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A Tribute to
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CAPT Suzan “Sue” Murphy, RD, MPH, IBCLC passed away on March 14, 2016. She was known and beloved by the breastfeeding community across the USA, and was long identified as the ultimate breastfeeding champion
and mentor at the Indian Health Service (IHS), where she served for much of her life in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Sue was a Captain and Public Health Nutritionist for the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She served in the Commissioned Corps for 22 years at Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC), 17 of those years in the area of breastfeeding support. Most recently at PIMC, she was the Breastfeeding Support Program Coordinator for the Women & Infant Service Line and ran the only IHS breastfeeding hotline in the nation. Sue was the Baby-Friendly lead at PIMC until her death. In 2013, PIMC was the first multi-bed hospital in Arizona to be Baby-Friendly designated, and Sue worked tirelessly not only for PIMC to become Baby-Friendly, but to serve as a mentor and supporter across the system, as all of IHS' obstetrics facilities became Baby-Friendly by November 2014.
CHAMPS Director Anne Merewood, PhD, MPG, IBCLC, who served as a Baby-Friendly consultant to the IHS and knew Sue well, asked her not long before her death about some of her favorite moments during the IHS' Baby-Friendly journey.
Sue confided, "All those things I have been saying for years - suddenly, it was on the screen in a training course (for IHS nurses) and it became gospel! No one quite said you were right all along, but I was internally grateful. I thanked IHS HQ and Mrs. Obama for prioritizing this. It was a great professional validation."
When asked about her favorite part of Baby-Friendly, Sue cited her patients. "The best part was seeing moms come back successful - saying to them, don't I know you from somewhere? And they say, yes, you helped me with this guy and I breastfed for 15 months!"
Anne adds, "Sue was the stalwart and original protector and supporter of breastfeeding at IHS long before any of the rest of us jumped in, and we were all honored to help Sue realize her dream when all of IHS became Baby-Friendly."
Sue's other professional contributions include her work with the Office on Women's Health to create An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for American Indian and Alaska Native Families; her speaking appearances in Washington, DC and at Arizona State University on breastfeeding and its impact on diabetes and obesity; and her work as a dietician at the IHS Diabetes Center of Excellence and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Those who knew and worked with Sue remember her positivity, humor, kindness, integrity, and selfless compassion. Friend and colleague Kimberly Moore-Salas, IBCLC says she made the moms who were struggling with breastfeeding, in life or with drug use feel just as good as the mom who was doing well in life and with breastfeeding. She was a cheerleader at heart and celebrated any accomplishments, no matter how small. She allowed mothers to make their own breastfeeding decisions and goals and supported them in those decisions and goals. "You're on your way!" she would often say, and "Any breastfeeding is good breastfeeding" and "You're doing a great job, Mom."
Those who are interested in making a donation in memory of Sue, can do so at the PIMC Auxiliary fund: http://www.pimca.org/donate.html
and mentor at the Indian Health Service (IHS), where she served for much of her life in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Sue was a Captain and Public Health Nutritionist for the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She served in the Commissioned Corps for 22 years at Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC), 17 of those years in the area of breastfeeding support. Most recently at PIMC, she was the Breastfeeding Support Program Coordinator for the Women & Infant Service Line and ran the only IHS breastfeeding hotline in the nation. Sue was the Baby-Friendly lead at PIMC until her death. In 2013, PIMC was the first multi-bed hospital in Arizona to be Baby-Friendly designated, and Sue worked tirelessly not only for PIMC to become Baby-Friendly, but to serve as a mentor and supporter across the system, as all of IHS' obstetrics facilities became Baby-Friendly by November 2014.
CHAMPS Director Anne Merewood, PhD, MPG, IBCLC, who served as a Baby-Friendly consultant to the IHS and knew Sue well, asked her not long before her death about some of her favorite moments during the IHS' Baby-Friendly journey.
