2024 Honorary Degree recipient Sandra Lindsay, DHSc, MBA, MSN, RN. CCRN-K, NE-BC became a household name in 2020 when she became the first person in the United States to receive the COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial. Because of her bravery and leading the national push for vaccination to end the pandemic, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Joe Biden on July 7th, 2022—the highest civilian honor. In her new book, “First in Line,” published this year by Post Hill Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, Lindsay tells her story.
“When I began thinking about this book, I went back and forth on how I would tell my story. Should I focus on my origins and journey from immigrant to COVID-19 vaccine evangelist, or should I grab the opportunity to raise awareness on important social issues that have impacted my life in very real ways? I chose both,” Lindsay writes in her book. “This is a story about my life: my family, my early years in Jamaica, my life in America for the last forty years or so, the COVID-19 pandemic as I experienced it, and how my passions and priorities changed after I became the first person in North America to take the COVID-19 vaccine.”
In “First in Line,” she shares her inspiring journey, from leaving her home in Jamaica to become a nurse and live the American Dream to facing years of hardship as a single mother and struggling student in the Bronx, NY. She reflects on her triumphs and challenges, as well as the love of her family and guidance of mentors who helped her overcome obstacles, persevere and eventually become a nationally recognized healthcare leader and advocate.
‘This is also a story about health disparities and healthcare problems faced by disadvantaged communities,” Lindsay writes. She recounts leading the critical care units at Long Island Jewish Medical Center through the harrowing months of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the experience deepened her commitment to addressing healthcare inequities.
She hopes to raise awareness of the impact of healthcare disparities and for readers to see it as not just another professional success story, but “a call to action to address the problem of healthcare inequity in our society.”
“First in Line” is available in bookstores.
Lindsay, a public speaker and advocate with nearly 30 years of nursing experience, is currently Northwell Health’s vice president of public health advocacy. She holds degrees from Borough of Manhattan Community College (AAS), St. Joseph’s College (BSN), Herbert Lehman College (MSN), Hofstra University (MBA), and A.T. Still University where she received her Doctorate (DHSc). She also holds an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Hofstra University and an honorary Doctor of Science from 鶹Ʒ.