Marion Winifred Sheahan

ToNoy

Marion Winifred Sheahan (September 5, 1892 – March 17, 1994) was a public health nurse and administrator whose advocacy work helped guide nursing's response to societal changes. Sheahan was Executive Director of the National Committee for the Improvement of Nursing Services and president of the National Organization for Public Health Nursing from 1944-46. She was the first nurse to serve as head of the American Public Health Association (APHA) in 1960.

Sheahan worked for the New York State Department of Health from 1920 through 1948 where she developed a public health nursing organization. The committee suggested federal funding of educational programs including college-level nursing schools. She was also honored with the Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Red Cross Societies in 1957 and the Pearl McIver Public Health Nurse Award from the American Nurses Association in 1986.

Personal life Sheahan was born in New York City to James C. and Catherine Nolan Sheahan. The family moved to Albany, New York in 1901. She graduated from St. Peter's Hospital School of Nursing in Albany in 1913. She married Frank W. Bailey on March 17, 1935. Baily died in 1947.