Reflections on Susan Walkama, LCSW, Wheeler President and Chief Executive Officer
Recently, we shared the story of Wheeler President and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Walkama, LCSW, as part of our 50th Anniversary series. Below are some reflections on Susan’s role as a leader at Wheeler.
“What really stands out about Susan is that she is really low key but has an amazing handle on everything related to Wheeler. She understands everything from the ground up. She came up through the organization, which gave her a strength and understanding of the organization that no one could ever have. What also stands out to me are her vision for primary care opportunities and integration with behavioral health. Susan saw the benefit and the potential and now this is clearly the direction in which Wheeler continues to go.”
Christine Skelly, Wheeler Board Chair from 2015-present
“Susan is a visionary leader who has dedicated her career to ensuring access to effective, high-quality community-based services for Connecticut’s most vulnerable citizens. She has a deep understanding of community systems and personal commitment to eliminating disparities in health care. I’m honored to work with Susan and am in awe of her tireless dedication to healthcare excellence and to improving health outcomes for the more than 30,000 individuals served by Wheeler annually.”
Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, Chief Operating Officer
“Susan’s visionary leadership, passion and clinical insights have positioned Wheeler as a leader in integrated health care. She is able to balance strategic and tactical thinking with practicality and kindness. Susan has a genuine concern for our clients and staff that embraces innovation and sets excellence as the organization’s performance standard.”
Tish Speicher-Werbner, MPA, Chief Human Resources Officer, Wheeler
"Susan’s leadership has steered Wheeler through changes in the health care delivery system.Through careful strategic planning, undertaken with members of our team and our board, she has helped Wheeler to be better positioned for these changes, promoting an environment that is centered on the patient and innovation. On a personal note, Susan has been an outstanding mentor for many years, helping me to flourish in countless ways."
Athena Dellas, MBA, Chief Financial Officer
"Susan is an outstanding kind, compassionate and visionary leader who has dedicated her career to providing and developing a service system to improve outcomes to tens of thousands of individual annually. Her knowledge of community service systems along with her passionate commitment to improving access and quality health care for all has positioned Wheeler to be recognized as a statewide leader. I am honored and privileged to have her as my professional mentor."
Kimberly Nelson, LCSW, Senior Vice President, Services
“When David Berkowitz needed to take a medical leave of absence, he recommended that the Board appoint Susan as acting Executive Director until he returned. He had great things to say about Susan’s understanding of the services provided by the Clinic and her ability to manage a group of those services. He also felt that Susan was passionate about the work of the Clinic and had the vision to see the big picture. When David passed, the Board’s Executive Committee (which I served on at the time) had to decide who would replace David. Given the significance of this decision, we felt the need to consider Susan as well as others inside and outside of the Clinic. Ultimately, we choose Susan, and I’m glad we did. She has proven to be a fabulous choice demonstrating all of the skill, vision and leadership ability that David saw in her. The decision she made with respect to the direction the clinic would take once the Affordable Care Act became law was bold and risky and, in hindsight, obviously the correct choice. I very much enjoyed serving on the Board with Susan leading the way!”
Jeff Loureiro, President, Loureiro Engineering, Board Chair 2009-2013
“I remember Susan as a proactive, strategic thinker. Her commitment to quality and to Wheeler’s mission, staff, clients and community partners never wavered. She sought input from others and continuously incorporated new ideas and concepts into her thinking and actions. She was willing and able to grapple with and make tough decisions about very difficult issues such as staff layoffs, underfunded programs, and Connecticut’s budget crisis.
Susan introduced me, and other Trustees, to the significance of integrating behavioral health and primary care. Under Susan’s leadership, Wheeler took steps to ensure that the organization would be well positioned to take a leadership role in implementing related innovative and impactful programs and partnerships in the years ahead.”
Ann Thomas, Wheeler Board Chair from 2007-2008
“Susan has strategic plans in her mind that are multidimensional, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be mentored by her in my role. I learn something from Susan daily and her poise and professional nature are exceptional! She has a transformational leadership style and is considerate, direct, authoritative, yet patient and motivating. She makes me want to excel. Wheeler is in good hands with Susan at the helm.”
Heidi Joseph, Vice President, Health Center Operations
“As we go through this year of stories about the people and events that helped make Wheeler what it is today, it's impossible to miss the tremendous positive changes Susan has led. The changes by themselves are impressive, but what's equally impressive to me is that she ensures we keep our eyes focused on the core values driving the organization from the beginning: innovation; providing high-quality, accessible care; and understanding that we put the needs of everyone we serve at the forefront of everything we do, every day. A lot of leaders can create institutional change. It's easy. Very few can do it successfully, while not only maintaining, but strengthening, our focus on the mission and why we come to work every day. Susan has.”
John Sponauer, Vice President of Marketing Communications and Philanthropic Giving
