Ann Leonhardt-Caprio Recognized for American Heart Association Leadership

Ann Leonhardt-Caprio, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, FAHA, was honored by the American Heart Association for her work on both the local and national levels.

The assistant professor and UR Nursing alumna received the Leadership Legacy Award. The award recognizes Leonhardt-Caprio's exceptional service to the Eastern States Region of the American Heart Association as a longtime volunteer. She was one of only 11 volunteers to receive this award across the entire 13-state footprint of the Eastern States region.

Leonhardt-Caprio, who earned her master's in 2006 and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2020, has served in several local leadership roles for the American Heart Association, including as the advisory board president, 2022 Go Red for Women interim chairperson, and a member of the 2021 Rochester Heart Walk & Run executive leadership team and the Rochester Circle of Red.

She has also served on the national American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Council and received the Stroke Article of the Year Award at Scientific Sessions last year. Since 2011, she has served as the program coordinator of the the University of Rochester Comprehensive Stroke Center at Strong Memorial Hospital. 

"My work with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association over the years has been professionally and personally rewarding and I am humbled to have received the award," Leonhardt-Caprio said. 

“Ann has been an amazing volunteer and advocate for the American Heart Association, not only in Rochester, but on a national scale as well,” said Jason Stulb, executive director of the American Heart Association's Rochester chapter. “Above and beyond her leadership positions with us, she also helped lead our CPR response planning for the community with UR Medicine in the wake of the Damar Hamlin event. Ann was key in advocating for this project and it would not have happened without her.”