Aquebogue nurse wins prestigious DAISY award
Michele Latona, of Aquebogue, was recently recognized for her compassionate care with the People Arc of Suffolk's first-ever DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. She is pictured here with her granddaughter Ava (left), grandson Carson (second from left), granddaughter Emilia (third from left), and grandsons Brandon (front right), Michael (back right) and Alex (far right). Credit: People's Arc of Suffolk
Michele Latona says being a nurse is not just a job to her, it’s who she is.
The Aquebogue resident has worked as a registered nurse for more than four decades — with nearly half of those years spent helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the Bohemia-based People’s Arc of Suffolk. She has also led training sessions for countless nurses and staff members, according to the nonprofit.
Latona, 66, was recently recognized for her compassionate care with the organization’s first-ever DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, which is administered by the Washington-based DAISY Foundation. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
“I just love my job, and what I love most about nursing is knowing that every day I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,” said Latona. “I enjoy helping people with their needs and making them feel valued. I’ve never gotten up and said, ‘Oh, I don’t want to go to work today.’ ”
Latona said she began working as a registered nurse in the early 1980s and has held positions that include working as a medical surgical nurse at Huntington Hospital before joining People’s Arc of Suffolk about 21 years ago. Today, she is available to assist the more than 100 individuals with disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy to Down syndrome who visit the facility daily for activities like arts and crafts and games including bingo, she said.
This summer Latona helped a visitor who appeared to be in respiratory distress after arriving at People’s Arc.
“I took his vital signs, and I knew right away what was going on with him,” Latona said. “I immediately called 911 and he was hospitalized.”
Maria Randazzo, the director of nursing for People’s Arc of Suffolk, commended Latona for representing “exactly what the DAISY Award is intended to celebrate.”
“Michele has dedicated more than two decades to caring for the people we support and helping ensure that our nurses and staff provide the highest level of care,” Randazzo said in a statement. “She is a nurse whose compassion and commitment have made a difference in countless lives.”
People’s Arc CEO John McGuigan also praised Latona’s commitment to care that “comes through in everything she does.”
“She knows the people she supports, she knows their families, and she truly cares about making their lives better,” he said. “That’s what makes Michele so special.”
Nominate a Long Island who goes above and beyond or serves as an inspiration to their community. Send details and photograph to Michael Ebert, michael.ebert@newsday.com (photos should be high-resolution). Photos maybe used in other publications affiliated with Newsday.
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
