Suzanne Afflalo. M.D
Panelist: Optimize your Tennis Game
Dr. Suzanne Afflalo is a Family Physician, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica WI, worked at Kaiser Permanente (SCPMG) for 23 years and retired in 10/2015. She received her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington DC and completed her Family Medicine Residency at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Afflalo served as Chief of the Family Medicine Department for 6 years; held the SCPMG Professional Staff President position for 3 years and taught many medical students and residents as an Associate Faculty of UCSD Medical School since 1994.
Dr. Afflalo currently serves as the Medical Director for the Alliance Health Clinic. She also serves on numerous boards, including the County of San Diego’s Health Services Advisory Board (Vice-chair), the UCSD Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board, the Multicultural Health Foundation Board, Scripps Hub Academic Research Core Advisory Board, San Diego Black Nurses Association Advisory Board and the COVID-19 Equity Task Force.
Over the past 25 years, Dr. Afflalo has spent most of her free time volunteering in the community, lecturing on breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other health related issues. She is very passionate about working specifically with minority and underserved communities, educating, encouraging and empowering people to obtain the best health possible. She has organized several health fairs and have done health screening at several barbershops, churches and community events.
In spring 2014, she designed and implemented “A Healthier Me” (AHM), a lifestyle change and health-improvement program developed to decrease the morbidity and mortality of African-Americans and other minorities with various cardiovascular risks. It provides health education, addresses healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss, blood pressure and diabetes control to improve the overall health of minority communities. She has successfully implemented the AHM program in 4 churches in the southeastern community, but her goal is to spread “A Healthier Me” to several other churches and organizations in San Diego.
In February 2017, Dr. Afflalo and a colleague organized a monthly community health and resource event that brings several organizations together to collaboratively serve the Southeastern San Diego community. This monthly “Community Outreach” event provides free health services, numerous resources and fresh produce to over 400 people each month.