A health care worker from our area was honored during Wednesday's virtual Inaugural Gala.

Sandra Lindsay, a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, was the first American to receive the COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial.

The Port Washington woman recorded a message, which was played during a TV special hosted by Tom Hanks entitled "Celebrating America." Lindsay says hope is on the horizon, now that vaccines are being distributed.

“Continue to focus on that light. It might be dim right now but it will get brighter in days to come. So I'd encourage everyone not to give up hope, be patient. Healing is indeed coming,” says Lindsay.

Lindsay's message to the nation will focus on the bravery and sacrifice made by health care workers during the pandemic.