In Memoriam: Marie L. O’Koren, 1926-2012

Marie L. O’Koren, professor and dean emerita of the School of Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, died last month. She was 86 years old.

Dr. O’Koren served as the second dean of the nursing school from 1970 to 1987. She joined the faculty at the nursing school in 1958. Six years later, she was appointed assistant dean and chair of graduate programs. As dean she established the first doctoral program in nursing in the southeastern United States. An endowed chair at the nursing school now bears her name.

A native of Eveleth, Minnesota, Dr. O’Koren began her education in nursing at the University of Minnesota and completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Long Beach State College. She held a master’s degree in nursing and an educational doctorate from the University of Alabama.