The Capital Chapter honored Mary Ann Cresanti by establishing a garden at the Sisters of Saint Joseph Provincial House in Latham. Mary Ann died in 2010. Mary Ann was the first Nurse Practitioner of the Year in 2008. She devoted time and energy to the promotion of the nurse practitioner profession through outstanding leadership, mentoring and education of members on clinical practice issues.

She was involved in the Capital Chapter and the NPA for over 20 years. She led the Practice Issues Committee. She volunteered in this role from 2000 to 2006. She assisted with development of the Practice Issues Guide that served as a resource for members on professional practice issues Mary Ann was appointed to the New York State Departments of Health’s Professional Medical Conduct Committee in 2005. She served as a liaison to the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions on NP Scope of Practice.

She was involved in organizing one of the first Nurse Practitioner Programs with Nancy Macintyre in the Capital Region in the 1980’s. As an NP at the Whitney Young Health Center, she managed patient care for a medically underserved population. Ms. Cresanti was employed by the New York State Department of Health and was responsible for coordination of the survey process for home care and hospice agencies improving health care for NYS residents. She also was the Assistant Director of Nursing Services at Samaritan Hospital. She was a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.