SEC Honors LSU Health’s O’Neal for Distinguished Service
The SEC created the Task Force after the cancellation of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in March of 2020. Each SEC member university appointed a volunteer medical professional. LSU appointed Dr. O’Neal. According to the SEC, the Task Force began meeting by video conference in April of 2020 to review and discuss information associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Task Force identified protocols related to on-campus meetings and workouts, out-of-season activities and skill instruction, and other practice activities for student-athletes and coaches, and opportunities for a healthy return to competition, including considerations for student-athletes, administrators, support staff, officials and fans.
“Individually and collectively, the leaders serving on the Conference’s Medical Guidance Task Force are deserving of this recognition,” said Sankey in a press release. “Each contributed an incredible amount of time and effort to lend their expertise as we worked to meet the many challenges associated with developing policies and protocols supporting the healthy return to competition throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of their efforts, thousands of SEC student-athletes have been able to participate in their chosen sports, compete for championships and create lifelong memories with their teammates that otherwise may have never been possible without the contributions of these talented individuals.”Dr. O’Neal graduated from LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine in 2003. She completed her internal medicine training at LSU Health New Orleans’ residency program in Baton Rouge in 2006 and an infectious disease fellowship at Vanderbilt Medical Center in 2008. O’Neal is the Chief Medical Officer and Director of Infection Prevention at Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) Regional Medical Center.
According to the SEC, the Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award, named for Mike Slive, commissioner of the SEC from 2002-14, is presented on special occasions to former student-athletes, coaches, graduates or administrators of SEC institutions or the conference office who have maintained a lifetime of interest in college athletics and who, over a significant period of time, have exhibited superior leadership qualities and made a significant impact to the betterment of the mission of the Southeastern Conference.“These health professionals collectively and uniquely embody the spirit of this special award,” said Sankey. “The expertise, experience and knowledge they provide continues to support our institutions in their focus on the health and well-being of SEC student-athletes during a year of uncertainty. We are proud to honor them with the Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award.”
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Leslie Capo
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