50 Making a Difference profile: Sen. Susan G. Paddack, Oklahoma

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Sep 26, 2008

State Sen. Susan Paddack's personal philosophy is simple - "give people your best, all of the time." It's that attitude that has helped Paddack succeed throughout her career in education and now, in the state Legislature.

Paddack graduated from the University of Colorado in 1974 and then began her career teaching science for several years at junior high schools in Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma. She then spent time as a community volunteer and as an event planning coordinator for a local communications firm. She completed her master's degree in education at East Central University in 1993 and joined the adjunct faculty staff at the Ada university a year later. From 1996-2005, she served as director of local education foundation outreach for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

After years of being involved in education and health care issues and knowing the importance of more progress being made in those areas, Paddack decided it was time to take on a new challenge by running for the District 13 Senate seat. Now starting her second term, she considers her work in the Legislature as her most significant professional accomplishment. Since elected to the Senate in 2004, she has authored more than 40 pieces of legislation dealing with both education and health care in Oklahoma as well as public safety and environmental issues.

"Drawing on my experience as a classroom teacher, I knew the importance of establishing more rigorous high school graduation requirements," she said. "From visiting in senior citizens centers in my area, I knew we must provide prescription medications for the uninsured. From strengthening bail laws in kidnapping cases to finding solutions in meeting the gaps we will experience in health care providers, this position is the most rewarding job I've ever had."

Paddack currently serves on the boards of the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust, Healthcare Workforce Resources Center and Southern Regional Education Board. She also is a member of Business and Professional Women USA.

Her involvement in civic and nonprofit groups includes serving on the boards of the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum, Oklahoma Academy, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and Oklahoma Arts Institute.

Paddack's efforts have earned her several honors, including being named Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians' 2008 Legislator of the Year. She also received the Oklahoma Academy Exceptional Commitment Award and was named to Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy's Child Advocate Hall of Fame earlier this year. In 2007, she was named Advocate of the Year by the Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council and Legislator of the Year by the Metropolitan Environmental Trust, received the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Alumni Association's Amicus Medicinae award and was honored with the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma Friend of Higher Education Award. Her additional honors include being chosen as an honorary member of the Circle for Excellence's Award Winning Educators in 2003. In 1997, she received a special recognition award from the Oklahoma State Medical Association Alliance. In 1992, she received a Friend of Education award from the Ada Education Association.

"The greatest influences on my life are my father and my husband," Paddack said. "My father taught me well the value of hard work and the importance of giving back to your community. My husband shows me unconditional love and unwavering support in all I do."

About Susan:

Birthplace: Baytown, Texas

Spouse: Gary L. Paddack (internal medicine physician)

Children: Geoffrey, 27; and

Elizabeth, 24

Grandchildren: None

First job: Credit department at Dillard's

Dream job: My job now as a state Senator

Pets: Our Labrador retriever

Hobbies: Scuba diving

Favorite type of food: Italian

Favorite type of music: Rock and roll

Favorite vacation spot: Grand Cayman