Dr. Suzanne Afflalo is a Family Physician, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica WI, worked at Kaiser Permanente as a partner of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) for 23 years and retired in 10/2015. She received her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington DC and completed her Family Medicine Residency at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles.  

Dr. Afflalo served as Chief of the Family Medicine Department for 6 years; held the SCPMG Professional Staff President position for 3 years and taught numerous medical students and residents as an Associate Faculty of UCSD School of Medicine since 1994.  She also served on numerous committees during her 23-year career at Kaiser Permanente.

Dr. Afflalo currently serves as the Medical Director for the Alliance Health Clinic, which provides healthcare for the refugee population.  She also serves on many boards, including the County of San Diego’s Health Services Advisory Board (Vice-chair), the UCSD Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board, the Multicultural Health Foundation Board, Scripps Hub Academic Research Core Advisory Board, San Diego Black Nurses Association Advisory Board, San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative-Healthcare Domain (co-chair), the COVID-19 Equity Task Force,  the Regional COVID-19 Task Force for Equitable Recovery and SDSU Community Advisory Board for Communities Fighting COVID.

Over the past 25 years, Dr. Afflalo has spent most of her free time volunteering in the community, lecturing on breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, other health related issues and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.  She is very passionate about working specifically with minority and underserved communities, educating, encouraging and empowering people to obtain the best health possible. She has organized several health fairs and have done health screening at several barbershops, churches and community events.  

In spring 2014, she designed and implemented “A Healthier Me” (AHM), a lifestyle change and health-improvement program developed to decrease the morbidity and mortality of African-Americans and other minorities with various cardiovascular risks. It provides health education, addresses healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss, blood pressure and diabetes control to improve the overall health of minority communities.  She has successfully implemented the AHM program in 4 churches in the Southeastern San Diego community, but her goal is to spread “A Healthier Me” to several other churches and organizations in San Diego.  

In February 2017, Dr. Afflalo and a colleague organized a monthly community health and resource event that brings several organizations together to collaboratively serve the Southeastern San Diego community. This monthly “Community Outreach Event” provides free health services, numerous resources and fresh produce to over 400 people each month.  

During the past 20 years, Dr. Afflalo has participated in several mentoring programs for middle and high school students interested in the medical field… (Kaiser Permanente’s Hippocrates Circle Program, Kaiser Permanente’s Summer Youth Program, Delta Foundation Leadership Development Mentor Program and SAY San Diego-Work Force Development Program).

Professional and Community Awards:

*Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc (Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter) – Women’s Healthcare & Wellness Award – 10/2019

*Live Well San Diego Public Health Champion Award – 4/2019

*The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper Gerri Warren Humanitarian Award – 2/2019

*Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce – Healthcare Award – 11/2018

*City of Hope International Church – Community Service Award – 12/2017                

*UAAMAC (United African American Ministerial Action Council) “Trailblazer Award” – 1/2017

*San Diego Padres – Spirit of The Community Award – 9/2016                                        

*Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Gamma Chapter, San Diego) – Outstanding Service Award in Health – 6/2016                                                                                          

*Proclamation from San Diego City Council, Councilwoman Myrtle Cole – “Dr. Suzanne E. Afflalo Day” on 12/14/15                                                                                                  

*NAACP – Community Service Award – 12/2015                                                              

*National Black Police Association’s Community Outreach Award – 6/2015                          

*Delta Sigma Theta, Breakfast for Milady “A Tribute to Mothers – Outstanding Community Service Award – 5/2015                                                                                                              

*Dr. Antronette Yancey Community Health Leadership Award – 2014                            

*One of San Diego’s Top 100 Doctors for 7 years (2006 – 2012)                                          

*San Diego Shriner’s Community & Humanitarian Award – 2009                                        

*Kaiser Permanente’s San Diego “Family Physician of the Year” Award – 2008                    

*The Twin Award (Tribute to Women in Industry Award) – 2002                                        

*Kaiser Permanente’s Elizabeth Schilling Compassionate Award – 2000                            

*Kaiser Permanente’s Top 10% Member Satisfaction Award for 18 years (1998 – 2015)      

*Outstanding Physician Service Award 1998, 1999, 2000                                                  

*Kaiser Permanente’s STAR Award – 1995