Sue confided, "All those things I have been saying for years - suddenly, it was on the screen in a training course (for IHS nurses) and it became gospel! No one quite said you were right all along, but I was internally grateful. I thanked IHS HQ and Mrs. Obama for prioritizing this. It was a great professional validation."
When asked about her favorite part of Baby-Friendly, Sue cited her patients. "The best part was seeing moms come back successful - saying to them, don't I know you from somewhere? And they say, yes, you helped me with this guy and I breastfed for 15 months!"
Anne adds, "Sue was the stalwart and original protector and supporter of breastfeeding at IHS long before any of the rest of us jumped in, and we were all honored to help Sue realize her dream when all of IHS became Baby-Friendly."
Sue's other professional contributions include her work with the Office on Women's Health to create An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for American Indian and Alaska Native Families; her speaking appearances in Washington, DC and at Arizona State University on breastfeeding and its impact on diabetes and obesity; and her work as a dietician at the IHS Diabetes Center of Excellence and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Those who knew and worked with Sue remember her positivity, humor, kindness, integrity, and selfless compassion. Friend and colleague Kimberly Moore-Salas, IBCLC says she made the moms who were struggling with breastfeeding, in life or with drug use feel just as good as the mom who was doing well in life and with breastfeeding. She was a cheerleader at heart and celebrated any accomplishments, no matter how small. She allowed mothers to make their own breastfeeding decisions and goals and supported them in those decisions and goals. "You're on your way!" she would often say, and "Any breastfeeding is good breastfeeding" and "You're doing a great job, Mom."
Those who are interested in making a donation in memory of Sue, can do so at the PIMC Auxiliary fund: http://www.pimca.org/donate.html
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A tribute in memory of Sue was presented at the AI/AN CHAMPS "2nd Indian Country Breastfeeds Conference: Sustainability and Support" in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 9 & 10, 2016. On that table there was a notebook, in which conference participants were invited to share their thoughts and memories of Sue. Below are comments from that notebook: |
From left: CAPT Kimberly Couch, DNP, CNM, FNP, PIMC Women & Infants Service Line Director; CAPT Sue Murphy
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Wonderful tribute. Very touching. God bless you all. Dear Murphy Family, So grateful for all the years you all allowed to share Suzan with us!! She was a truly compassionate and committed individual to health and mothers/babies! Much appreciation! Joyfully, Jeanette Yazzie Hi Sue: We Miss you. Roberta Ward Sue I miss seeing you and your smile :) Sanda McCabe, RD If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t still be breastfeeding! Jessica Thank you Sue for giving me the courage to get my CLC and being the kind and loving person you are. LeeAnn Sue gave a great gift to the world. It came in the guise of breastfeeding education but that was only the vehicle. I just cannot imagine this conference without her! In 2012, you visited our little community of Chinle, AZ. You were there to share your knowledge... your enthusiasm for breastfeeding. I attended your teaching sessions. You showed me the best things about breastfeeding. You showed why I was there to spread your message and share your energy. I continue to teach the benefits of breastfeeding to my Navajo relatives thanks to you. |
Dear Murphy Family --- I was honored to know Sue & will always remember her for her kindness & smile. She is a beautiful soul & I'm so glad to have met her along my journey. May her legacy live on & guide the steps of all those she blessed! Antoinette Kleiner Shiprock, NM You were an amazing woman; thanks so much for all you’ve shown us in this life. God bless you & your family. Thank you Sue for all the support among our community. Treva Smith Thank you for your wonderful legacy of work filled with love, compassion and healing. Dear Sue, The Indian Health Service will never feel the same without having you refer to all things breastfeeding. I was honored to know you, happy to have been able to spend time with you and proud to know I helped you realize all our Baby-Friendly dreams. You were gone far too soon. We won't forget you. Anne Merewood Thank you, Suzan for you hard work and contribution in the lactation field and for your love of Native people; you did so much for IHS. I'm so glad I had the privilege of meeting you. God bless and Peace be with you, Euphemia John Thank you Sue for your knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm. God bless you. Lenora Burbank, RN Chile IHS OCU |
