People’s Arc Of Suffolk Honors Michele Latona With Organization’s First Daisy Award

People’s Arc of Suffolk honored longtime nurse Michele Latona as the organization’s first-ever recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during a ceremony Tuesday in Hauppauge.

Latona has served People’s Arc of Suffolk for 21 years, providing compassionate nursing care to hundreds of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while training and supporting countless nurses and staff members. As People’s Arc’s first DAISY Honoree, Latona joined an international community of nurses recognized for extraordinary, compassionate care.

“I’m incredibly humbled by this honor,” said Latona, of Aquebogue, NY. “Being recognized for doing something you think is important and that you love to do is very impactful. All of our nurses go above and beyond every day for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Every one of them deserves a same level of recognition.”

The DAISY Award is an internationally recognized program honoring nurses for extraordinary, compassionate care. Established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease, the award was inspired by the extraordinary care Barnes and his family received from nurses during his hospitalization. The award recognizes and thanks nurses for the difference they make in the lives of patients and families.

“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,” said Maria Randazzo, Director of Nursing at People’s Arc of Suffolk. “She is a nurse whose compassion and commitment have made a difference in countless lives. She represents exactly what the DAISY Award is intended to celebrate.”

People’s Arc began working with The DAISY Foundation in 2026 after Randazzo first encountered the program while visiting a person supported by People’s Arc during a hospital stay. During its first year participating in the program, People’s Arc received 83 nominations from people supported, family members and staff, with 17 nurses nominated for the award.

“Those 83 nominations demonstrate just how deeply our nurses impact the lives of the people and families we serve,” Randazzo said. “Michele is our first honoree, but this program gives us an opportunity to celebrate extraordinary nursing throughout People’s Arc. We look forward to making this an annual tradition.”

About The DAISY Foundation

The DAISY Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes to recognize the extraordinary skill and compassion nurses provide every day. DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses allows patients, families, colleagues and others to nominate nurses whose care has made a meaningful difference in their lives.

About People’s Arc of Suffolk

People’s Arc of Suffolk is dedicated to creating communities where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy life to its fullest. The organization provides a wide array of services, including employment opportunities, education programs, and community engagement, all aimed at fostering an equitable and integrated community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Follow People’s Arc of Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.