Current:Home > InvestFirst Black female NYPD police surgeon sworn in-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
First Black female NYPD police surgeon sworn in
View Date:2024-12-24 07:06:07
Dr. Lynn O’Connor is now the first Black female police surgeon for the New York Police Department (NYPD) after being sworn in on Monday.
"This is incredibly [meaningful] to me," she told "GMA3" in an exclusive interview prior to her swearing in ceremony. "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."
O’Connor also serves as the chief of colon and rectal surgery at Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. In her new role at the NYPD, she will determine officers’ fitness for duty, treat injured members and provide them with consultations.
MORE: Keechant Sewell becomes 1st woman NYPD police commissioner
Speaking of her experience as a doctor working with police officers, O’Connor said officers spend so much time taking care of others that they don’t have as much time to care for themselves.
"With my background in this position, I am uniquely positioned to develop colorectal cancer awareness programs, screening programs and various other initiatives that are going to be key in keeping our officers safe, and keeping them healthy and keeping them fit for service," she said.
NYPD Chief of Personnel John Benoit said in a statement that "We’re very excited about this historical appointment of the first Black female police surgeon in the department’s 178-year history."
"Dr. O’Connor 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," he continued.
MORE: At-home stool tests for colorectal cancer screening are rising in popularity, but are they right for you?
O’Connor noted that there are not a lot of Black physicians in the country and underscored the need for them.
"Studies have shown when a patient is treated with a physician that is of the same race or ethnicity, they have markedly improved outcomes," O'Connor said. "They're diagnosed quicker, they're seen quicker, their overall health is improved. And that leads to saving lives, that leads to longevity, which is what I want to do when we get into the NYPD."
To all the young girls watching her, O’Connor said she wants them to know they're enough and they and their goals matter.
"You can be what you can't see," she said. "Perseverance pays off."
ABC News’ Jessica Yankelunas and Jessica Hornig contributed to this report.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom will spend part of week in DC as he tries to Trump-proof state policies
- André Braugher mourned by 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' co-star Terry Crews: 'You taught me so much'
- 'Reacher' Season 2: Release date, cast, how to watch popular crime thriller
- See Kate McKinnon Transform Into Home Alone's Kevin McCallister For Saturday Night Live
- Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
- Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott’s Child Liam Undergoes Surgery
- The 20 Best Celeb-Picked Holiday Gift Ideas for Foodies from Paris Hilton, Cameron Diaz & More
- Hackers had access to patient information for months in New York hospital cyberattack, officials say
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight odds will shift the longer the heavyweight bout goes
- Doritos releases nacho cheese-flavored liquor that tastes just like the chip
Ranking
- Kevin Costner Shares His Honest Reaction to John Dutton's Controversial Fate on Yellowstone
- Former Denver Post crime reporter Kirk Mitchell dies of prostate cancer at 64
- Lawsuit alleges ex-Harvard Medical School professor used own sperm to secretly impregnate patient
- Man allegedly involved in shootout that left him, 2 Philadelphia cops wounded now facing charges
- Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
- Oil, coal and gas are doomed, global leaders say in historic resolution
- Why dictionary.com's word of the year is hallucinate
- The Supreme Court will rule on limits on a commonly used abortion medication
Recommendation
-
Horoscopes Today, November 13, 2024
-
Warriors star Draymond Green suspended indefinitely by NBA
-
Editor says Myanmar authorities have arrested 2 local journalists for an online news service
-
Pregnant Hilary Duff Proudly Shows Off Her Baby Bump After Trying to Hide It
-
See Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess' Blended Family Photos
-
Hackers had access to patient information for months in New York hospital cyberattack, officials say
-
Colombia investigates the killing of a Hmong American comedian and activist in Medellin
-
SmileDirectClub is shutting down. Where does that leave its customers?