Mary Opal Wolanin

Mary Opal Wolanin (November 1, 1910 – May 22, 1997) was an American nurse and expert in eldercare. She was one of the pioneers of gerontological nursing in the United States and conducted research on long-term care for the elderly, which “made her nationally known.” During her tenure at the University of Arizona School of Nursing, she started a graduate program in gerontological nursing, the first of its kind in the United States. She also worked for the care of Native Americans affected with tuberculosis. In 1996, she became the first Arizona nurse, who was inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame.