BAYADA Home Health Care Introduces First Director of Veterans Affairs

PENNSAUKEN TOWNSHIP, New Jersey—As part of its ongoing commitment to U.S. veterans and their families, BAYADA announced the appointment of U.S. Army Veteran Ally O’Neal to director of Veterans Affairs, BAYADA Hospice. BAYADA created this new position, with the help of O’Neal, to ensure its hospice services are tailored to meet the unique physical, emotional and psychological needs of veterans and their families.  

As BAYADA director of Veterans Affairs, O’Neal will work collaboratively with clinicians, clinical educators, service providers, community organizations and veteran service agencies to enhance the quality of care and support provided to veteran patients and their families, something dear to O’Neal’s heart. 

O’Neal joined the U.S. Army straight out of high school and finished both basic and advanced training at the top of her class. After an injury left her with a medical discharge, O’Neal was heartbroken. But she found her new calling at BAYADA, where she helps patients and families find joy and hope near the end of life by establishing hospice care early.  

Part of what led O’Neal to hospice work was her experience with her own father, who would have benefited from home health care and hospice much sooner. 

“Ultimately, Dad didn’t get hospice until the day he passed because my family and I didn’t know all our options,” O’Neal said. “Now, working at BAYADA, I want to help make sure other families and patients experience how deeply personal and healing hospice care can be.” 

O’Neal has found success in her role as a hospice leader. In November, she won a U.S. Ex-Forces in Business Award, the highest honor in the world for veterans. Also, Central Penn Business Journal named her a “Woman of Influence” for 2024.  

She recently received her PhD in health psychology with a concentration on death, dying and bereavement. O’Neal said she looks forward to helping veterans receive the end-of-life care they need and deserve.