Dr. O'Connell is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a graduate of Washington State University and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. Following completion of his OB/GYN Residency at Keesler AFB, in Mississippi, he practiced at the U.S. Air Force Academy until June 2001. Dr. O'Connell joined Academy Women's Healthcare Associates the following month.

Dr. O'Connell has a special interest in menopausal health issues and was a pioneer in the use of sonohysterography to evaluate post-menopausal abnormal uterine bleeding. Most recently, he participated in a three-year, nationwide project to develop an Internet-based program for prenatal patient education, titled "Spring Garden" (to be released September 2001).

Dr. O'Connell and his wife have two children.