Welcome to Somerset West
Community Health Centre.
Our services have changed, but we're still here for you.
ANNOUNCEMENT
SWCHC Welcomes Suzanne Obiorah to the role
of Executive Director.
Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) is pleased to announce Ms. Suzanne Obiorah will assume the role of Executive Director on March 13, 2023. Ms. Obiorah will replace Naini Cloutier who is retiring after nearly seven years of distinguished leadership as ED of SWCHC and over 35 years of dedicated service to the community.
Ms. Obiorah is a nationally-recognized leader in the fields of health, social services and municipal government. She served with distinction as SWCHC’s Director of Primary Care and Regional Programs between 2018 to 2021. Her 22 year career has also included, most recently, 2 years as Director, Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations and Social Development at the City of Ottawa, 6 years in leadership roles at the Ottawa Hospital, as well as 7 years as a front-line practitioner. She holds an MBA from Saint Mary University and a Bachelor of Science from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Throughout her career, Ms. Obiorah has gained extensive experience in community engagement, strategy, and tactical execution, as well as built an outstanding reputation as a trusted community partner and an equity leader.
A strong advocate and known community convenor, Suzanne has established relationships with many community leaders and organizations. She is driven to lead and model equity work, advancing social development initiatives by centering approaches that are community informed and community led.
As the past Director of Primary Care and Regional Programs of SWCHC, she worked to ensure health programs and services were accessible, culturally competent, and reflective of the communities it's meant to serve, while also leading discussions of health system reform to advance health equity at regional and provincial tables.
The success of SWCHC has been due in large part to strong community partnerships, dedicated and innovative staff, and an unwavering commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppressive approaches, diversity, equity and inclusion. It is in this light that we are thrilled to welcome Suzanne Obiorah to our organization and look forward to her contributions in advancing the strategic priorities of SWCHC’s recently updated strategic plan.
Suzanne Obiorah, Executive Director
Health Programs
We believe every person deserves access to health care.
We provide specialized health services to people who face barriers, including:
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Outreach to seniors, Rooming House tenants and those who are homeless
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Culturally-adapted and language-specific physical and mental health supports
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Point of care HIV and Hepatitis C testing (this is under the harm reduction portfolio)
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Lung Health and Chronic Disease supports management
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Same-day walk-in appointments for health care and social services supports
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Health care for new Canadians, immigrants and refugees
Community Programs
Our educational, recreational and social programs are offered in many languages. We empower people to develop leadership and practical life skills to improve their health and well-being. Many of our programs take place in the community, responding to specific needs. This includes African, Caribbean and Black HIV Prevention; Yet Keen Chinese Seniors' Day Centre; Income Tax Clinics and more.
Service Area
As one of six Community Health Centres in Ottawa, we serve the residents of a geographically-defined area. We call this area our "service area". The Somerset West service area is defined as the purple area in the map and ranges from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue, and from Island Park Drive to about Lyon Street.
Don’t live in our service area? Don't worry! Many of our programs and services are open to everyone in Ottawa, and some also serve the Greater Ottawa Area (from Deep River to Cornwall).
