With sadness, the Department of Medicine notes the July 26, 2020, passing of Suzy Griffiths, who had served as our internal medicine residency program coordinator from 1979 until her retirement in 2008.

A mother figure to a generation of residents, Griffiths understood the challenges trainees face and always wanted to support them so they could focus on caring for their patients. Her son Bill recalls that people in the program would always say, “Suzy will take care of you.”

“I have so many fond memories of Suzy from my time as a resident and chief resident,” remembers David Andes, MD, professor and division chief, infectious disease. “She was everyone’s ‘mom’ and ‘best friend’ away from home. She knew the answer to any question about the hospital, residency program and Madison. She made the program feel like a home.”

“Suzy was the backbone of the residency for so many years,” shares Elizabeth (Betsy) Trowbridge, MD, clinical professor and division chief, General Internal Medicine. “She loved her job and happiness and joy exuded from her. We all loved dropping by for a quick bit of positive encouragement.”

“The residents loved her and she ushered them through their training with grace and a very positive attitude—always supporting them,” reflects Bennett Vogelman, MD, vice chair for education and residency program director. “Many of the core values of this program stem from Suzy.”

Full obituary

Banner: Long-time residency coordinator Suzy Griffiths, from a 2008 Department of Medicine video. Photo credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine