In a ceremony hosted by Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust, Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s (HSDM) Susan St. Martin was named a Harvard Hero—an honor that celebrates the “above and beyond” contributions of a select few Harvard University staff members each year.
As a Patient Services Liaison at the Harvard Dental Center, St. Martin is the nerve center of the Teaching Practices clinic where she exudes grace under pressure fielding phone calls, checking patients in and out, navigating insurance issues, and keeping things running at a highly efficient pace.
Patients, students, faculty, and staff have come to know St. Martin for her radiant smile, buoyant personality, and trademark announcements over the Harvard Dental Center’s intercom that have earned her the moniker, “DJ Susan.”
“No one who hears her famously cheery ‘Good Afternoon…!’ announcements throughout the day can resist smiling,” a colleague said.
In the words of her nominator, “Susan St. Martin, personifies the notion of ‘service,’ at Harvard University. Her service to students, faculty, staff, and patients—many whose only connection to Harvard is our clinic—is exceptional and unswerving.”
The Harvard Heroes program is held every spring. It recognizes and celebrates staff from across the University. Potential heroes are nominated by peers and selected based on the nominee possessing one or more of eleven important criteria. This year, 64 heroes were named. Being named a Harvard Hero is an honor of high distinction—only about half of 1% of eligible staff is chosen each year.
“Being named a Harvard Hero was a total surprise and an honor,” St. Martin stated. "It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you have been so highly recognized by your colleagues. I never could have achieved this award without the great team I am here with every day.”
