Has held several posts in department over past 11 years
Bill O’Neill has been named director of the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Public Relations.
O’Neill joined UNMC in 2000 as coordinator of publications and internal communications. He most recently was senior associate director for advancement, in which he oversaw the department’s marketing, social media and web efforts.
Over the past several years, he has helped lead UNMC’s ongoing branding initiative, which has had far-reaching implications across the entire UNMC campus.
For the past three months, he has served as interim director for public relations.
A 1995 journalism graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, O’Neill is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communication through the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Prior to coming to UNMC, he worked five years at the Kearney Hub newspaper, starting as a reporter before moving to a copy editor position and then becoming news editor.
“Bill is a practical visionary who has a firm understanding of where the department needs to go to most effectively support UNMC’s climb toward world-class status," said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs. “He has the right combination of historical perspective and leadership skills to lead the department in effectively telling UNMC’s great story to our audiences.”
Bartee said O’Neill’s more than 11 years in the department provides him with a strong understanding of the full-breadth of the PR department’s functions, which range from publications and media relations to the planning and coordination of major campus events.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.