Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Edward Suarez
Dr Edward Suarez received his Doctorate of Psychology degree from Northwest University in 2018. Currently, he is a professor at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. In addition, Dr. Suarez is the Behavioral Director of IDEA Social Services program which is Florida’s first needle exchange program. Furthermore, Dr. Suarez works with HIV patients and transplant patients providing psychiatric evaluations.
Dr. Suarez chose Northwest University’s Doctoral Degree in Psychology because of the program’s focus on social justice. Specifically, Dr. Suarez was impressed with the professors’ commitment to servant leadership and advocacy for marginalized populations along with the application of social action to real world psychological issues within the community. Dr. Suarez also appreciated that NU Professors cared about each student as a human being.
During Dr. Suarez’s time as a doctoral student, he worked within the department of corrections and also at a community health center. These experiences, his clinical work during the day, and the knowledge he gained through his course work at night all prepared him to use his knowledge and skillsets to add value to his community. Equally important, the focus on a multicultural lens within Northwest University’s Doctoral program prepared Dr. Suarez to meet the clinical needs of the diverse populations that he currently serves in his role at the University of Miami. Dr. Suarez is grateful for the preparation and training that he received through Northwest University’s Psy.D. Program and that he is able to meet the clinical needs of underserved populations.