Tribute to a Beloved Titan
A notable building at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center has been christened in the memory of the celebrated late Supervisor of Santa Clara County, Susanne B. Wilson, widely recognized as the ardent champion of the hospital for her commendable service throughout and even beyond her tenure in office.
Emphasizing the Legacies of Service
The Susanne B. Wilson Women and Children’s Center was inaugurated in an event held on Wednesday afternoon. The dedication ceremony was graced by Wilson’s kith and kin as well as distinguished officials from Santa Clara County and San Jose. A host of Wilson’s former colleagues, staff members, and the VMC staff were among the attendees.
Commending her relentless service, Michael Elliott, Executive Director of Valley Health Foundation, asserted, “I hope that you find strength, as I do, in Susie’s example, and I hope that you find strength, as I do, in the battles that she fought and won to keep the doors of this hospital open to all.”
The Former Supervisor’s Struggles and Triumphs
Being an inspirational trailblazer, Wilson was the third woman ever elected to San Jose City Council and the second woman to join the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. She diligently served the board for a span of 12 years until she stepped down in 1990. Wilson’s influence reverberated when she was joined by fellow women officials Zoe Lofgren and Becky Morgan, thereby marking the first instance of a majority of women on the board.
Following her departure from the board, she played a pivotal role in establishing the organization now recognized as the Valley Health Foundation to procure funds for the county’s healthcare system, which has since expanded to five hospitals.
Notably, when Proposition 13 led to budget reductions at the county level, Wilson fought relentlessly for the preservation of Valley Medical Center and its associated social programs.
An Honor in the Making
David Wilson, Wilson’s son, shared some touching remarks about his mother during the ceremony that moved everyone present. The plan to christen the building in Wilson’s honor had been in the pipeline for over six years but was momentarily delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent expansion of the hospital system.
In 2018, then-Supervisor of Santa Clara County Ken Yeager, former Supervisor Cindy Chavez, and then-Executive Director of VMC Foundation Chris Wilder took the initiative to name the building in Wilson’s honor. Despite her declining health, Wilson graced the meeting held on November 6, 2018, with her presence on Election Day. The board’s unanimous approval was greeted by a standing ovation dedicated to Wilson. Shortly after, she passed away in December 2018 at age 90.
The Legacy Lives On
Wilson’s contributions to healthcare and her community remain a point of inspirational reference for many. Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg mentioned that she strives to emulate Wilson’s leadership, particularly in advocating for childcare and supporting the expansion of the public hospital system.
The christening encapsulates Wilson’s endeavours, especially as the center focuses on pediatric intensive care, neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery — all in a building named in her honor.
In her career, Wilson exhibited an impressive knack for accomplishment. “Susie got things done,” said Ellenberg, referring to her efforts to uphold Valley Medical Center during a precarious time and her collaborative venture with colleagues and community partners to ensure secure funding for a residential building for low-income families named in Wilson’s honor.
The renewed dedication of the building in Wilson’s name is a testament to her ceaseless advocacy and her significant role in shaping the narrative of public health in Santa Clara County. It is a fitting tribute to a woman committed to her community, an influential public servant, and a beacon of resilience and strength—the embodiment of Wilson’s mottos of saying “yes” to life and love.