BHRS Employee Spotlight Posted on October 30, 2026 Welcome to the Employee Spotlight series, where we feature a BHRS employee each quarter to recognize their impact, highlight their work and learn more about the people who serve our community. BHRS employees are encouraged to fill out the form here to nominate a fellow BHRS employee to be featured in the BHRS Newsletter. Name Dr. Sue Smith Hometown Menlo Park Job title Psychiatrist at BHRS East Palo Alto Clinic What do you do? I provide assessments, medication management and ongoing follow up for patients in our clinic. I have also supervised some of the doctors who are training to become psychiatrists. How long have you worked for BHRS/San Mateo County? 19 years What do you enjoy most about your job? I enjoy the privilege of caring for others who may not receive the help they need elsewhere. It is very rewarding to see changes and progress. Hearing about their lives and how that impacts their mental health has made me a better doctor. What has been your most rewarding experience on the job? The most rewarding experiences are the connections I have made with colleagues and patients. I returned to South County where I originally worked from 2000 to 2009, (in 2022 to help cover and 2026 when the East Palo Alto clinic was being remodeled). Seeing some of my former patients, either to provide care or encountering them in the clinic, gave us the chance to reminisce about those earlier days and colleagues they remembered who made an impact in their lives. One patient associated his recovery with the clinic and continues to get treatment there, even though he lives in a different part of the county now. Connections matter! Favorite activities/hobbies or things you like doing when you are not working? I enjoy spending time with family, friends and singing. I hope to get back into playing percussion and cross-country skiing. If I weren’t a psychiatrist, I’d be a… If I weren’t a psychiatrist, I would be a teacher. I have been a mentor in the Computer Academy at Menlo Atherton High School for the past 5 years. Each year I meet with a high school junior 4 times during the school year to help them prepare for their future. We discuss their interests, future career goals, whether college or otherwise, set goals to improve their academic scores, review resumes and conduct mock job interviews. Many have not had a family member attend a trade school, training program or college. It is very rewarding to provide guidance and knowledge to our youth. Dr. Smith was nominated by BHRS Medical Director Dr. Tasha Souter who shared, “Dr. Smith has been a community psychiatrist in our system of care for many years. She graduated from the BHRS Psychiatry Residency Training program and has always kept the needs of our clients as paramount. She works at the East Palo Alto Clinic where she provides outstanding, evidence-based, compassionate treatment to our clients while working tirelessly to outreach and uplift this community. She is also a dedicated and excellent teacher for our current residents. She is always positive, empathic, and collaborative with the clinical team. Her warmth, skill and dedication is an asset to BHRS.” Thank you, Dr. Smith, for your work at BHRS!