Suozzi Honors 'Women of Distinction'

Hempstead, N.Y.— Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, joined by the County’s Department of Minority Affairs, hosted the annual County Executive’s “Women of Distinction Award” luncheon today at Hofstra University.

This year’s seven honorees are: former New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Patton; Caroline Monti Saladino, president of the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, which raises money to support cancer research; Manjari Bhatt, a nurse and public relations coordinator of the women’s wing of the New York Chapter of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu-faith-based organization; Patty Chow, an accountant and volunteer with the Chinese Center on Long Island, Inc.; Dr. Young Hi Shin, an obstetrician/gynecologist at North Shore Hospital; Amina Shaw, founding member of the Islamic Center of Long Island; and Dr. Jacqueline Delmont, an internist actively involved with the South Nassau Communities Hospital Latino Physicians Directory.

“I am thrilled to honor these seven outstanding women, and I thank them for their important contributions not just to their professions and their communities, but to the County as a whole,” Suozzi said. “Their hard work and dedication are vital to making Nassau County a great place to live.”

During her three terms in the New York State Assembly, representing the 18th Assembly District on Long Island, Barbara Patton won a reputation as a fighter for the interests of Nassau County’s families, children and seniors. After her service in the Assembly, then-Gov. Mario Cuomo appointed her commissioner and chair of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. And in 1999, as commissioner of the Nassau County Board of Elections, Patton helped modernize the County’s election procedures. She currently teaches legal studies at Hofstra University. Patton and her husband live in Malverne.

When her brother, Don, died from acute myeloblastic leukemia in 1972, Caroline Monti Saladino’s parents established the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. Today, Monti Saladino is president of the foundation, which since its inception has raised $36 million to support research, education and patient care at North Shore Hospital. Long Island is now home to several Don Monti Cancer Centers, forming the largest network of cancer treatment centers in the region. She and her husband live in Lloyd Harbor.

Born in Gujarat State in India, Manjari Bhatt immigrated to the U.S., where she completed her nursing training. Today, she lives with her husband in Manhasset, and serves as managing director of a network of orthopedic and rehabilitation centers. She also serves as coordinator of public relations for the New York Chapter of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu-faith-based organization. She is especially active programs that focus on community health and women’s and children’s issues.

Garden City resident Patty Chow is a volunteer with the Chinese Center on Long Island, a non-profit Chinese cultural organization, based in West Hempstead. Chow is devoted to the Center’s children’s programs, helping direct a performing troupe that appears in parades, nursing homes, museums and local schools and businesses.

Dr. Young Hi Shin earned her medical degree in her native Korea, and currently is attending obstetrician/gynecologist at North Shore Hospital. Shin is also part of the Queens-Long Island Medical Group, P.C., based in New Hyde Park. She and her husband live in Roslyn.

Amina Shaw, who lives in Syosset, is a founding member of the Islamic Center of Long Island and the Crescent School. She is active in several youth programs, women’s rights groups and educational initiatives.

Dr. Jacqueline Delmont is an internist who is committed to ensuring Spanish-speaking Nassau County residents get the health care they need. As part of the South Nassau Communities Hospital Latino Physicians Directory, she works hand-in-hand with non-profit organizations to assist them in caring for the Hispanic community. She has helped private healthcare institutions, such as nursing homes, design programs that serve Long Island’s growing Hispanic community.