Dr. Lynn O’Connor has become the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) first Black female police surgeon. In her new role, she will oversee officers’ fitness for duty, treat injured members, and counsel with them.
O’Connor is also the colon and rectal surgery chief at Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. “This is incredibly [meaningful] to me. If you would have told me at 10 years of age that I’d be sitting here speaking with you, and soon to be sworn in as the first Black female police surgeon for the NYPD, I wouldn’t believe it,” she expressed to GMA3 in an interview before she was sworn in.
Police officers, according to O’Connor, spend so much time caring for others that they don’t have as much time to care for themselves. She stated that with this chance, she is well-positioned to establish colorectal cancer awareness and screening programs, as well as other measures that will keep the police safe and fit for duty.
The NYPD Chief of Personnel, John Benoit, expressed his delight at the historic appointment of the department’s first black female police surgeon in its 178-year history.
He said of the appointee in a statement, “Dr. OConnor is an inspiration to all employees, and her expertise will prove to be valuable to our members, especially those who have been impacted by colorectal cancer.”
In an interview with CBS News, O’Connor said, “Being the first African American female is, it’s a tremendous honor, and, you know, heavy is the head that wears the crown. I hope that I’m not the last. I’m going to make sure that I’m not the last.”
According to the site, she joined a team of 35 NYPD surgeons with only seven women on Monday, her first day on the job. Danielle Harris, O’Connor’s only child, shared her mother’s joy.
“When I heard the news, I was excited, but also, just, it makes sense. You’re a rock star,” she said.
“It’s a representation that we definitely need, especially with there being so many disparities within the health industry and also just within care as well too,” she added.
O’Connor received her master’s degree in public health from Yale and her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine, according to abc7. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.