1996 Hall of Fame inductee - Mary F. O’Neil

“Working at CCRI in charge of the Student Health Clinic gave me the opportunity to run the office with an open door policy. This allowed me, with the college physician and the fantastic guidance of Dr. Garrahan, to assist and treat students with many medical problems. I feel that this benefited the state of Rhode Island by giving the students up-to-date medical treatment allowing them to come with their classes. My entire work experience at CCRI certainly added to my life in a professional and caring way.”

Mary F. O’Neil, charge nurse in the Student Health Office and part-time athletic trainer at the Community College of Rhode Island, was more than a college employee. From 1972 to 1993 she was “family and friend” to the scores of athletes, students and other members of the college community who came to know her. The Department of Athletics Department honored her for her outstanding contributions by naming her to the CCRI Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.

Prior to joining CCRI, O’Neil worked for the URI Health Services from 1968 to 1972 and as a nurse and supervisor at South County Hospital (1953-1968) and Rhode Island Hospital (1946-1953). She was named Woman of the Year in 1982 by the Women’s Business Club of Jamestown and was active in the Rhode Island Hospital Alumni Association, the South County Hospital Cancer Support Group and the Rhode Island College Nurses Conference Group.

O’Neil received a nursing diploma from Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing and took courses and received licensure as an athletic trainer from the University of Rhode Island.

O’Neil passed away in 1996