Senator Mattera Honors Smithtown Resident As His Woman of Distinction
May 24, 2023
Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District) recently honored Mary Ellen McCrossen of Smithtown as his 2023 Woman of Distinction for her work at Catholic Health and her community efforts. To celebrate the recognition, Senator Mattera welcomed Ms. McCrossen and her husband Richard to Albany for a special Senate Women of Distinction ceremony.
“Mary Ellen is a friend who is always there for her family, her neighbors, her community and everyone who is in need. I have had the good fortune of working with her on many efforts to help our fellow Smithtown residents as well as those in our region and it is my honor to try to show her how appreciated she is,” stated Senator Mattera.
Ms. McCrossen currently serves the community as a Community Relations Manager and EMS Liaison for Catholic Health. Through her work, she has earned the respect of the medical staff, hospital leadership, local EMS and various fire departments.
In her role as CRM and EMS Liaison for multiple hospitals, Ms. McCrossen has hosted hundreds of blood, food and clothing drives that have benefitted homeless shelters, local food pantries and various religious and senior centers.
A staple in the community, Ms. McCrossen, a proud mother of four, serves on the boards of both the Smithtown and Kings Park Chambers of Commerce and the Smithtown Historical Society. She is also a member of two other Chambers, the St. James Civic Association, the Women’s Diversity Network, the Sheriff’s Re-Entry Task Force and the Suffolk County’s 4th Precinct Ambassador Program.
In one such effort, Ms. McCrossen initiated a “Healthy Feet Sock Drive,” collecting donations at six hospitals and three nursing homes to supply veterans, kids, individuals with diabetes and the underserved. She also piloted a “Meals of Hope” program that is distributing over 80,000 meals this year across Long Island and Queens.
Ms. McCrossen also volunteers her time to honor employees who served the nation by distributing pins, decorating hospitals with American flags and leading Veterans Day ceremonies. Always giving of herself, Ms. McCrossen became a “Live Donor” several years ago when she donated one of her kidneys to her brother.
In March 2021, Ms. McCrossen received the Community Service Award by the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce and was also recognized by Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy with both the Health Care Hero Award and Woman of Distinction Award.
