MOMS Orange County is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Eric Walsh, Carol Suchy, R.N. and Mr. James Owens to its Board of Directors.
“We are extremely excited about the exceptional leadership and insight of our new board members,” MOMS Orange County CEO Pamela Pimentel said, “The diversity of their professional skills and experiences reflects the universal interest in promoting healthy births for all women in Orange County.”
Dr. Eric Walsh began his career with the County of Orange Health Care Agency as Medical Director for the Family Health Division, Public Health Services in August 2008. Dr. Walsh has most recently been appointed Interim Medical Director for Correctional Medical Services. He is also an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and Medical Director of Loma Linda University East Campus Urgent Care.
In a wider scope of service, Dr. Walsh currently sits on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) for the current White House administration and is also an Executive Board Member of the Latino Health Collaborative which serves communities in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Dr. Walsh holds an MD from the University of Miami’s School of Medicine and a Masters of Public Health from Loma Linda University School of Public Health. He is currently completing his Doctorate of Public Health from Loma Linda University, School of Public Health.
“The foundation of a healthy society is healthy mothers and babies. Research shows that what happens in utero and in early life can affect us well into our adulthood,” says Dr. Eric Walsh, “The work that MOMS Orange County does helps create healthy families and a stronger community.”
Carol Suchy BSN, IBCLC is a seasoned nursing leader with more than twenty years of healthcare experience. She currently serves as the Manager of Outpatient Perinatal Services at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California. St. Joseph Hospital is a 525 bed acute care hospital, the largest entity in the St. Joseph Health System. In this role she oversees the clinical operations of the Mother Baby Assessment Center, Perinatal Education, The Maternal Depression Program and Bridges for Newborns.
Ms. Suchy is past president of the Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition and is actively involved in the Orange County Perinatal Council, the International Lactation Consultant Association and the Best Buddies Organization. She has served as a guest speaker for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Hospital Association of Southern California, and the Healthcare Agency of Orange County-WIC events. Ms. Suchy is currently completing her Master’s degree in Nursing Administration at California State University, Fullerton.
“As a health professional in Maternal Child Health for over 20 years, I am committed to providing quality care and compassion to our families in Orange County ”, says Carol Suchy, “It is very exciting to see the impact that MOMS Orange County has on our underserved families–improving birth outcomes to create a healthier community”.
James Owens is currently the Associate Vice President, Branch Manager and Financial Advisor with the Santa Ana office of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. With over 15 years of experience, James works with individual and business clients to meet their investment, retirement, insurance and financial planning objectives. Mr. Owens is currently a Certified Financial Planner Candidate and his current and past affiliations include the Santa Ana Rotary Club, Placentia Rotary Club, 100 Black Men of Orange County, Urban Bankers, Black Chamber of Commerce, and The Second Harvest Food Bank.
“MOMS Orange County holds a sound reputation in the community for the impact it has had on mothers, babies and their families in Orange County,” says James Owens, “I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors and be a part of the mission-driven work of MOMS Orange County.”
