Nancy, who is based in Charleston, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Medicine. She has taught classes in the Department of Community Medicine's Educational Programs, and she is involved in school health research. She holds a doctorate and a master's degree from the University of Maryland, and a baccalaureate degree from Providence College.

Before joining the WVU faculty, Dr. O'Hara Tompkins was active in teaching and research at the University of Texas School of Public Health and the University of South Carolina School of Public Health.