My Story: Sue Buttefield

Sue Butterfield, RN, BSN, MBA, Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Saints campus, retired in 2014 after 49 years of dedicated service. Sue started her career at St. John’s Hospital as a nurse’s aide during her junior year in high school. She always had thought of becoming a nurse and in 1966 after graduating from high school, she entered St. Joseph’s Nursing School. She went on to graduate as a registered nurse in 1969 as part of the last graduating class at St. Josephs Nursing School. She then continued working as a nurse’s aide through graduation.   After graduation, she worked on Pediatrics at St. John’s Hospital as a staff nurse and then became head nurse. In 1975, she became an educator in Staff Development for seven years. She also worked as a staffing coordinator for Nursing Administration,  interviewing applicants for nursing positions. In 1990, Sue transitioned into Community Wellness, and eventually went into Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine where she has been working for the past 14 years. 

Sue worked tirelessly for the employees whom she serves. Sue is flexible, knowledgeable and an exceptional Occupational Health Nurse. Although she holds a Master’s Degree in Business, Sue chose to give up a management position in order to provide hands on care in delivering occupational and preventive health services to client employees in Greater Lowell and the Merrimack Valley.

Hospital based occupational health provides a challenging environment for the OHN. Success depends upon the ability to interact well with staff, specifically Infection Control. Sue worked effectively with everyone. Her interpersonal skills are tremendous. She has a soft spoken strength that is effective in dealing with even the most difficult situation.

Sue has been an active member in the North of Boston Chapter. She has served in various Board positions, most recently as Chairperson of the Programs Committee. Any member who has served in this role knows that it is difficult and challenging. Effective and worthwhile programs contribute to the effectiveness of our membership programs. We have always had outstanding programs thanks to the hard work and diligence of Sue.

Sue is a mentor and role model to OHN’s. Anyone who looked to Sue for guidance would certainly be directed down the path of excellence.

 Now that Sue has retired, she doing some traveling, catching up on her reading, continue with her passion for needlework and taking on some home re-decorating projects.