Woman Makes History as NYPD’s First Ever Black Female Colorectal Surgeon

Nationwide — Meet Lynn M. O’Connor, who was appointed because the first-ever Black feminine colorectal surgeon to affix the New York Police Division’s medical division, marking a big milestone within the division’s 178-year historical past.

“It truly is an honor and a privilege to have the ability to have an effect on change within the lives of lots of younger officers,” O’Connor stated in an interview with Rutgers Right this moment. “It means rather a lot as a result of I all the time say to my college students and my residents, ‘You’ll be able to’t be what you’ll be able to’t see.’”

In her new function, she is the one accountable for assessing officers’ health for responsibility, coordinating care, and approving medical providers for line-of-duty accidents.

With a notable profession because the chief of colon and rectal surgical procedure at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, New York, and St. Joseph Hospital in Beth Web page, New York, alongside together with her personal apply on Lengthy Island, O’Connor embraces the chance to make a distinction.

O’Connor’s appointment comes amidst an increase in colorectal most cancers circumstances amongst younger adults, making early screenings essential. Together with her new platform, she goals to advertise proactive well being measures inside the NYPD, advocating for early detection and wholesome life.

Coming from a household of excessive achievers, O’Connor’s ardour for medication started in her childhood in Queens, New York. She majored in Biology at Rutgers College-New Brunswick and ultimately earned a grasp’s from Yale College and a medical diploma from Temple College.

Past her accomplishments, O’Connor acknowledges the importance of illustration within the medical discipline, highlighting the hole the place solely 5.7 p.c of physicians are Black regardless of the Black inhabitants being 13.6 p.c.

“Research that present when African People are given the chance to be handled by Black physicians, outcomes are higher,” she stated. “There may be extra belief, higher communication and higher adherence to the remedy plan.”