Christina Lamb
Interview with Margaret Gallagher, March 2, 2006

Mrs. Margaret Gallagher (b. February 24, 1949), private business owner of Patient Care Executive Consulting, former Vice President of St. Vincent’s Hospital Patient Care Services, and current member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives and The New York State Nursing Association, is truly an impressive leader. She was born in Brooklyn to supportive and loving parents, and moved to Staten Island with her husband in 1971 to by a home. The first part of the interview chronicles her education at Brooklyn Kearney High School in Brooklyn, Staten Island Community College, and eventually Wagner College for her undergraduate and master’s degrees. The second part of the interview focuses on her extensive career in the nursing field as a registered nurse, as a powerful and influential executive at St. Vincent’s Hospital, as an adjunct professor at both CSI and Wagner College, and finally as the owner of Patient Care Executive Consulting. She discusses her reasons for becoming a nurse and sheds light on her leadership style with subordinates, coworkers, and students from all areas of her careers. With wisdom and knowledge, she discusses the importance of understanding and patience with her coworkers. She echoes an involved disposition with those beneath her and tries to make her coworkers feel appreciated and valued. Margaret Gallagher then explains the leadership advice she would give her nursing students during lectures at CSI. Beyond this, she gives her opinion on the differences between male and female leadership styles and promotes the balanced union between both to achieve the highest success. The interview continues with her experience as a female leader in a world of male executives at St. Vincent’s Hospital and touches on her relationship with her supportive and successful husband, Mr. Gallagher. She then sheds light on her own successful business- Patient Care Executive Consulting. The interview concludes with her reflections on her proudest achievements- her wonderful children, and she closes the discussion by giving invaluable advice to future female leaders.