Dr. Sandra Lindsay, the first American to be vaccinated against COVID-19 outside of a clinical trial, will be a Fellow of the Academy, the most prestigious recognition in nursing
Honoring her courage during the COVID-19 pandemic and her tireless advocacy for the medical and scientific community throughout her career, Northwell Health’s Sandra Lindsay, DHSc, MBA, RN, vice president of public health advocacy, has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. The Academy is a policy organization and an honorific society that recognizes nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, practice, administration and academia.
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On December 14, 2020, Dr. Lindsay gained international acclaim as the first person in the United States to receive the COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial. This courageous act earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Joe Biden on July 7, 2022, along with numerous other accolades. She has since become a leading voice for scientific and clinical advocacy, global health, health equity and nursing leadership. Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within and outside the profession. Fellows are selected based on their significant contributions and impact to advance the public’s health.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing. This recognition is not just for me, but for my entire nurse family at Northwell and beyond, who tirelessly dedicate themselves to the health and well-being of our communities,” said Dr. Lindsay. “This fellowship affirms the vital role nurses play in shaping health care, advocating for our patients, and advancing the profession. It inspires me to continue working towards a more equitable and just health care system for all, and I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received along the way.”
Dr. Lindsay is a champion for community health and public policy, working to correct misinformation and promote both medical research and global health equity. She brings nearly three decades of nursing experience to this role, including her previous position as director of patient care services in critical care at Northwell’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center.
As vice president of public health advocacy and host of Northwell’s award-winning 20-Minute Health Talk podcast, Dr. Lindsay has used her platform to focus on improving health care access, particularly overseas and in her homeland, Jamaica. In addition to leading clinical trips abroad, she has also championed efforts to address period poverty, ensuring young girls and women in Jamaica have access to essential menstrual supplies and resources.
“Sandra’s induction into the American Academy of Nursing is a tremendous accomplishment that recognizes her extraordinary contributions,” said Maureen White, Northwell’s executive vice president and Chief Nursing Officer. “Her career and personal achievements exemplify the power of hard work and dedication, while her unwavering commitment to the medical community, especially during and after the pandemic, is inspiring. On behalf of Northwell Health, and particularly our dedicated nursing staff, we congratulate her on this prestigious honor.”
Her writing has appeared in publications such as TIME Magazine, American Nurse Journal, and Nursing Management, and she is a sought-after speaker at international forums and events on public health topics. Dr. Lindsay also authored the memoir “First in Line: How COVID-19 Placed Me on the Frontlines of a Health Care Crisis,” which chronicles her life’s journey from her upbringing as an immigrant to becoming a prominent advocate for health equity.
Dr. Lindsay immigrated to the United States from Jamaica with her siblings in 1986 to fulfill her aspiration of becoming a nurse. Her academic credentials include an associate degree in nursing from Borough of Manhattan Community College, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from St. Joseph’s College, a Master of Science in nursing from Herbert Lehman College, and both a Master of Business Administration and an honorary doctorate from Hofstra University.
Dr. Lindsay and the 2025 inductees will be recognized for their substantial, sustained and significant contributions to health and health care at the Academy’s annualHealth Policy Conference, taking place on October 16-18, 2025 in Washington, D.C., during the Induction Ceremony on the evening of October 18th. After the ceremony, the new inductees can use their FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) credential, the most prestigious recognition in nursing.
Kerri Scanlon, MSN, RN, FAAN, Northwell’s senior vice president and president of Glen Cove, Plainview and Syosset Hospitals and Ashley Graham-Perel, EdD, RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, FADLN, FAAN, Columbia University School of Nursing’s director and assistant professor of Nursing Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs sponsored Dr. Lindsay for her fellowship. The newest Fellows, were selected from a sizeable and competitive pool of applicants, represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Their unique expertise will soon bolster the collective impact of over 3,200 Academy Fellows.
Academy Fellows hold a wide variety of influential roles in health care and collectively they contribute their thought leadership to develop sound policy that help to achieve the Academy’s vision of healthy lives for all people.
