Ann Arbor-based NorthStar Care Community has announced that Dr. Thomas O’Neil has been promoted as the new director of medical affairs and Jamie Cockerel has been appointed as its new associate vice president of finance.
In his new role, O’Neil will manage members of the not-for-profit’s medical affairs team, including all physicians and nurse practitioners at Hospice of Michigan, Arbor Hospice, and NorthStar Palliative Care.
O’Neil will maintain his responsibilities as director of NorthStar Palliative Care and as the hospice physician for the Hospice of Michigan Detroit/Dearborn team, continuing to serve and care for patients in Wayne County. He will report directly to Patrick J. Miller, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
“Ever since joining the NorthStar Care Community, Dr. Thomas O’Neil has proven himself to be a respected leader,” Miller says. “He has, time and time again, demonstrated his significant commitment to the field of hospice and palliative medicine. We are lucky to have him as a member of our team and celebrate him in this new role.”
Prior to this position, O’Neil served as the medical director at Arbor Hospice and hospice physician for the Detroit/Dearborn team.
O’Neil earned the designation of Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2021 for his work as a physician who cares for patients with a serious illness. The Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine status is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a physician member.
He received his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit and trained in family medicine at the University of Michigan. Following his residency, he completed a fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at the University of Michigan. After remaining at the University of Michigan as a faculty member, he joined Arbor Hospice and NorthStar Palliative Care full time in December 2018.
As associate vice president of finance, Cockerel is responsible for managing all financial operations, including patient financial services, accounting, accounts payable, payroll, and property management functions for NorthStar Care Community. As part of her role, she is also a member of the not-for-profit’s executive team.
Cockerel reports to Lee Ann Myers, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
“Jamie brings a wealth of financial experience specific to hospice operations that will readily translate to her new role,” Myers says. “Bringing Jamie onto the NorthStar Care Community executive team will advance our mission of providing compassionate, quality care while strengthening the organization’s operations.”
Prior to joining NorthStar Care Community, Cockerel spent 16 years with Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan), where she most recently served as chief financial officer.
Outside of work, Cockerel served as a board member for Senior Services of Southwest Michigan and a member of the Finance Committee of Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E., where she has previously served on the board of directors as a member and treasurer.
Cockerel is a resident of Otsego. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and a Master of Science in accounting from Indiana University in South Bend.
