Branson Elected President of Nurse Practitioner Association New York State

Dr. Desiree’ M. Branson, DNP, RN, FNP-C, EBP-C, was elected to serve as president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State (NPA). She is an assistant professor in the Wegmans School of Nursing graduate program.

NPA is the only statewide professional association of nurse practitioners, and promotes high standards of health care delivery through the empowerment of nurse practitioners and the profession throughout New York.

Branson’s areas of interest include leadership, advocacy, and evidence-based practice. She is an active member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at the School of Nursing and also serves on the DEI committee within the NPA NYS.

Branson has been practicing as a family nurse practitioner for 16 years and currently maintains practice at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), Department of Anesthesia at the Center for Perioperative Medicine. Her career also includes 14 years of practice in vascular surgery at URMC. Most recently, she served on the COVID Task Force, caring for patients within the complex care network, primary care, employee/student health services, and in partnership with the United Way servicing areas of need within the Rochester community. 

She received her bachelors, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the University of Rochester’s School of Nursing. She maintains membership with Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi, and is the current president of the Delta Chapter at Fisher.

In addition, she is a board member of the Allergy Advocacy Association and is a speaker for Epi Near You New York, presenting on known and unknown life-threatening allergies, anaphylaxis, and the use of epinephrine to save lives.  

Branson is active in supporting and advancing the nurse practitioner profession. She has been a member of the NPA for over 15 years and has served in various board positions including president and regional director of the organization’s Region 2; servicing the areas of Greater Rochester, Finger Lakes, Susquehanna, and Tompkins Cortland.

“Nurse practitioners provide high quality, evidence-based, and culturally competent care to patients. In addition, we improve clinical outcomes, provide cost-effective care, and are trusted members of the health care team,” Branson said. “Nurse practitioners in New York state are strong patient advocates - contributing to health care reform, reducing health care disparities, and removing barriers to care. I am excited and proud to be serving in this role – continuing to support and advocate for all nurse practitioners in NYS.”