Jeff O' Neal Receives WMHS Horizon Award

Photo: WMHS President and CEO Barry Ronan presents the Horizon Award to Jeff O'Neal, System Director of Behavioral Health Services.

Jeff O'Neal, System Director of Behavioral Health Services, was named the most recent recipient of the WMHS Horizon Award, which recognizes excellence in the leadership of people.

Since joining WMHS in May 2004, Jeff has embodied the mission and spirit of WMHS. Jeff has worked closely with his team to expand the health system's behavioral health services in response to community need. Under Jeff's leadership, a physician-based buprenorphine clinic and an intensive outpatient program were developed and both our outpatient mental health clinic and outpatient substance abuse clinic became licensed by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In addition, the inpatient behavioral health unit has been recognized for outstanding patient satisfaction results twice within the past year.

Jeff's nomination also cited him for creating a positive work environment, seeking staff input, putting patients' needs first, and serving as a role model to encourage staff to become more involved in the community.

Jeff has an extensive background in behavioral health and came to WMHS from Washington County Health Systems, where he was serving as Clinical Director, Behavioral Health Services. Jeff holds a BA in sociology from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Hood College.

The Horizon Award was developed as a biannual award by a team of employees to recognize a supervisor, manager, or department director for leading by example, creating a positive work environment, inspiring staff to a high level of excellence, being a role model for Service Excellence, and demonstrating the WMHS Core Values.

Jeff joins past Horizon Award recipients Kim Martin, Nurse Manager of Progressive Care Unit and ICU at Sacred Heart; Cathy Carter, Manager of Admissions and Registration; and Karen Stair, Director of Cardiovascular Services. He is the fourth recipient of the Horizon Award, which was first presented in 2005.