Mary M. Harroun MS, NHA

Dr. Mary M. Harroun, MS, NHA is a geriatric psychologist, author, creator, and retired nursing home administrator, who has worked in the long-term care industry since 1972. After spending about fifteen years in the long term care field working with elderly as a social worker, activity director, and nursing home administrator she realized that the elderly needed special medical equipment and care.

In 2005, she co-founded the GROW (Getting Residents out of Wheelchairs) Coalition, working collaboratively to design the concept of Mobility Assessment Clinics for use in nursing homes. The culmination of her dedication, work and efforts in 2011 was the publication of The GROW Program: Returning Residents to Independent Ambulation, a 162-page education manual that provides guidance in fall prevention in nursing homes. ACHCA awarded Ms. Harroun an Outstanding Education Award for The GROW Program Manual. She was honored the award for her outstanding contributions in educating nursing home workers in methods of maintaining and improving resident mobility, preventing falls, and providing quality of life. Mary not only has developed products to assist people to return to walking and also continue walking, but will continue to write and speak on these topics to geriatric forums.