Carolyn Latta (lovingly known as Latta) President of Hampton VA NOVA Local Chapter 418 died unexpectantly on January 14, 2023.

Admirably starting her career as a Student Nurse Technician at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, Latta had over 30 years of combined VA work experience at the Hampton VA Medical Center and Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC in Virginia in various roles such Staff Nurse Subacute Care, Staff Nurse Long Term Care, ER Float Staff Nurse/ Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Nurse Case Manager, Interim Nurse Manager, GREC and more recently Restorative Nurse Specialist. Latta had just started a new position working remotely with VA Central Office as a Concert Nurse, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care. She also worked as Adjunct Faculty at the Hampton University School of Nursing.

She was a loyal and dedicated NOVA Local Chapter President for over 15 years, working diligently within the past 10 years, with a few other dedicated nurses, to reactivate and revitalize the inactive Chapter 418 to a now thriving and productive Chapter. Under her leadership, her chapter participated in Wreaths for America, Nursing Hero Virtual 5K race and other national NOVA activities. Latta and her chapter hosted the Opening Ceremony for the Hampton VAMC Nurses Week activities in 2018 and 2022. Last year she hosted two NOVA sponsored education dinners in April and November which were well attended, resulting in four new NOVA members. She rewrote the updated the chapter policies and recently created the Chapter 418 Nurse Board Orientation packet and a 2022 Strategic plan to ensure continued future growth. Also, under her leadership several NOVA members have received the NOVA RN Excellence Awards; more recently the 2022 Nurse Excellence and 2021 Distinguished Chapter Awards.

Latta has been an active member of the National NOVA Membership Committee for several years, volunteering to assist whenever and wherever needed. This is a huge loss for NOVA, and she will be definitely missed! NOVA expresses our sincere condolences to her family, loved ones and friends.