2024 Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Mary Teresa O'Neill BCC-E is a woman whose listening heart overflows with compassionate care and support for colleagues. She is a chaplain’s chaplain, always walking alongside each person on their personal or professional journey.

Mary T. O’Neill has served as a leader of Spiritual Services for more than thirty years. Her personal quest for learning and promoting spiritual care is at the heart of who she is as Chaplain, Clinical Educator, Director or Vice President of Spiritual Services, NACC Commissioner, NACC Board Member, and NACC Volunteer.  Her leadership has been instrumental in NACC being alive and forward thinking.

Her innumerable activities in support of implementing NACC’s Vision manifest an extraordinary dedication to the organization, to the education of its members, and to the provision of competent spiritual care.

Mary T’s contributions to NACC can be summarized with these words: leader, teacher, healer, and good friend.  She is a compassionate and collaborative leader within NACC whether serving on its Commissions and Committees, the Board of Directors, or volunteering as a facilitator of Listening Hearts, supporting chaplains on the front lines during COVID and co-leading the Retired Chaplains networking group.

Mary T’s example, personal and professional, has a lasting impact on the NACC. She leads by example, encouraging personal and professional growth in others by the way she lives her life and practices the competencies.

Mary T. O’Neill’s service and contribution to Health Care Chaplaincy as a ministry of the Catholic Church is beyond measure and for this Mary T.  is honored as NACC’s Distinguished Service Awardee.