Schools
President Biden Taps Towson University Alum As Acting Surgeon General
Susan Orsega '90 to be among first nurses to hold role as 'Nation's Doctor'
January 27, 2021
President Joseph Biden will reportedly name nurse Susan Orsega '90 as acting surgeon
general for the United States. (Towson University file photo)
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President Joseph Biden has appointed Towson University alumna Rear Admiral Susan Orsega
‘90 acting surgeon general, making her one of the first nurses to hold the position.
“The Washington Post” first reported the news Tuesday.
Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rear Admiral Susan Orsega is an infectious disease specialist and has led the Commissioned
Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service Nurse Professional Affairs. She received the
Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Health Professions in 2018.
Often referred to as the nation’s doctor, the surgeon general provides the best scientific
information on how to improve health and reduce risk of illness and injury, according to the Department of Health & Human Services. “Our College of Health Professions and its alumni continue to prove essential to our state and our nation,” President
Kim Schatzel says. “Towson University is truly an institution providing leadership
for the public good, and I can think of no better representation at this critical
juncture in our nation’s history than in Susan Orsega’s appointment.”
Throughout the last 10 months, Towson University’s impact has been felt throughout
the region as Maryland’s largest provider of health care professionals. Tuesday’s
news is the latest of many stories rooted in a Towson University education that have
emerged from the front lines of the pandemic.
“At no time in American history has the role of surgeon general been more important,"
says Melanie Perreault, TU provost and executive vice president for academic and student
affairs. "We are extraordinarily proud of Susan Orsega as, indeed, we are of our many
alumni working so hard to defeat this pandemic.”
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Lisa Plowfield, dean of the College of Health Professions, said Orsega is an inspiration
for current and future Towson University students.
"Susan’s appointment is testimony to our students about where their careers can go
in supporting the nation’s health, serving on the frontlines of public health and
in leading complex organizations," Plowfield says. "We are proud to count Susan among
TU’s nursing alumni and welcome her voice in addressing and managing the nation’s
health."
Orsega, who was a member of the track and field team as a student, spoke to a TU Nursing Leadership and Management class in 2016. Towson University, she said, prepared her for this moment.
“[I am] the nurse I am today because of the opportunities, experiences, collaborations
and foundation established through my career,” she said at the time. “The stepping
stones to my career and [the] foundation gained from Towson [University] has set me
up for success as I have grown professionally [the last] 26 years.”
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This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
