Dr. Susan Ellis Crutchfield, a trailblazing physician and beloved sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away in Saint Paul on March 16, 2024, at the age of 83.

Susan was born on July 29, 1940 in Charleston, West Virginia. Her parents, Carter Vernard Ellis and Mary Jackson Ellis, moved to Minnesota in 1947 to attend the University of Minnesota. That same year, her mother became the first full-time Black elementary school teacher in Minneapolis.

Susan's life was marked by extraordinary scholarship and achievements; an unwavering love for her family and friends; and a selfless commitment to improving health outcomes for all, but especially within the Black community. Susan was a dedicated physician and made groundbreaking contributions to both healthcare services and medical insurance.

As a five-year-old, Susan was already a rising third grader in Minneapolis, and was interviewed by the national radio program Hobby Lobby about a fast spelling game she played with her mother. She knew she wanted to be a medical doctor from a young age.

At the age of 15, Susan graduated from Minneapolis Central High School. Susan then attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. In 1963, she earned a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) making history as the first Black woman and the youngest person (at 22 years old) to graduate from the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Dr. Crutchfield started her career as a family physician in South Minneapolis and especially enjoyed taking care of children, as she had once dreamed of being a pediatrician. By 1966, she and her then husband, Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield had two young sons, Charles III and Carleton, and the family moved to Spokane, Washington. She worked as Clinic Director at Spokane Falls Community College while her husband was serving as a Captain at Fairchild Air Force Base. In 1969, the family returned to Minnesota. They were the first Black family to integrate the Highland Park neighborhood in Saint Paul. A year later, the family welcomed a third son, Christopher.

For two decades, Dr. Susan Crutchfield worked at the Minneapolis office of Prudential Insurance Company, one of the world's largest insurance companies. She began as Associate Medical Director and also practiced occupational medicine. She advanced to Director of Medical Services, finishing her career there as Vice President of Medical Services. She possessed extensive medical administrative knowledge. Her expansive experience included ambulatory clinical medicine, wellness and preventive medicine, financial oversight of medical managed care organizations, and insurance benefit design planning. Dr. Crutchfield was one of the rising Black women executives at Fortune 500 companies featured in Ebony magazine in 1984.

While at Prudential Insurance Company, Susan met Robert Mitsch. They married on May 15, 1976. The next year, their son Robert was born. Susan and Bob remained happily married for over 47 years.

Dr. Crutchfield was Metropolitan Health Plan Director at Hennepin County Medical Center for a decade. As an independent Managed Medical Care Consultant, she guided health management organization clients with her impressive expertise in life and health risk underwriting, quality assurance and cost containment.

Dr. Crutchfield served in numerous leadership positions. She was Chairman of the Board for the Minneapolis Children's Hospital and Stratis Health. She served on the boards of the American Heart Association, the Southside Clinic, and Tubman.

Dr. Crutchfield prioritized community outreach. She supported science education for children as a Charter Member of the Science Museum of Minnesota. She advocated for a smoke-free ordinance in Saint Paul on KMOJ radio, on behalf of the Ramsey Medical Society and the Ramsey Tobacco Coalition. She and her son, Dr. Charles Crutchfield III, co-hosted a local radio program on medical questions - for which they won the Gold Triangle Award (the highest honor from the American Academy of Dermatology) in 2003.

Throughout her life, Dr. Crutchfield endeavored to improve the health of others, especially within the Black community. For a decade, she volunteered as a family doctor and as a board member at Southside Clinic in Minneapolis. To support the diversity of future medical doctors, she served on the Minority Admissions Committee at the University of Minnesota Medical School for eight years.

Over the decades, Susan loved traveling with Bob. Her favorite city was Paris, France, where they had honeymooned. California became a favorite place when her son Robert was attending the University of Southern California. Susan and Bob also enjoyed exploring Italy, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Susan loved flowers and visited many gardens on her travels. The Huntington and Descanso Gardens near Pasadena were Susan's favorite gardens because their flowers bloom year round. Susan was also a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins.

In retirement, Susan was thrilled to spend time with her precious grandchildren, always eager to be a part of their lives. Her calendar was filled with their activities, celebrating their birthdays and accomplishments, and attending their performances and sports events. She was delighted to bake cookies, play board games, and make holiday memories with them at her home.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Carter Vernard Ellis and Mary Jackson Ellis; her brother Carter III; and her son Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield, III. She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Mitsch; her cherished sons Carleton (Linda) Crutchfield, Christopher (Thu-Mai) Crutchfield, and Robert Mitsch; her daughter-in-law Laurie Crutchfield; her sister, Joy Ellis Bartlett; and her 15 cherished grandchildren: Mahogany (William), Elias, Zachariah, Leenah, Olivia, Carmen, Safiya, Charles IV, Coral, Arianna, Christopher, Carina, Adam, Danial, and Sarah. She also leaves behind a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

In honoring the legacy of Dr. Susan Ellis Crutchfield, we celebrate a remarkable life filled with compassion for others; dedication to excellence and scholarship; commitment to improving the well-being of all, and especially within the Black community; and boundless love for her family. Her lifetime of contributions will inspire generations to come. She will be dearly missed and will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Doctors Without Borders would be welcomed tributes in honor of Susan’s legacy. Burial at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis. Arrangements by O’Halloran & Murphy, Saint Paul.

Published on March 24, 2024