Cocktails with Changemakers: Distinguished Speaker Series
Join us at the City Club of Baton Rouge for an engaging evening of cocktails, conversation, and inspiration as we welcome distinguished speakers Dr. Hollis O’Neal and Dr. Catherine O’Neal, two influential leaders in medicine, research, and healthcare.
Together, they will share their perspectives on the evolving landscape of healthcare, the importance of medical innovation, and the leadership shaping the future of medicine in Louisiana and beyond.
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date: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026
cost: $40 All Inclusive Per Person
includes: Classic Cocktails & Hor D’oeuvres
times: 5:00 p.m. (Cocktail Hour) • 6:00 p.m. (Speakers Begin)
location: Continental & Garden Rooms (2nd Floor)
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Dr. Catherine O’Neal
Distinguished Speaker
Catherine O’Neal, MD, has served as the Chief Academic Officer at FMOL Health since August 2024, where she works to advance the health system’s strategic academic vision. She previously served as the Chief Medical Officer at FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s largest hospital, from 2020 to 2024 as well as the Medical Director of Infection Prevention from 2010 to 2020. A native of Mamou, Louisiana, Dr. O’Neal completed medical school and residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans and her infectious diseases fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has practiced medicine specializing in the research and treatment of infectious diseases since 2003 and continues an active clinical practice seeing inpatients and outpatients. Dr. O’Neal was one of Louisiana’s foremost voices during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a national leader providing frontline information from hospitals, offering invaluable guidance to state officials, and advocating for community vaccination. Throughout her career, she has held numerous clinical leadership roles focused on driving improved patient outcomes and developing zero-harm care environments. In addition to her role at FMOL Health, Dr. O’Neal has served on the faculty of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans since 2009, most recently as an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and Infectious Diseases. She was also appointed as the Chief Medical Advisor for the Southeastern Conference in 2022, where she is responsible for facilitating the development of conference-wide medical initiatives and standards to ensure consistent policies related to physical health, mental health and holistic wellness.
Dr. Hollis O’Neal
Distinguished Speaker
Dr. Hollis ‘Bud’ O'Neal is an Associate Professor of Medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center in Baton Rouge. A graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Computer Science, Dr. O'Neal subsequently completed medical school at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA. After a residency in Internal Medicine residency at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Baton Rouge, LA, he then completed Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine training at Vanderbilt University where he also earned a Master’s of Science in Clinical Investigation. Dr. O’Neal is a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians, and American Academy for the Advancement of Science. His research interests include sepsis diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on the immune response that underlies the biology of this devastating condition. He is an active investigator in clinical trials, including industry-sponsored, NIH-funded, and investigator-initiated studies. In addition to serving as a principal investigator, Dr. O’Neal is an active mentor to both trainees and faculty members in their research endeavors, and he holds the position of Medical Director of Research for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He is married to Dr. Catherine O’Neal, an Infectious Disease physician who serves as the Chief Academic Officers for the Franciscan Ministries of Our Lady Health System as well as the Chief Medical Adviser for the Southeastern Conference.
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