Disclosed is a fiber optic backplane connector in which there are a plurality of axially spaced circuit board engaging springs (90, 94, 98) on one side of the exterior housing (46). By means of this arrangement a single connector is engageable with a number of thicknesses of circuit board (10). Also disclosed are two resilient metal arms which extend from a metal plate on one side of the connector to engage the medical flange (56) to enable the connector to be assembled without ultrasonic welding. A method for using this connector to connect fiber optic cables as well as to dissipate static electrical charges therein is also disclosed.