Professional Bios
Dr. Nancy O'Hara is a board certified Pediatrician. Until January 2010, she was the Assistant Medical Director for Defeat Autism Now!® Physican Training and the Physican Mentoring Director for Defeat Autism Now!® in Europe. Prior to her medical career, Dr. O'Hara taught children with autism. She graduated magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society from the University of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine. She earned a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. After residency, chief residency and general pediatric fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. O' Hara was in private practice for 7 years. Dr. O'Hara has worked with Dr. Sidney Baker and other practitioners in the research and care of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder for many years. Since 1999 she has dedicated her practice to the integrative and holistic care of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Dr. Gail Szakacs is board certified in Internal Medicine. She graduated from Hamilton College in 1995 with honors. After three years of working in the healthcare field and doing medical research, she attended St. George's University School of Medicine where she was a member of the Iota Epsilon Alpha International Medical Honor Society. After completing her Internal Medicine residency at St. Michael's Medical Center (a Seton Hall University program) in Newark, NJ, Dr. Szakacs worked as a Hospitalist in CT. Through personal involvement with Autism, she met Dr. O'Hara and in September 2006, Dr. Szakacs began a mentor program with Dr. O'Hara and subsequently joined her practice in January 2007. In July 2008, Dr. Szakacs and Dr. O'Hara became partners and opened Optimal Health Initiatives, LLC.
