Dr. McNamara received his medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. Following completion of his residency, Dr. McNamara did his fellowship training in Pediatric Pulmonology at Boston Children's Hospital and at the Harvard School of Public Health. Subsequently, he served as a faculty member at the Harvard Medical School and directed the Pulmonary and Cystic Fibrosis Clinics and was co-director of the bronchoscopy program.

Dr. McNamara is board-certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics in both General Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology. He is also board certified in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine, which is a rare certification for pediatricians. He has special interests in cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic lung disease, recurrent pneumonia, congenital malformations of the lung and the care of children with life limiting conditions.

Dr. McNamara serves as a clinical associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota and teaches medical students, residents and graduate physicians. He is a member of numerous medical staff committees at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and is Medical Director for Cystic Fibrosis, Home care, Palliative Care & Hospice and the Transitional Technology Supported programs.