GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA — Two faculty members from Gwynedd Mercy University have been named finalists for the 2025 Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, one of the state’s highest honors recognizing excellence in nursing. The finalists, selected from more than 150 nominees across 14 categories, reflect leadership and innovation in healthcare education and research.
Dr. Patricia Brown O’Hara, RN, PhD, professor of nursing and student support specialist in the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions, is a finalist in the Nursing Education – Academia category. For over two decades, Dr. Brown O’Hara has helped advance nursing education through one-on-one mentoring, academic coaching, and the development of immersive clinical programs.
She played a pivotal role in creating Gwynedd Mercy University’s Dedicated Education Unit, which partners senior nursing students with professional preceptors for full clinical shifts in hospital settings. Since its launch in 2020, more than 370 students have participated, with roughly 75 percent receiving job offers from their clinical sites following graduation.
Dr. Brown O’Hara also oversees the university’s Nursing Study Abroad Program in Ireland, one of the few international experiences available to nursing students in the region. “To be recognized for work that helps future nurses thrive, both in the classroom and at the bedside, is deeply meaningful,” she said.
Dr. Donna Molyneaux, RN, PhD, professor of nursing, is a finalist in the Nursing Research category. Her work focuses on patient safety, trauma-informed care, and infection prevention. Through her leadership, she has contributed to multi-site studies on pressure injury detection, maternal safety, and nurse-patient relationships, mentoring students and clinical nurses in evidence-based practice. “Nursing research is essential to improving outcomes and advancing our profession,” Dr. Molyneaux said.
Dr. Jane Tang, Dean of the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions, praised the recognition as a reflection of the university’s long-standing commitment to nursing leadership. “Dr. Brown O’Hara and Dr. Molyneaux exemplify GMercyU’s mission to prepare compassionate, skilled nursing professionals who are ready to lead in education, research, and patient care,” Tang said.
The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, now in their 36th year, honor exceptional contributions to the nursing profession across education, research, and clinical practice. Finalists will be celebrated and winners announced at the 36th Anniversary Awards Gala on October 24, 2025, at the Hilton Harrisburg Hotel.
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