Honor recognizes significant contributions of a trustee leader in the healthcare community 

Full-time Martha’s Vineyard resident Susan C. Crampton, has been awarded the 2021 Trustee Excellence in Leadership Award from the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA).  Crampton is the treasurer of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital (MVH) and Windemere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s Board of Trustees. Each year, MHA honors the significant contributions of trustee leaders whose professional achievements have been of exceptional value to the healthcare community. 

Crampton has served on the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Board of Trustees for nearly two decades, rejoining the board in 2012 after reaching her initial nine-year term limit in 2010 and being asked back immediately after a one-year hiatus. She is the current board treasurer, and also sits on the Compensation, Compliance, Executive, Finance, Strategic Planning, and Windemere Oversight Committees. 

Crampton is recognized in particular for her commitment to senior care, her leadership in developing MVH’s current affiliation with Massachusetts General Hospital, and her critical role in planning and fundraising for the hospital’s new building. She is also credited with being instrumental in the transformation and redesign of Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – the only long-term care facility on Martha’s Vineyard. Crampton is esteemed by her fellow board members, who describe her as being “a trusted advisor” and “the ‘wise elder’ for the rest of the board.” 

“Small community providers face a unique set of challenges and opportunities,” said Steve Walsh, president & CEO of MHA. “With the expertise and guidance of Susan Crampton, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has been able to expertly navigate these opportunities and remain a world-class healthcare institution for the community it serves. It is our honor to present her with this award in recognition of her deep-seeded commitment to the hospital and its patients.”

“Susan serves a crucial role on our board,” said Denise Schepici, president & CEO of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Windemere Nursing Rehabilitation Center, who nominated Crampton for the honor. “She strikes a graceful balance between ardently advocating for older patients, particularly those struggling with memory loss, and being pointed about fiscal responsibility. Consequently, in recent years, the hospital has added age-friendly services such as cardiology, behavioral medicine, uro-gynecology, and podiatry, while at the same time building a solid, debt-free balance sheet.

“I am delighted to see Susan recognized with MHA’s Trustee Excellence in Leadership Award.”

A Trustee Excellence in Leadership award was also presented to Alan G. Macdonald, JD, former president of Hallmark Health and board of trustees’ member at MelroseWakefield Healthcare.