Chris McNeil Appointed New Union Board Member
The Union Public Schools Board of Education appointed Christopher L. McNeil, a former Union teacher and coach, to the board, to represent Zone 2. McNeil replaces Lisa Ford, who resigned December 3. McNeil will serve for the remainder of her unexpired term, which comes up for election in spring 2022.
According to Board President Heather McAdams, seven candidates were considered for the position, leaving the board with a difficult choice. “Ultimately, we made our decision based on who would best round out our own experience, who would bring something we don’t already have.”
McNeil and his wife, Jessica, have two children, one of whom is enrolled at a Union early childhood site.
He is working on obtaining his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, with plans to graduate in May. McNeil has a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and a bachelor’s degree in biological science from OSU, as well as a minor in microbiology and psychology. He received an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship in 2017, creating a 200-hour community service project to help connect more than 61 North Tulsa high school students with jobs/permits and boost their income potential and to address economic and healthcare disparities.
While at OSU, McNeil has also volunteered with Food On The Move, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and has been active in Business and Leadership in Medicine Club, Student National Medical Association and the National Osteopathic Medical Association. He has also served as a teaching assistant for the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, instructor for the OSU Master of Athletic Training Program, as well as interned with OSU Center for Health Systems Innovation and as a fitness trainer for the YMCA. He served as a director of operations and mentor for East Central High School’s CIE Scholar Mentoring Program from 2012-2013.
He was named an Oklahoma Student Leadership Forum nominee in March 2020; won the Osteopathic Founder’s Foundation Leadership Award in December 2019; and was nominated as Student Doctor of the Year in March 2019.
