Our Story

The O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law was established in 2007 through the generous philanthropy of Linda and Timothy O’Neill to respond to the need for innovative solutions to the most pressing global health concerns. In bringing together experts from both the public health and legal fields, the O’Neill Institute reflects the importance of public and private law in health policy analysis.

Housed at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., the O’Neill Institute draws upon Georgetown’s considerable intellectual resources, including the School of Nursing and Health Studies, the School of Medicine, the McCourt School of Public Policy, and the Kennedy Institute of Ethics.

Our Vision

The O’Neill Institute believes that the law is a fundamental tool for solving critical health problems. We see national and global health law as a frontier for collaborative, international, and rights-based approaches to health and well-being for all. 

Our Mission

The cutting-edge work of O’Neill and its experts contributes to solving critical health challenges in the United States and around the world. We engage policymakers, academics, and journalists with research and advocacy to end pandemics, ensure human rights, and build the right to health around the world.

Our Work

Sarah Roache Teaching a Class
Sarah Roache teaching a class.

O’Neill’s work integrates intellectual curiosity, applied research, and capacity-building, which grounds our findings in world-class scholarship and on-the-ground policy experience. We build the skills and experience of lawyers and practitioners to lead the public health law and policy field.

Our Founders

Portrait of Lawrence Gostin, Timothy and Linda O'Neill, and Dean William Treanor
Lawrence Gostin, Timothy and Linda O’Neill, and Dean William Treanor pictured together.

Timothy and Linda O’Neill both graduated from Georgetown University in 1977 — he from Georgetown Law and she from the School of Nursing and Health Studies.

Mr. O’Neill serves as senior counselor in the executive office and is a member of the management committee at Goldman Sachs. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1985 and became a partner in 1990. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of Georgetown University, chairman of the committee on medical center affairs, chairman of the investment committee, member of the board of overseers of the Weill Cornell Medical College and Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and chairman of the business finance committee.

Mrs. O’Neill is currently a member of the board of directors for Greenwich Academy and co-chairs its “Campaign for the Future.” She is also a member of the board of directors for the New York Foundling, an organization she has had strong affiliations with for many years as chair of the development and communications committee. Previously, Mrs. O’Neill was a member of the board of regents at Georgetown University and chaired the board of visitors for the School of Nursing and Health Studies. 

The O’Neills were instrumental in establishing the Mott Haven Academy Charter School in the fall of 2008, which is located in the South Bronx. Mott Haven Academy is uniquely designed to meet the needs of at-risk students who are currently in the foster care and child welfare system.

They have four children: Max, Katherine, Nicholas, and Jacqueline.

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