James O’Neal of Harlem appointed as AARP New York state president
BY QNS STAFF
AARP New York has appointed
aging expert and dedicated
community health care
advocate James C. O’Neal as
its next state president. In this
position, O’Neal will chair
the AARP New York Executive
Council, a select leadership
group of AARP New York
members with an outstanding
record of service and a commitment
to the goals of the Association.
As State President,
O’Neal will help shape AARP
New York’s strategic priorities,
build community partnerships
with key decision
makers and serve as volunteer
spokesperson for the organization.
“We’re excited to welcome
James and his wealth of expertise
to AARP’s fight for New
Yorkers 50-plus,” said AARP
New York State Director Beth
Finkel. “James brings a comprehensive
knowledge of aging
and health care that will
make AARP New York even
stronger as we navigate the
ongoing pandemic and into
the future.”
O’Neal, an independent
consultant on older adult issues,
has spent over a decade
in the community health care
industry, first with Oxford
Health Plans, followed by the
Visiting Nurse Service of New
York and Beth Abraham’s CenterLight
Health Care, where
he held the position of Director
of Community Outreach
until his retirement in January
2015.
“AARP’s incredible
strength comes from its members
and volunteers, and I’m
so proud to help lead this dedicated
group,” O’Neal said. “I
look forward to continuing
the important work of making
New York State a healthier,
more livable and more affordable
place to live and age.”
O’Neal currently serves as
a Board Member of the State
Society on Aging of New York,
Neighborhood SHOPP (senior
centers and services) and the
Washington Heights/Inwood
Interagency Council on Aging,
and is President of the Bronx
Interagency Council on Aging
(BRICA).
His past appointments include
advisory and leadership
roles with the Adult Immunization
Coalition of the Department
of Health & Mental Hygiene
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.4 COM | DEC. 17 - DEC. 23, 2021
of New York City and the
U.S. Department of Housing
and Development-sponsored
“Healthy Homes, Healthy Seniors”
Community Study. In
2016, O’Neal was appointed
a Member of the governor’s
Advisory Committee for the
Aging, and since 2018, he has
served as a United Nations
Representative for the International
Federation on Ageing.
O’Neal holds a Bachelor of
Arts degree from Franklin &
Marshall College and a Master
of Arts from New York University.
He resides in Harlem.
O’Neal succeeds Leo Asen,
who will complete his maximum
term of six years as
AARP State President at the
conclusion of 2021.
AARP New York volunteers
advocate on behalf of
the 50-plus and are supported
by the Executive Council and
AARP staff. Those interested
in volunteering may visit
https://www.aarp.org/volunteer/
for more information.
Follow AARP on Twitter:
@AARPNY and Facebook:
AARP New York
AARP is the nation’s largest
nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization dedicated to empowering
people 50 and older
to choose how they live as they
age. With a nationwide presence
and nearly 38 million
members, AARP strengthens
communities and advocates for
what matters most to families:
health security, financial stability
and personal fulfillment.
AARP also produces the nation’s
largest circulation publications:
AARP The Magazine
and AARP Bulletin. To learn
more, visit www.aarp.org/
nearyou or follow @AARPNY
on social media.
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from
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