Judi Theresa O'Hara, Ed.D., RN, CAGS, CNE

Background

Dr. Judi O’Hara, a nurse educator for over 30 years, serves as the Director of Undergraduate Nursing Education, which includes oversight of the ASN, BSN and RN/BSN programs. In this role, O’Hara works closely with faculty to develop a high-caliber education, both on-campus and online. Dr. O’Hara’s responsibilities include facilitating curricular development and assessment, ongoing systematic evaluation, and coordination of full time and clinical adjunct faculty.

Dr. O’Hara has worked as a nurse in the following areas, oncology/hematology, cardiac intensive care and as a hospice home care nurse. As an educator and director, she is able to share her passion for nursing with future nurses. Most recently, Dr. O’Hara assisted in securing a $4 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources Administration (HRSA). The grant funded Project SEND (Seeking Excellence through Diversity), a program that supports LPNs from diverse backgrounds or underserved areas to move into Rivier’s ASN program.

Positions and Honors

• 1992-present: Assistant Professor, Division of Nursing (Rivier University)
• 2015-present: Director of Undergraduate Nursing Education (ASN, BSN), Rivier University
• 2008, 2012: Campus Compact for New Hampshire Presidents’ Steward Award
• 2016: New Hampshire Nurses Association President’s Award

Degrees

• Ed.D., Rivier University
• CAGS, Rivier College
• M.S., University of Massachusetts, Lowell
• B.S., University of Massachusetts, Lowell

Academic Philosophy

“As a facilitator of learning, I foster a learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming, and where “kindness matters” is role-modeled and expected. Each individual brings a unique perspective formed by beliefs, values, and past experiences to the learning community. Within the community, an individual’s cognitive and emotional intelligence are appreciated and growth within the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of learning is facilitated. Learning is an active process that takes place both inside and outside the classroom.

Experiential learning through simulation, clinical nursing experiences, and immersion allow students to interact with others. Students are given the opportunity to see, to do, and to understand through connections within the greater communities in which we exist. A guided reflection of the experience promotes a deeper meaning of the learning for the student. My hope is to inspire students to be the best they can be, to make a difference in the world, and to respect and advocate the human dignity of each individual.”

Specialties

• Multicultural Health
• Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention in Higher Education
• Health Assessment