Suzette Sutherland '84: Distinguished Alumna Award

CSB Distinguished Alumna Award 2009 Speech: Suzette E. Sutherland, MD

Suzette Sutherland, who has been chosen to receive this year’s Distinguished Alumna Award, graduated in 1984 with degrees in biology and German.  She first earned a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology from St. Cloud State University and   then decided to embark on an eleven year journey to earn first her medical degree, at Case Western Reserve University, and then all the other degrees and residencies necessary to practice as a urologist and urologic surgeon – with specialties in female urology and sexual health.

One of the reasons Suzette decided to specialize in a male-dominated field was her passion for educating women about their bodies and health.  She participates in many free community programs and radio shows and tries to open the door for women to ask questions that, to this day, are excruciatingly embarrassing for way too many women.  By the way, Suzette is the first woman to serve on the board of the Minnesota Urological Society.

Suzette actively mentors three groups of women:  other women urologists, medical students at the University of Minnesota, and College of Saint Benedict students.  She has published widely and also spends time educating other physicians and pushing the boundaries of available treatment options through working with companies like Medtronic, Pfizer, and Proctor and Gamble.

Institutional Advancement
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