ARTHUR A. GIANELLI, PRESIDENT/CEO NASSAU HEALTH CARE CORPORATION, ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF JOHN T. O’CONNELL AS SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT/CEO
-Positively influenced health care advocacy over his long and distinguished career as former President/CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, Inc.—
-Unparalleled ability to serve as an important voice in health and welfare advocacy for many years will benefit NHCC’s patients and be a strong asset as we develop the Institute for Minority Health Care Disparities –
East Meadow, New York……Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC) announced the appointment of John T. O’Connell to the executive staff of the NHCC. Mr. O’Connell joins the NHCC as a Special Advisor to the President, after a long and distinguished career as the President/CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, Inc. where he started in 1976 and became President and CEO in 1988. The Health and Welfare Council advocates for the health and economic security of Long Island’s most needy families and individuals.
Mr. Gianelli stated: “We are very happy to welcome Jack O’Connell to the Nassau Health Care Corporation. He is a tireless advocate for the needy of Long Island. Jack O’Connell has been instrumental in initiating and securing funding for countless programs for the needy of our community. His strong leadership background and unparalleled ability to serve as an important voice in health and welfare advocacy coupled with his long and distinguished career, will benefit our patients and be a strong asset as we develop the Institute for Minority Health Care Disparities.”
A few of the important programs that Mr. O’Connell initiated for the benefit of Long Island’s needy populations are:
-Child/Family Health Plus Facilitated Enrollment of more than 30,000 Long Islanders.
-The Nassau Fight for Families Coalition – a coalition of 125 youth, childcare, substance abuse and mental health agencies that advocate for just legislation and policies affecting the regions poor and vulnerable.
-The Nassau Health Care Partnership – a joint effort with North Shore/LIJ, Winthrop/South Nassau Health System, the Nassau University Medical Center, Nassau County and Health and Welfare Council to undertake a health care project to remove barriers to health care for the region’s poor and minorities.
-The Long Island Voluntary Organizations Assisting in Disasters (VOAD), Presently there are 60 organizations collaborating in plan development for disaster response.
Mr. O’Connell is also serving as Regional Commissioner of the New York State Commission on Health Care Facilities for the 21st Center, Co-Chair on the Nassau County Executive’s Advisory Committee on Human Services, and a founding member of Medicaid Matters, a New York Statewide Coalition.
As Special Advisor to the President/CEO of the NHCC, Mr. O’Connell will be responsible for general strategic advice, government relations and building outreach programs with the communities served by the Nassau University Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility and the various Community Health Centers. “I am excited about the opportunity of working with Mr. Gianelli and his staff on increasing access to quality health care for the region’s most vulnerable families and individuals,” stated Mr. O’Connell.
Mr. O’Connell received his Masters of Arts from Adelphi University in Planning and Policy Analysis in 1980; his Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland, 1965; and completed four years of theological studies at St. Mary’s School of Theology. Mr. O’Connell lives in Brooklyn with his wife Gretchen Hartman.
“Jack O’Connell’s strong history of excellence and his unique experience as an important voice in healthcare advocacy for many years are just what NHCC needs at this vital time to optimize our outreach and provide quality care to the communities that we serve,” concluded Mr. Gianelli.
