Rockville Centre, NY and Bethpage, NY — December 18, 2019 — Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital, both members of Catholic Health Services, have named Lynn O’Connor, M.D. section chief of colon and rectal surgery. Dr. O’Connor brings over 20 years of experience to the Nassau County hospitals, garnering many honors and awards throughout her career.
Each year, over 1,500 men and over 1,500 women in New York State die from colorectal cancer*. Fortunately, most colon cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes and the removal of precancerous polyps through screening.
“Dr. O’Connor fills an important need at both hospitals and we are excited to have a respected surgeon like herself leading us in our prevention and specialized treatment efforts of colorectal cancer,” said President of Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital Peter Scaminaci.
Dr. O’Connor is outspoken about declining health patterns due to lack of exercise, rising obesity and the increase in colon cancer rates among young adults. Because of her efforts, she is a sought after speaker lecturing nationally on advanced techniques related to minimally invasive colorectal surgery, colon cancer screening and colorectal health.
“I am proud to be able to help the patients at Mercy and St. Joseph,” says Dr. O’Connor. “These hospitals align with my commitment to provide patients with the foremost treatment, technology and information to help them prevent public health issues including colon and rectal cancers.”
Dr. Lynn O’Connor
“Dr. O’Connor is committed to providing patients with the foremost treatment, technology and information related to preventive public health issues and colon and rectal health. She fills an important need at both hospitals and we are excited to have a respected surgeon like herself leading us in prevention and specialized treatment efforts,” said Peter Scaminaci, president of Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital.
Dr. O’Connor has received the Most Outstanding Achievement Award in Research from Union Memorial Hospital, the Florence Griffith Freedman Award for Cancer Research from Temple University and Top Doctor in Huntington, NY. She is a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Society of Black Academic Surgeons and Women in Surgery — to name a few.
Dr. O’Connor earned her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine, her master’s in public health at Yale University and completed her general surgery residency at Union Memorial Hospital. Dr. O’Connor resides in Huntington, NY.
For more information about Mercy Medical Center call 516-626-3729; for St. Joseph Hospital call 516-520-2500.
*According to New York State Department of Health.
