Freeholders Honor St. Clare's Behavioral Health Veteran

Published on May 08, 2019

Susanne Graham Served the Families of Morris County's 9 Victims

The Morris County Board of Freeholders this week honored Susanne Graham, a veteran of the behavioral health field in Morris County, with a resolution of gratitude for her more than four decades at St. Clare's Hospital and for her efforts on behalf of the families of Morris County's 9 victims.

(JPG, 2MB) (l/r) Morris County Mental Health Administrator Laurie Becker, Freeholder Stephen Shaw, Larissa Graham, Susanne Graham, and Freeholders heather Darling, Kathy DeFillippo and John Krickus

Graham is a well-respected professional, who has comforted many county residents over the past five decades and sought to get them appropriate and compassionate care.

Deputy Freeholder Director Heather Darling, who awarded the county resolution to Graham at the Board of Freeholders meeting in Morristown on Monday morning, said the following (watch the video):

"This morning, we have a county resolution for Susanne Graham, who is retiring after a long and excellent career of more than 40 years at St. Clare's Hospital. She has been a longtime partner with the county's Human Services team, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to patients and families who are dealing with difficult behavioral health issues.

"Susanne began her career in 1979 as a Direct Care Nurse and later served as Coordinator of Psychiatric Emergency Services, and then Director of Saint Clare's Acute Care and Nursing Services. She has served the residents of our county with respect and compassion, and has been a true ambassador of the county's Stigma-Free Initiative.

She also deserves special thanks for partnering with Morris County in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on our nation, dedicating countless hours over several years to helping residents who were tragically impacted by the devastating events.''

Susanne Graham was joined at Monday's event by her daughter Larissa Graham and Morris County Mental Health Administrator Laurie Becker.

(JPG, 2MB) Laurie Becker offers words of praise to Susanne Graham at the Board of Freeholders event

Here is the Text of the county resolution:

Whereas, Susanne Graham is being honored by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders today, May, 6, 2019 on the occasion of her retirement after a long and excellent career of service at Saint Clare's Hospital; and

Whereas, she has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the residents of Morris County and New Jersey; and for more than 40 years at Saint Clare's Hospital she has counseled and comforted thousands of individuals and their families during times of crisis; and

Whereas, she began her career in 1979 as a Direct Care Nurse to hospitalized individuals who were struggling with serious mental illness; and

Whereas, as the Coordinator of Psychiatric Emergency Services, and then Director of Saint Clare's Acute Care and Nursing Services, she has been a model of respect and compassion for each person she served; and

Whereas, as a nursing leader, she has worked to ensure patient safety and high quality care while facilitating positive staff development, serving as an inspiration and role model in the field of behavioral health; and

Whereas, Susanne is well respected and recognized statewide as an expert in screening and emergency services, and she has provided statewide and local emergency mental health training to law enforcement and human services personnel and many others, embracing a compassionate Stigma-Free attitude in offering care to the community.

Whereas, she always has been accessible to address challenges and needs that have arisen in the local community; and

Whereas, Susanne deserves special thanks for partnering with Morris County in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on our nation, dedicating countless hours over several years to helping residents who were tragically impacted by the devastating events; and

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Morris County Department of Human Services congratulates Susanne Graham for all of her accomplishments and extends our sincere thanks for a job well done on behalf of the residents of Morris County.

Congratulations Susanne!