Make No Mistake, Boston is an Outstanding Community Partner
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The County of San Diego has a lot of unsung heroes – County employees who do a lot of good work out of the spotlight and the public eye. One such employee – the Health and Human Services Agency’s Susanne Boston – couldn’t escape notice and was named one of the 2011 County Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) Outstanding Community Partners.
“When she found out she was getting this award, she thought it was a mistake because she is usually the one doing the behind the scenes work to make everyone else look good,” said Kristin Garrett, President and CEO of CHIP. “I am very proud to have had the honor to work with Susanne for the past 10 years. She’s very deserving.”
Boston is a Health Information Specialist II at HHSA. She has represented the County on the Access to Care for Children Team project, participated with CHIP Needs Assessments, organized numerous health events on an array of public health issues, helped to schedule Question, Persuade, and Refer Suicide Prevention trainings for the North County, has been instrumental in the coordination and implementation of the urban rural roundtable and been involved with the Resident Leadership Academy.
“I would describe Susanne as passionate, energetic, gracious, positive, humble, and committed to serving the community at a local neighborhood level,” said Garrett. “She is just very exceptional in her commitment to helping people.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by those that work closely with her. “Susanne is so passionate about the work she does to further the goals of Live Well, San Diego! and improve the lives of North County residents,” said Barbara Jimenez, HHSA Deputy Director. “We are so proud of her and fortunate that she is on the Health & Human Services Agency team.”
“Susanne is a gem, a true unsung hero who exemplifies the intent of CHIP’s award,” said Carey Riccitelli, Boston’s direct supervisor. “It’s not just that she has a great personality - she’s very passionate about her work, and very fun, but she also has one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I know.”
In 2000, Community Health Improvement Partners, better known as CHIP, launched the Outstanding Community Partner Awards. The awards epitomize those who go above and beyond to volunteer their ideas and expertise and provide leadership.
Previous winners from HHSA include Nick Macchione, Alan Smith, Leslie Ray, Rhonda Freeman, Nancy Bowen, Holly Shipp, Tracy Delaney and Dr. Wilma Wooten.