Purpose and Passion

Michael O’Neil is making healthcare more accessible and personalized for all.

When Michael O’Neil (MBA/JD’02) embarked on his dual degree journey at Georgetown University in 1997, he never imagined his time in between attending classes would be spent undergoing hours of surgeries and intensive chemotherapy treatment in a hospital oncology unit.“It turns out that I had an orange-sized tumor in my stomach. It ended up being non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” says O’Neil.

After spending the third of his four-year joint degree program buckled over in class with pain in his abdomen and lower back, O’Neil finally had an answer, even if it was a life-altering one. The diagnosis changed everything— including putting him on a new career path—that brought a whole new meaning to what he now calls “values-based leadership and purpose-driven work.”

“I had a year of school left with a bald head and was about 15 pounds lighter from chemotherapy. My professors at Georgetown were incredible in both their flexibility and graciousness. They allowed me to get healthy and really steer my last year at Georgetown into building a business plan for a company called GetWellNetwork, which I founded and still run today.”

Now called Get Well, that business is a global digital health company focused on “enterprise, experience, navigation, and retention.” The company provides digital patient engagement technology for large healthcare organizations, health systems, hospitals, and insurance professionals. According to O’Neil, the idea is to deploy consumer-facing digital tools that help these institutions deliver personalized care for all—meeting the expectations of patients as healthcare consumers, while supporting care teams.

“We think about it as digital intimacy. How do you use technology to make every patient you’re dealing with feel like they have a nurse or patient navigator in their pocket? We do that on behalf of large, complicated organizations that are serving millions of people. We help make the care personalized for their patients and members,” he explains.

While the company has achieved major milestones over the years, and millions of lives have been impacted, O’Neil says there’s still a lifetime of work to be done. He says knowing this keeps him motivated—every single day.

“When you have an opportunity to take on projects of purpose—fueled by people of passion—it is quite the reason to stay up late and get up early.”

— RACHEL ELLIS

Giving Back By Paying Forward

Georgetown has figured prominently throughout the career of Mannone Butler (B’94, L’99), head of programs and partnerships for the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. Her focus has been anchored in helping people find and exercise their voice through her time as an attorney to advocating for community development and social justice to celebrating Georgetown’s diverse alumni community.

“I am supported by nurturing friendships with such Hoyas as”

Alta Consulting a women-owned practice focused on issues related to housing, community development, healthcare, and social justice

Fonda Sutton (F’87, L’95, EML’15), Kaya Henderson (F’92, EML’07, H’12), Natalie Gordon (EML’13), Josephine Bias Robinson (F’91), Muriel Wilkins (B’92), Samantha Caruth (I’92), Pamela Lipp-Hendricks (C’92)

“all of whom have impacted my life and the way I work and the way I am able to thrive.”

“I was a Georgetown University Street Law Clinic, Street Law Fellow.”

Curtis White (L’71) Founder and Managing Director The Law Offices of Curtis T. White, P.C.

“a masterful telecommunications lawyer who is a leader in the field.”

D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council an independent D.C. government agency

“I served as executive director for more than a decade.”

“Myrna and business partner, Diane Lewis, opened the door for me to work on key issues impacting our communities across the country.”

Alumni Engagement

“I enjoy being a resource for and learning from students, and have remained connected with students.”

African American Advisory Board (Chair), Georgetown University Board of Governors (member), Attorney Advisory Board (member), GULC’s Initiative on Gender Justice and Opportunity (member), Black Alumni Summit (co-chair 2019 and 2022), Black Alumni Council (inaugural chair)

“I serve with other business school alumni such as”

Charisma Howell (L’11)

Street Law Director

Keith Dent (B’89)

Chris Perkins (B’94)

Willie Tate (B’94)

Eric Woods (B’91)