Maureen O'Hara

Description

Maureen T. O'Hara was born in Bangor, Maine. In 1952 she moved with her family to Syracuse NY, where attended Most Holy Rosary High School and went on to receive a degree in nursing from St. Joseph's College of Nursing. She went on to receive a master's degree in pediatric clinical nursing from Syracuse University and was certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner by Upstate Medical University College. O'Hara began nursing by providing medical care to the Native Americans in Gallup, New Mexico, and Ganado, Arizona. Later she provided medical care to the poor in New Orleans as a member of Project Hope. She returned to Syracuse and began working with children. She coordinated health care services for abused children and those in foster care. She was also a consultant and researcher in the area of child development. She provided assessment services for sexually abused and neglected children at the Child Abuse Referral and Evaluation Clinic. She also co-led a group for parents who have lost a child to SIDS and co-led a Social Skills Group for children with autism. She was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and retired after a 22-year career with the rank of lieutenant colonel. She died in 2012 of ovarian cancer.