Susan Anderson:
CLASS OF 1972
R. Nelson Snider High SchoolClass of 1972
Ft. wayne, IN
Summit High SchoolClass of 1972
Summit, NJ
Summit Junior High SchoolClass of 1969
Summit, NJ
Brayton Elementary SchoolClass of 1966
Summit, NJ
Glenwood Elementary SchoolClass of 1966
Short hills, NJ
Susan's Story
Grade school at Brayton followed by Summit Junior High School (math with Mr. G and algebra with Mr. Kandrat) and 10th grade at Summit High School. Family move to Fort Wayne Indiana brought me to Snider High School for junior and senior year, with Mr. Buzzard and the 30 and 50 clubs being the most memorable experience. Oberlin College was my home for 3 1/2 years with a major in biology but much time spent in the theater department. Memories of Oberlin include Gibson's whole wheat donuts, the Mikado, and Friday night bread-baking (26 loaves!) at Keep co-op.
I always wanted to be a nurse when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a good idea. As it turns out, they were on the right track, but I had to push the envelope. I had read all of the Cherry Ames books, all of the Sue Barton books at the Summit Library and was sure that was what I wanted to do. But somewhere between the incredible responsibilities I took on as a counselor at a YMCA sleep away camp (Wawayanda) during my summers in high school and a challenge from Mr. Buzzard, my chemistry teacher who let us know on the first day that we (girls) would not pass unless we had a guy lab partner (this in 1972! unbelieveable!) I began to re-think things. So I learned chemistry for entirely the wrong reason (and with a female lab partner) and ended up in medical school!
I have now been on the faculty at the University of Virginia in the department of pediatrics for the last 31 years. Unbelieveable! I love what I do and think I have absolutely the best job in the entire world. I specialize in caring for two groups of children and their families. I work primarily with children who have autism spectrum disorder but also run the program for children who have Down Syndrome. Received the Cygnet Award in 2004 for service to individuals who have autism. This past year (2015) I won the Stephen B Perry Award from Virginia National Bank awarded for "outstanding service to people who have autism." I am a pretty good teacher too, if I do say so myself (my inspiration was Mr. Woodside, in tenth grade biology).
Although I love the children and families tha...Expand for more
t I see and the job that I do, I am looking forward to retirement in July, 2017. I am distressed regarding the direction medicine has taken, where more of the focus has been on the business aspects and direct data, and less emphasis has been on the art of medicine, the uniqueness of each patient and the quality of relationship between physician and patient. Throughout my career I have modeled the art of medicine for legions of medical students and residents (so many have said, "I can't believe how much your patients LOVE you!") but the stress has taken its toll. I will miss the children and the students (and will likely continue to do volunteer work or work one or two days a week) but I feel the beach and ocean calling.
I have lived in Charlottesville for 36 years. Virginia is incredible. I live two miles from Monticello and wake up every morning in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Still not too far from the ocean (two hours away). As the great-grandaughter of a career lighthouse keeper, being close to the ocean has remained important to me. Spent a week alone at the ocean in the fall of 2014 which is the most restful week I have ever spent. And yes, I still feel small when I stand beside the ocean.
I have been a single mom forever, and have three amazing children. Jonathan is 34 and has a fourteen year old daughter (who calls me Max) and my daughters Emily and Moira are twenty two. Emily works as a nursing assistant in a Dermatology Office and is attending classes; she has a four year old daughter Sophia (Pia) who also calls me Max. Emily is married and she and her husband, Barry, are expecting a baby this winter. Moira graduated as a math major from Virginia Tech, attended a post-graduate biology program at VCU and is applying to dental school. They have learned to appreciate NYC and Broadway as I did and do; we make our annual pilgrimage in the summer.
Ten years ago I was given my second chance at life, presenting in fairly severe and unanticipated congestive heart failure with a faulty mitral valve. After valve repair I am better than ever, full of energy and gratitude, and loving life.
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