First Black female NYPD police surgeon sworn in

ByBrittany Gaddy via https://abcnews.go.com/

“This is incredibly [meaningful] to me,” Dr. Lynn O’Connor told “GMA3.”

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.

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…

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