Susan Parmer, American Red Cross Blood Services CEO, to Retire

The American Red Cross today announced the retirement of Susan Parmer, RN, CEO of the American Red Cross Blood Services Northern New England Region, effective October 4. Her retirement will conclude a career of close to 30 years.
Parmer began her career with the American Red Cross in 1982 as a staff nurse, traveling to blood drives throughout Vermont and northern New Hampshire. She served as an instructor for new staff and was appointed to positions of increasing responsibility throughout her tenure, including Director of Nursing, Director of Vermont Operations, Senior Director of Collections and Donor Recruitment and Regional Director of Donor Services and has served as CEO of the Northern New England Region, directing close to 400 employees within Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, since 2005.
In her capacity as CEO, Parmer has been responsible for all aspects of Red Cross blood collections throughout northern New England, assuring the successful collection of 190,000 units of whole blood and 26,000 platelet pheresis units annually for distribution to over 80 hospitals. She was also instrumental in starting an autologous donor program, in which eligible candidates for surgeries requiring transfusions may donate their own blood for upcoming procedures. Under her leadership, the Northern New England Region has proven to be one of the most successful of the 36 Red Cross blood services regions throughout the United States and enjoys an excellent record of regulatory compliance.
‘I never imagined, after starting out as a phlebotomist on our bloodmobiles that I would end up as the CEO of a three state region,’ said Parmer. ‘It has been wonderful learning the many aspects of blood collections, then moving into management.’
Parmer attributes the successful blood collection program in northern New England to the many loyal and devoted volunteer donors who give blood for patients in need. In order to best accommodate these dedicated individuals and run an efficient and effective program, Parmer actively sought out successful business owners to learn from and emulate. By encouraging creative thinking and community outreach, and coordinating closely with all other Red Cross programs and services, the Northern New England Blood Services Region has become a model for the rest of the country.
Parmer was presented the American Red Cross Employee Excellence Award in 2000 and was the Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals Nancy Chapman Scholarship recipient in 2006. She is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks, Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals and the Vermont State Nurses Association. She has also been an active member of the Burlington Rotary Club and has participated in numerous community service activities.
She identifies two things as most memorable and valued during her Red Cross career ‘ meeting the many loyal blood donors who help save lives and working with the dedicated Red Cross staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to assure a plentiful community blood supply.
‘Our blood donors never cease to amaze me,’ Parmer stated. ‘They are so humble about the amazing gift they are giving, a gift which may actually help save someone’s life.’
Parmer and husband Steve have two sons. They plan on relocating to begin the next chapter in their lives.