Susan Freimark, director of faculty development in the School of Medicine, will retire at the end of 2025 after nearly three decades of dedicated service to ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ.
Through her leadership, Freimark developed and implemented a wide range of professional development programs that have empowered countless faculty members to reflect on their careers, define goals and build the skills and confidence to achieve them. Her work has strengthened the School of Medicine's academic culture and fostered a spirit of growth, collaboration and leadership across departments and institutions.
Freimark has guided faculty at every stage of their careers—helping them navigate leadership transitions, organizational dynamics and work-life integration with compassion and insight. As a board-certified coach in executive leadership and career coaching and a licensed professional counselor, her involvement in the National Science Foundation Organizational Change for Gender Equity in STEM Academic Professions (ADVANCE) grant helped establish ÐÓ°ÉÊÓƵ's first formal coaching model, which continues to shape how the university supports faculty success today.
Prior to joining the School of Medicine, Freimark served as senior associate director of the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women, where she created and facilitated numerous professional and leadership development programs for women faculty, staff and students. She also conceptualized and launched Women in Science and Humanities Earning Doctorates, creating a supportive community for women pursuing doctoral degrees. In addition, she spearheaded an initiative to provide free access to feminine hygiene products in women’s restrooms across campus—a simple but powerful reflection of her care for others and her commitment to meaningful action.
Throughout her career, Freimark has been a trusted advisor, a thoughtful coach and a tireless advocate for faculty and staff alike. Her contributions have left a lasting imprint on the campus community, and her legacy will continue to shape the culture of development and leadership at the School of Medicine for years to come.
“Susan’s presence, as well as her hearing faculty needs, has been most appreciated in the past few years," said Dean Stan Gerson, MD. "She expanded our faculty development offering to include REFRAME, a professional development program for mid- to late-career School of Medicine faculty, and worked with our basic science faculty to help create Steps to Success."
Please join us in celebrating Susan Freimark in the Biomedical Research Building lobby on Dec. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m.
