Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Assistant Professor to retire

Research Assistant Professor Nancy O’Hara-Tompkins, PhD, is retiring from the West Virginia University School of Public Health Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences on Dec. 31.

Dr. O’Hara-Tompkins has worked part-time at WVU since 1996, beginning in the Department of Community Medicine and as a co-investigator with the West Virginia Prevention Research Center. She was the primary advisor for Charleston-based students in the online Master of Public Health program and facilitated practice-based experiences for our students who worked full-time while pursuing their degrees.

Her proximity to state agencies in Charleston, particularly the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health and Department of Education, led to many fruitful collaborations. Dr. O’Hara-Tompkins is particularly proud of her many publications with practitioner co-authors to advance the field of public health with practice-based evidence.

In her retirement, Nancy plans to become a master gardener, a pickle ball aficionado and most importantly, throw more tennis balls for her dog Lido. The School of Public Health thanks Dr. O’Hara-Tompkins for her leadership and service and wish her a rewarding and restful retirement.