Catherine O’Neal, MD, has been appointed to the newly created role of chief academic officer for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS). In her new position, O’Neal will leverage her passion and commitment to graduate medical education to advance the health system’s strategic academic vision. She will focus on ensuring alignment and consistency with all academic partners across the health system.
“We are committed to educating, supporting and developing the next generation of clinicians,” said E.J. Kuiper, president and CEO of FMOLHS. “We are truly fortunate to have such a visionary physician leader in Dr. O’Neal, and I look forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make across our health system.”
O’Neal has been practicing medicine since 2003, specializing in the research and treatment of infectious diseases. She has held numerous clinical leadership roles throughout her career, all focused on driving improved patient outcomes and developing zero-harm care environments.
“Louisiana is home, and I am honored to play an active role in supporting the development of the clinical leaders of tomorrow to meet the needs of the vibrant communities we serve,” said O’Neal. “By investing in education today, we have the ability to support and grow the next generation of clinicians through our organization.”
In March 2020, just days prior to Louisiana’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, O’Neal was appointed chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. O’Neal was one of Louisiana’s leading voices during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a national expert providing frontline information from hospitals, offering invaluable guidance to state officials that helped shape the state’s response and advocating for community vaccination.
Since 2009, O’Neal has served on the faculty of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, most recently as an associate professor of clinical medicine and infectious diseases. In her role, she teaches the next generation of healthcare providers and participates in research initiatives focused on rapid diagnostics and antibiotic utilization.
O’Neal completed medical school and residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans and an infectious diseases fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During the fellowship, O’Neal completed training in infection prevention, a skill set that proved essential in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she was appointed as the chief medical advisor for the Southeastern Conference responsible for facilitating the development of conference-wide medical initiatives and standards to ensure consistent policies related to physical health, mental health, and holistic wellness.