Sharon McNamara
RN, MSN, CNOR
Sharon McNamara’s 55-year career in perioperative practice has included caring for myriad communities, advocating for patient quality and safety, and leading the nursing profession. Clinically, the OR Dx + Rx Founding Partner and Perioperative Nursing Safety Consultant has practiced as a Surgical Technologist, OR Staff Registered Nurse, Perioperative Clinical Nurse Specialist, OR Manager, and Director of Surgical Services.
A sought-after international speaker, author and consultant, Ms. McNamara led the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) as President in 2005-2006, and the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety as Chair in 2009-2010.
In addition to her extensive hospital experience, Ms. McNamara influenced the practice of surgical technology and perioperative nursing as a clinical instructor for ten years, and as a Director of those programs for five years at Trocaire College. This formal education experience augmented her clinical skills, giving her a depth of understanding regarding issues such as addressing the needs of patients and staff, communication via various media methods to enhance patient and practitioner safety and quality of care, and effective chain of command interactions.
Retiring from hospital practice in 2010, Ms. McNamara says that she “quickly failed retirement.” She accepted a position with the North Carolina Hospital Association Quality and Safety Center, where as a Performance Improvement Specialist she led the Safe Surgery Collaborative, which implemented the Safe Surgery Checklist in every hospital in North Carolina. A second collaborative focused on prevention of surgical site infection (SSI), defect analysis, bundle implementation and lean methodologies to standardize practice in preparation for public reporting of SSI.
Ms. McNamara is also a Perioperative Nursing Consultant, performing on-site perioperative assessments, post-assessment coaching, auditing, webinars, safety alerts and tool development for medical insurers. In this position, she also strategizes to reduce risk, reduce medical errors, minimize risk to patients and support more effective teamwork.
It was through this experience that Ms. McNamara met her colleagues at OR Dx + Rx, who were of like mind in understanding the needs of today’s surgical departments. In her work for OR Dx + Rx clients, Ms. McNamara brings a unique viewpoint and extensive knowledge to help surgical departments identify and implement best practices. She takes a holistic approach that benefits patients, practitioners and hospitals.
Ms. McNamara lives in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling the world with her husband, John. Her grandson Georgie and family remind her of the importance of her work. She is an avid pickle ball player and loves to dance.