A Fond Farewell: Mary Ann Christopher

Accolades, tributes and official proclamations poured in from leaders all across the state in recognition of the tremendous contribution Mary Ann Christopher has made to nursing in New Jersey throughout her career.

Christopher was feted at the New Jersey Action Coalition’s December 2 meeting. She will be stepping down from her position as Action Coalition co-lead in December, as she prepares for her new role as president and chief executive officer of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), effective January 2012.

In a proclamation, Governor Chris Christie noted that Christopher’s “energetic leadership and dedication to patient advocacy” have furthered the nursing profession. “Your efforts have had a profound and positive impact on the state of New Jersey. Thank you for a job well done,” he said.

Unable to attend the event himself, U.S. Congressman Rush Holt sent a representative from his district office, Alex Koerte, with a special message for Christopher. He offered his “deepest appreciation” for all her work and expressed a desire to continue working together to advance the role of nursing.

A longtime champion of Christopher’s nursing and patient advocacy work, State Senator Joe Vitale presented a proclamation in recognition of her legacy and contributions to residents of the garden state. Quoting Henry Adams who said “a teacher affects eternity:  he can never tell where his influence stops,” Vitale said “and so it is with nurses, and so it is with Mary Ann Christopher.”

Christopher said her decision to accept the VNSNY position was a difficult one, in large part because of her tremendous affection for New Jersey. “I love what I do every day in New Jersey. It has been a joy for me. It’s been a joy for me because of you. It has been a privilege.”

VNSNY is the nation’s largest not-for-profit home health care organization providing a wide range of services to New Yorkers of all ages and helping meet health care needs throughout the five boroughs of New York, and in Westchester and Nassau counties. Prior to her appointment with VNSNY, Christopher was president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association Of Central Jersey, serving more than 127,000 people annually throughout New Jersey.

Mary Wachter, co-chair for the Action Coalition’s leadership group, will become the new Action Coalition co-lead, along with Dave Knowlton and Edna Cadmus. Christopher will remain in her role as chair of the National Advisory Committee for NJNI.