CREATING UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES ABROAD
For more than two decades, Professor Patricia Brown-O’ Hara, PhD, RN’ 80, has shaped the next generation of nurses at GMercyU through mentorship, innovative clinical programs, and unwavering dedication to student success.
From pioneering the Dedicated Education Unit, where senior nursing students gain hands-on experience alongside preceptors to leading the University’ s Nursing Study Abroad Program in Ireland, Dr. O’ Hara has left an indelible mark on nursing education at GMercyU, where she earned her own BSN degree in 1980.
Senator Maria Collett, President Deanne D ' Emilio, Representative Mary Jo Daley ' 69, and Representative Liz Hanbidge
In 2018, Dr. O’ Hara launched GMercyU’ s nursing study abroad program in Ireland with just four students. Today, 79 students have participated, with many more planning to travel in Summer 2026. Students earn six academic credits, enjoy excursions, room and board, and connect with more than 100 peers at the University of Limerick’ s summer program. These experiences are transformative, shaping students’ professional skills, cultural awareness, and personal growth.
GMercyU’ s Nursing program is one of the few programs in the country that offers a credit-earning study abroad experience for their undergraduate students.
To make this life-changing opportunity more accessible, Dr. O’ Hara, along with her family and friends, established the Dr. Patricia Brown-O’ Hara’ 80 Ireland Nursing Fellowship Scholarship. This scholarship helps defray the costs of study abroad, ensuring more nursing students can participate in this exceptional program.
“ Study abroad programs can be defining moments in a person’ s life and continue to impact them for years after the experience. As part of my legacy, my family and I created this scholarship to help students pursue this invaluable opportunity,” Dr. O’ Hara said.
This scholarship empowers future nurses to experience the world, grow professionally, and return with skills and perspectives that benefit their communities and the nursing profession.
In honor of her decades of contributions to nursing education and GMercyU, Dr. O’ Hara was recognized with the 2025 Gwynedd Mercy University Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching, named a finalist for the 2025 Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, and earned the title of Professor Emerita at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.
Left: Professor Patricia Brown-O’ Hara, PhD, RN’ 80 and nursing students who participated in the Nursing Study Abroad Program in Ireland
CAMPAIGN IMPACT REPORT 13