Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has been named the 2013 Legislator of the Year by the Rhode Island State Nurses Association.

He was honored at a ceremony held recently at the State House, and presented a plaque to recognize his support of the profession of nursing and patient advocacy. The award was announced last week as the RI State Nurses Association recognizes National Nurses Week.

The Legislator of the Year Award is presented annually by the organization’s Government Affairs Committee to honor a member of the General Assembly who has been supportive of the nursing profession, important health policy issues and advocacy for equity in access to health care in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island State Nurses Association has chosen McNamara for this year’s honor because, according to Anne Neuville, NP, chair of the Government Affairs Committee and a RISNA Board of Directors member, he has been “a dedicated and compassionate advocate for health issues in Rhode Island.”

McNamara said, “I have the utmost respect, admiration and appreciation for the hard-working, dedicated and talented health care professions in our state. As I have done since first being elected to the House of Representatives and especially as chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, I will continue to support their great work and to help them improve the quality of life and the quality of health care for all our state’s residents.”