Suzanne Leonard Harrison, MD, FAAFP, FAMWA
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine, 1990
Specialty: Family Medicine
Career Highlights:
Service with AMWA: Board of Directors, 2011-present; Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans (PATH), Co-Chair, 2012-present; Fellowship Committee, 2013-present; Mentorship Committee, 2013-present; Gender Equity Task Force, 2012-present; Program Committee, 2012 Annual Conference
Quote: One must always remember that we know nothing of the struggles faced by others - unless we ask.
Biography:
Suzanne Leonard Harrison is dedicated to teaching students to be the very best patient-centered physicians through clinical teaching, mentoring and being a role model in the care of those with limited access to medical care. She began her journey at the University Of Washington School Of Medicine and then chose a career in Family Medicine because it offered the best opportunity to serve her community and those in greatest need. Once she completed residency training, she joined her father’s family physician in private practice in Walla Walla, Washington, a rural community in the southeast corner of the state. In that setting she offered the full spectrum of family medicine to her patients, including obstetrics. She was active in the community, serving on the child sexual assault team and providing free care to victims of domestic violence. Dr. Harrison continued her journey with a new dedication to sharing her ideals and values regarding patient-centered care and community service with medical students and residents. She is currently an Associate Professor and the Education Director for Family Medicine at Florida State University College of Medicine. In this role, she has been honored several times by faculty, students, and community members for her dedication to service and teaching.
Dr. Harrison was first involved with AMWA as a medical student, but like so many, let her membership lapse as medical training and family took more and more of her time. She became active again after joining the faculty at FSU College of Medicine, serving as the faculty advisor for the local student branch since 2006. She has encouraged medical students to take an active role at the national level and has been on the Board of Directors since 2011. Dr. Harrison was one of the founding chairs of the anti-trafficking committee, now called Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans (PATH) and was the lead author on the AMWA Position Paper on the Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls in the United States.
