Former Lake Forest Park community activist named as the new Health and Human Services Regional Director for Region X.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the appointment of Susan M.R. Johnson as the new Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Region X, which includes the states of Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Idaho.  

“Susan M.R. Johnson brings an extensive, working-level knowledge of our department’s most important issues, as well as a knowledge of the people and institutions in Region X,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Her experience and talents make her an especially valuable member of the HHS team.”

As an HHS regional director, Johnson will serve as a key representative of Secretary Sebelius in working with federal, state, local and tribal officials on a wide range of health and social service issues.

Susan M.R. Johnson, has served as the director of the King County Health Action Plan for the Public Health Department in Seattle and King County since 1997. In that capacity, she has developed and implemented innovative programs addressing health care needs for children, teenagers and persons with chronic diseases. 

Previously, Ms. Johnson was appointed by Governor Lowry to the Washington State Health Care Policy Board, where she represented the concerns of consumers and workers in the development of health policy recommendations for state officials.

From 1984-1995, she served as director of governmental relations for the Washington State Council of the Service Employees International Union. She received a B.A. from Middlebury College.

While a resident of Lake Forest Park, Johnson led the fight to save trees along the Burke-Gilman Trail, per this 1992 article in the Seattle Times by Lake Forest Park-based reporter Diane Brooks.