Jeffery D. O’Neal, MBA, LCPC, FACHE has been appointed Brook Lane’s new Chief Executive Officer. Effective November 1, 2021, Jeff will be taking the reins from R. Lynn Rushing, who is retiring after 34 years of service with Brook Lane. “Lynn has positioned this organization well for continued success in the future,” says Jeff. “I look forward to continuing his legacy of service and excellence to our community, maintaining Brook Lane’s rich history and traditions, while moving the organization forward by adapting to the changing landscape of behavioral health care delivery.”
Jeff has dedicated his career to the field of behavioral health care. He gained extensive experience in roles providing case management and crisis intervention, developing and supervising psychiatric residential programs, overseeing clinical staff for inpatient, partial hospitalization, outpatient and addictions programming. More recently, Jeff was the System Director, Behavioral Health and Occupational Health Services at UPMC Western Maryland (formerly Western Maryland Health System) before being promoted to Executive Director, Clinics/Practices/and Behavioral Health Services in 2015, a position he held until joining the Brook Lane staff.
Jeff received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV, a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Hood College in Frederick, MD and a Master of Business Administration degree in health care management from American Sentinel University. A Rotarian since 2006, Jeff was a commissioned officer in the US Army – Medical Service Corps from 2000-2011 and was also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Frostburg State University for over a decade, teaching both undergraduate and graduate classes. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Jeff is an active member of the Saint James Brethren Church where he has served in various leadership roles and currently is the vice moderator and lead deacon. “The Christian-based mission, vision and values of Brook Lane provides a unique opportunity for me to serve my community by addressing the behavioral health and educational needs in a Christian-based setting,” says Jeff.
Jeff and his wife, Tina, have lived in Washington County, Maryland for 34 years. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys playing tennis, kayaking and spending quality time with his family. Jeff and Tina have two grown children who live locally – a daughter Zoie who is a first grade teacher in Washington County and a son Zac, a Maryland State Trooper, who is married to Miranda with a one year-old daughter, Blake.
