Loree Sutton | |
|---|---|
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| Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans' Services | |
| In office July 2016 – November 2019 | |
| Appointed by | Bill de Blasio |
| Succeeded by | James Hendon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1959-07-15)July 15, 1959 (age 65) Loma Linda, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | [1] |
| Education | Pacific Union College (BS) Loma Linda University (MD) National War College (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands | DeWitt Army Community Hospital Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
Loree K. Sutton (born July 15, 1959) is an American psychiatrist and retired military officer who served as abrigadier general in theUnited States Army. Sutton served for over 20 years and was awarded aBronze Star. From 2007 to 2010, She was the Army's highest-ranking psychiatrist. In 2014, New York City MayorBill de Blasio appointed Sutton as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans' Services. Sutton was a candidate in the2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary.
Sutton was born and raised inLoma Linda, California.[2][3] Her mother, Lavaun Sutton, was a former cardiac intensive care nurse.[4]
Sutton graduated fromPacific Union College with aBachelor of Science inbusiness administration in 1981.[5] Sutton graduated from medical school atLoma Linda University in 1985, and completed her internship and residency in psychiatry atLetterman Army Medical Center.[4][5] She is also a graduate of theU.S. Army Command and General Staff College, with an M.S. in national security strategic studies, and theNational War College.[6][7]
Sutton served in the United States military for over 20 years.[5] She was deployed toSaudi Arabia,Iraq,Kuwait, andEgypt in support of the firstGulf War and other missions.[8]
Sutton was commander of theCarl R. Darnall Army Medical Center inFort Hood,Texas, beginning in 2005, commander of theDeWitt Army Community Hospital, Deputy Commander for clinical services at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, and a special assistant to theSurgeon General of the United States Army.[9]
Sutton was the founding director of theDefense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury in 2007, and was a special assistant to theAssistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.[10][8] She was the United States Army's highest-ranking psychiatrist from 2007 to 2010.[5][11]
During her career, Sutton received many awards, including theLegion of Merit,Bronze Star Medal,Defense Meritorious Service Medal, andOrder of Military Medical Merit.[5] She was one of only 15 female generals out of the 1.3 million soldiers serving in the Army.[12] She retired from the military in 2010.[5]
In 2014, New York City MayorBill de Blasio appointed Sutton as Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Veterans’ Affairs,[5] and from 2017 to 2019, was the Commissioner of the newly formed New York City Department of Veterans’ Services.[13] She resigned in October 2019 to launch her campaign for Mayor of New York City.[14] She struggled to raise money and never polled higher than 2%, resulting in her dropping out on March 10, 2021.[15][16][17]
At theNYC Pride March in 2015, Sutton proposed to her lesbian partner Laurie Leitch.[18]
