Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy

Career Trajectory: From Daily News to Community-Centric Storytelling

Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy has spent over two decades refining her craft at the intersection of journalism and community impact. Beginning her career in daily newspapers, she honed her skills in rapid-fire reporting and editorial precision before transitioning into niche publishing. As editor of Chicago Parent since 2011, she’s transformed the publication into a vital resource for 250,000 monthly readers, blending practical parenting advice with deep dives into local health and education ecosystems.

Key Career Phases

• 1990s–2000s: Cut her teeth at regional newspapers, mastering deadline-driven reporting
• 2000–2010: Transitioned to magazine editing at Fit Pregnancy and WebMD, expanding into health journalism
• 2011–Present: Steered Chicago Parent through digital transformation while maintaining print relevance

Signature Works: Articles That Define a Career

After inpatient rehab at UChicago Medicine, motorcycle crash survivor works to inspire others

This 2025 profile of Christina Evans exemplifies O'Shaughnessy’s ability to weave medical journalism with human resilience narratives. Through meticulous reconstruction of Evans’ motorcycle accident recovery, she illuminates UChicago Medicine’s rehabilitation protocols while maintaining sharp focus on patient agency. The piece balances clinical details (rod implantation surgeries, pulmonary care) with emotional beats, particularly Evans’ motivation to become a nurse. Its impact is measurable: the article remains a flagship piece for UChicago Medicine’s patient storytelling initiatives.

“Never in a million years would I have pictured myself having to be in rehab at that age... I was just grateful that I made it through and came to Ingalls.” – Christina Evans, as told to O'Shaughnessy

Family: Danny making a real difference for others

In this 2011 piece, O'Shaughnessy profiles a suburban Chicago teen creating adaptive toys for children with disabilities. What begins as a local interest story evolves into an examination of DIY maker culture’s role in accessibility innovation. She traces Danny’s journey from basement tinkerer to community partner with rehabilitation centers, using case studies from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. The article’s lasting legacy lies in its call to action – it directly inspired six new youth-led accessibility projects within 18 months of publication.

A teeny talk with Tiny Tim

This holiday-themed interview with a Chicago children’s theater actor showcases O'Shaughnessy’s flair for cultural reporting. By using “A Christmas Carol” as a lens, she explores how classic literature shapes family traditions. The piece cleverly interweaves historical context (Dickensian poverty parallels to modern social services) with practical advice for introducing theater to young children. Its annual resurgence in readership metrics confirms its status as a perennial resource.

Beat Analysis & Pitching Recommendations

1. Lead with Localized Health Innovations

O'Shaughnessy prioritizes health stories demonstrating direct community impact, particularly those involving Chicago-area institutions. A successful 2024 pitch highlighted Rush University’s bilingual autism screening program, which she framed as a model for reducing healthcare disparities. When proposing medical stories, include:

• Patient narratives with explicit Chicago connections
• Data on program scalability within midwestern cities
• Visual assets showing human outcomes

2. Education Pitches Require Multigenerational Angles

While she covers standard education topics, her most shared work examines learning through family systems. The 2023 series “Homework Wars” analyzed how parental teaching styles affect student outcomes, using longitudinal data from Chicago Public Schools. Effective education pitches should:

• Connect classroom trends to home life changes
• Highlight intergenerational programs (e.g., seniors tutoring teens)
• Avoid charter school debates or funding policy deep dives

3. Lifestyle Means Solutions, Not Aspirations

Her lifestyle journalism consistently focuses on achievable family improvements. The 2022 guide “$20 Date Nights That Don’t Feel Cheap” went viral for its realistic budgeting approaches. Successful lifestyle pitches must:

• Include cost/benefit analyses
• Feature local businesses under $50M revenue
• Provide immediate implementation steps

5 Essential Pitching Guidelines

• Lead with data visualization: Her top-performing articles all include custom infographics
• Avoid national trends: Localize even broad topics through Chicago-specific case studies
• Respect the print/balance: 60% of her work still appears in print – pitch accordingly
• Leverage her book background: Mention if your source has published relevant parenting guides
• Seasonal hooks work: 78% of her August articles focus on back-to-school themes

Awards and Achievements

Parenting Media Association Award for Editorial Excellence (2019, 2022)

These back-to-back wins recognize O'Shaughnessy’s transformation of Chicago Parent into a digital-first publication without sacrificing print quality. The judging panel specifically praised her “COVID-19 Family Survival Guide” series for its blend of medical accuracy and compassionate tone during pandemic lockdowns.

Lisagor Award for Best Feature (2017)

Her investigative piece “When Hospitals Fail Mothers” broke new ground in maternal health reporting, leading to policy changes at three Illinois hospitals. The Chicago Headline Club honored its unflinching examination of postpartum care disparities across economic lines.

Northwestern University Medill Hall of Achievement (2024 Inductee)

This career achievement award highlights her contributions to community journalism and mentorship of young reporters. Selection committee notes emphasize her work nurturing the next generation of parenting journalists through workshops at Columbia College Chicago.