Susan Spencer, SM '84
Journalism, Health, Education and Marathons
After more than 20 years as part-time residents, my husband and I made the move to Brewster from Central Massachusetts in summer 2026 to become full-fledged washashores.
I earned my master of science in health policy and management from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 1984. But my husband, James, is a Harvard College graduate, class of 1981, and I spent many weekends with my then-boyfriend in Cambridge while I was an undergraduate at Dartmouth College.
I retired last year from a career spanning journalism and health and education policy. For the last five years I was senior writer and editor at UMass Chan Medical School, following 15 years as a news reporter at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Prior to that I worked in various health policy and education nonprofit management roles. One thing Harvard taught me was there’s always more to learn.
I’m a veteran marathon runner and active member of Cape Cod Athletic Club.