First American To Get COVID Vaccine Named VP Of Public Health Advocacy

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Port Washington nurse Sandra Lindsay is in the headlines again—the Presidential Medal of Freedom winner who became famous for being the first American to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in December 2020 has been named the new Vice President for Public Heath Advocacy at Northwell Health.

Lindsay has worked in nursing for 29 years, most recently as director of nursing critical care at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park. She made national news when she volunteered to be the first American to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Lindsay was the first American to receive the prestigious Medal of Freedom during President Biden's term.

"As a woman of color and proud Jamaican immigrant, Dr. Lindsay’s message also struck an authentic tone with communities of color and Caribbean peoples alike. Her ID badge and scrubs reside at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History," Northwell Health said in a news release.

In her new role, Lindsay says she wants "to work collaboratively with my colleagues to positively influence social and health issues that are priorities for our communities in New York, throughout the U.S. and globally."

"I chose a career in health care because I believe in raising the health of everyone. I plan to advance the mission at Northwell Health of compassionate and equitable care.”