Elena M. Lardizzone, RN, BSN
Elena Lardizzone is a highly experienced Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing who has been practicing since 2005. She began her career at The New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, where she developed a strong clinical foundation in acute care. Since 2008, she has specialized in emergency medicine, working in high-volume emergency departments where she has managed complex and critical cases, including trauma alerts, stroke codes, and life-threatening medical emergencies.
Throughout her career, Elena has been widely recognized for her exceptional clinical skill and deeply compassionate approach to patient care. She has received approximately 10 Daisy Awards, a remarkable achievement that reflects her ability to provide comfort and dignity to patients during their most vulnerable moments. Her nurse leadership has noted that she has earned more Daisy Awards than anyone else in the facility, an especially notable distinction given the fast-paced and high-acuity nature of emergency nursing.
Elena’s commitment to nursing was shaped early in life through her personal caregiving experiences. At just 13 years old, she became a primary caregiver for her grandfather, who had a tracheostomy due to head and neck cancer, and her grandmother, who was living with multiple myeloma. These formative experiences instilled in her a lifelong dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care and reinforced her belief in preserving dignity during end-of-life and critical care situations.
In addition to her hospital-based emergency nursing career, Elena serves as a nursing director for a summer camp in Kings Park, where she oversees the health and safety of hundreds of children, including those with chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes and severe allergies. She continues to serve in multiple clinical settings across New York while remaining actively involved in her community and family life, bringing together advanced clinical expertise, leadership, and unwavering compassion in every aspect of her work.
• Queensborough Community College - A.D.N.
• Farmingdale State College - B.S.N.
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) certified
• Approximately 10 Daisy Awards for exceptional patient care
• Recognized by leadership for highest number of Daisy Awards in facility
• Multiple patient-care excellence recognitions throughout career
• ENA (Emergency Nurses Association)
• Nursing Director, Summer Camp (Kings Park, NY) providing healthcare oversight for children
• Charitable boxing events raising funds for veterans’ housing and transportation
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Care
- Critical Care
- Home health nursing care
- Patient safety and rapid assessment
- Nursing supervision and leadership roles
- Stroke and critical care response
- Patient advocacy and compassionate end-of-life care
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about practicing nursing is the ability to care for people during some of their most vulnerable and critical moments. Nursing, for me, has always felt natural because I have a deep commitment to helping others and building trust through compassionate care. I find purpose in being present for patients when they need support the most, and in ensuring they are treated with dignity, respect, and empathy throughout their care experience.