Susan Kunz – Exceptional Rural Health Professional

Susan Kunz, Mariposa Community Health Center’s Chief of Program Development, was recognized as the 2018 Exceptional Rural Health Professional by the Arizona Rural Health Association on August 7 in Flagstaff. Public health colleagues nominated Susan for her career working in partnership with American Indian and Hispanic/Latino communities. Susan’s unique talent for designing programs, leveraging partnerships and sustaining systems was cited in her nomination, resulting in more than $50 million in competitive grant funding for community health programs and services over her career. Susan has been part of the Mariposa team for 11 years. “Susan’s unique ability to conceptualize new programs combined with her strong relationships both regionally and nationally has resulted in immeasurable benefits to Mariposa and the communities we serve. We are honored to have her as part of our team,” said Ed Sicurello, CEO of Mariposa Community Health Center.

Before joining Mariposa, Susan worked with the Tohono O’odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tucson Indian Center, as well as in Santa Cruz, Yuma and Cochise Counties while directing the Border Health Foundation. Susan chairs both the Health Equity Council of the National Rural Health Association and the Arizona Rural Women’s Health Network. An Arizona native, Susan served in the Peace Corps in Colombia, South America and received her Master’s in Public Health degree from UC Berkeley. “It is an honor to be recognized for a career that has been so rewarding. I love what I do,” Kunz said.

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