Inspired by her father, a physician and brigadier general in the Medical Corps of the United States military, Dr. Margaret Lou Moore Konefal Gallagher decided to pursue a similar career in health care. After undertaking coursework at Duke University, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Incarnate Word College in 1961. Following this achievement, she received a Master of Science in Nursing from the Catholic University of America in 1969. In addition, after accruing years in her industry, she returned to higher education and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in urban services from Old Dominion University in 1991. Notably, Dr. Gallagher is a certified nurse administrator and a registered nurse in the state of Texas.
Recognized as an acclaimed health care consultant, Dr. Gallagher was the principal owner of Margaret Gallagher and Associates Healthcare Consulting from 2008 until her retirement in 2012. Prior to this appointment, she served in several leadership roles, including as the associate chief nursing officer and director of women and infant services at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, senior manager and health care industry leader for the Internal Audit Services and Gulf Coast Area for Ernst & Young LLP, and administrative director for the Pediatrics, Child and Adolescent Center at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, as part of The University of Texas. Earlier in her career, Dr. Gallagher served as the director of clinical education and performance development at Memorial Healthcare Systems in Savannah, Georgia, director of critical care nursing at the Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and an associate director of nursing at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. She commenced her career in 1972 as a clinical nurse specialist and clinical coordinator of newborn services at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Furthermore, Dr. Gallagher has taught in academia at Texas Women’s University, The Ohio State University and Norfolk State University. Civically involved, she has further volunteered for the March of Dimes, the American Red Cross and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Currently, Dr. Gallagher teaches with NAMI Homefront, through which she supports family members of military personnel and veterans with mental health concerns.
Looking toward the future, Dr. Gallagher intends to continue enjoying her retirement. She is particularly proud of the opportunities afforded to her to mentor fellow nursing leaders who have furthered their own successful careers.
