Homeland Infection Preventionist/ADON Latashia Simmons: Keeping residents safe

Even as her job gets busier and she takes on more responsibilities, Latashia Simmons makes sure to spend time with Homeland Center’s residents.

“When I’m going around and seeing who needs vaccinations, that’s one way I can socialize,” she said. “I talk with the residents about movies or what they’re watching on TV. We talk about pets. Kids. Just anything.”

Latashia is a 13-year member of the Homeland family, recently promoted to the critical infection preventionist position. It’s a role she holds even as she continues as an assistant director of nursing, filling in when other ADONs go on vacation or take leave.

The infection prevention post opened in January 2024. At first, Latashia hesitated to apply because it meant adding more responsibilities to a plate already loaded with being ADON, earning her bachelor’s degree, and being a mom and wife.

She took the opportunity because she is a super-learner, always striving to build knowledge and reach the next career step. Infection prevention is a critical skill she’ll need if she decides to become a director of nursing someday.

“It is very, very challenging,” she said. “If there are some things I don’t know, I look to other resources to guide me.”

Sometimes, she’ll find the answer from other infection preventionists. She also knows she can turn to Homeland Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas or President/CEO Barry Ramper II for help.

Latashia’s title describes her duties. If there is an infection case of any kind in a unit, she helps lead efforts to contain it and keep Homeland residents safe. She oversees vaccinations of all sorts — COVID, flu, pneumonia. She communicates with physicians and family members to receive clearances and ensure that appropriate care is delivered to each resident.

“The new project I’m working on is getting out shingle vaccines,” she said.

She expects to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing from U.S. University in 2025. Clinicals are coming soon, and she’s hoping to earn those field credits at Homeland.

Getting a bachelor’s degree is important to her.

“It’s always good to be more educated,” Latashia said. “In school, I’m writing a lot of papers on evidence-based practices, which ties into my work because a lot of the work in infection is evidence-based.”

Bulletins and news from the CDC and its Health Alert Network simplify staying on top of infection trends. From there, she maintains a never-ending learning loop to keep Homeland staff updated about infection-prevention practices.

“I try to stay out on the floors so people can see me and follow what I’m doing,” she said. “I try to set an example.”

Outside of work, Latashia’s four kids keep her busy. She is excited about becoming a first-time grandmother when her eldest son becomes a dad this summer.

Her 18-year-old son is taking an educational trip to Italy next year, which inspired an idea. She reached out and asked if family members could go. The answer was yes, so Latashia, her husband, and their two youngest children, ages 12 and 14, are going to Italy.

“I had to jump on that opportunity because I never really take time off,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”

Latashia’s husband also works in the maintenance department at Homeland.

“He works the night shift, coming in at 7,” she said. “I do a lot of double shifts, so when I’m here until 11, I see him for a couple of hours.”

As she continues in her new role, Latashia expects to keep learning. As always, there’s one thing she loves about Homeland most of all.

“What I love is the residents,” she said. “I love socializing with them. They’re my family away from home.”