Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), a United States Army veteran, has applauded the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s (VAMC) hiring of a part-time female obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN). Dating back to 2018, Congressman Zeldin has been consistently advocating for VAMC to hire a woman OB/GYN to better serve female veterans who experienced sexual harassment or assault while serving in the military and understandably would feel more comfortable with a female OB/GYN.
“Northport VAMC hiring a female OB/GYN is an important and much needed step forward for our heroic female veterans on Long Island,” said Congressman Zeldin. “Northport’s female patients made tremendous sacrifices, some of them at great physical and emotional costs, on behalf of our nation. They deserve to have access to high quality care as well as providers with whom they have the highest levels of comfort.”
“With so many female veterans dealing with issues from military sexual trauma, it seemed archaic to me that we were being forced to have a male doctor when we were not comfortable. I am grateful to Congressman Zeldin for his tireless efforts and for the strong support of women veterans, ranging from ages 27 to 87, who expressed their desire to have a choice of healthcare providers at Northport VA. I am ecstatic with this news that a female OB/GYN has finally been hired. This is a huge win for female veterans in Suffolk County. I hope the many women veterans who were not comfortable obtaining care at Northport will now feel heard and receive the quality of care they deserve,” said Cathie Norton Doherty, U.S. Navy Veteran, Women Veterans Advocate, LAOH National Military and Veterans Affairs.
“Suffolk County is home to the largest veterans population in New York State, many of whom are female veterans that have sacrificed immensely for our freedoms,” said County Executive Bellone. “Our female veterans deserve to feel safe and comfortable with their doctors, especially when it comes to their most personal healthcare. With the hiring of a female OB/GYN for the Northport VA Medical Center, we are hopeful that more women veterans will access these critical healthcare services.”
Congressman Zeldin’s correspondence with Northport VAMC, U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the need for VAMC to hire a female OB/GYN over the past four years can be found here.
