Antioch College recently announced that alumna Susan Barkan is the recipient of the prestigious Horace Mann Award for Lifetime Contributions to Health Equity. The Horace Mann Award, named for the college’s first president, celebrates individuals who embody Antioch’s commitment to social justice and positive change.
Susan Barkan has dedicated her career to addressing racial and economic disparities in health, focusing especially on children, youth, and families. With over two decades as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health, her work spans social determinants of health, child welfare, HIV/AIDS, and community-based research. As Director of Research at UW’s Partners for Our Children until her retirement in 2023, Susan led innovative programs such as the Strive Supervised Visitation Program, which supports families involved in child welfare.
“Antioch gave me the courage to follow my conviction and dedicate my career to reducing disparities in health and wellbeing,” said Barkan. “This award honors not just my work, but the communities and colleagues who have shaped and supported these efforts.”
Photo credit: Jennifer Freeze