, Joe says he plans to pursue further education.
Ronquillo says that his young patients inspire him to move forward in his life. Joe’s determined to go after his dreams. He doesn’t know what the future holds, but one thing is sure; the dancing nurse won’t stop dancing.
Luckily, precious little warriors at the hospital have someone to distract them from living with an illness.
In the interview with KTVB, Joe shared a profound thought: “It’s not just about treating the disease, it’s about treating the entire patient!”
We surely agree. In any sickness, the person who struggles with symptoms needs a lot of courage.
No doctor’s got a magical pill that fits confidence, empathy, trust, and bravery. However, Joe came up with an equally powerful solution. He’s dedicated to his patients, and they feel it. Thank you, Joe, for being such an extraordinary friend on children’s way to recovery.
Watch the heartwarming video below to see Joe’s dance moves for yourself!
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