Greenburgh Insider: Another senior hall of famer: Dorothy Jeannette Jenkins.

 

Dorothy was the first Black Surgical Technician in the Operating Room at White Plains Hospital. An amazing woman.

Dorothy Jeannette Jenkins of Greenburgh (10603) is also being inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizen Hall of Fame this year.  She will be honored along with Sarah Bracey White, Frank Williams, Constance Kehoe, Antoinette Lotito (posthumously), Lemuel Davis and Seymour Schreiber on Friday. Like the other honorees she is a real inspiration!  PAUL FEINER

 

Lovingly called "Jenny" by her co-workers, Dorothy Jeannette Jenkins was the first Black Surgical Technician in the Operating Room (OR) at White Plains Hospital Center. She was an invaluable member of the OR team, making sure the nurses and doctors had the instruments needed for the procedures being performed. Her uncanny work ethic and tough disposition, earned her a reputation as the "the one who gets it done." She was reliable and demanded respect for herself and all those on her team. Although she worked weekdays, Jenny became a true heroine to the nurses who worked weekends because she would come in on Saturdays and Sundays to assist them in preparing supplies for the numerous operations scheduled during the weekend shifts. She shared her knowledge and experience with newer nurses, becoming a mentor to many of them and helping them adjust to the demands of the OR. She stayed calm and helped keep order when the nurses felt inundated by the hectic OR schedule. Her demeanor was as appreciated as her expertise and she was a beloved member of the team even after she retired in 2002. 

 

Jenny is one of six sisters born and raised in Westchester County. She started working at White Plains Hospital in 1959 at the age of 18 and continued working there for 43 years until she retired in 2002. Since retirement, she spends most of her time participating in the Senior Program at the Department of Community Resources (DCR) in Greenburgh, at church and with her family. As a member of the DCR/TDYCC Senior Program, she advocates for seniors by demanding greater access to recreational facilities for older adults. Her passion and persistence resulted in the implementation of a monthly Senior Swim Day and her excitement over the new program has motivated numerous other seniors to participate. She is a true innovator and vocal advocate for senior citizens in the local area.