Judi Theresa O'Hara, Ed.D., MSN, RN

Background

Dr. Judi O’Hara, a nurse educator for over 30 years, serves as both the Director of Undergraduate Nursing and an Assistant Professor of Nursing. In this role, O’Hara works closely with faculty to deliver 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 oncology/hematology, cardiac intensive care, and hospice home care. As an educator and director, she can 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) is a program that supports LPNs from diverse backgrounds or underserved areas in entering 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 allows students to interact with others. Students are given the opportunity to see, do, and understand through connections within the greater communities in which we live. 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 for the human dignity of each individual.”

Specialties

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