Heather Brown

My name is Heather C. Brown, the C being the name of my grandmother Christina, who was my biggest inspiration to start a career in public health and healthcare. I am a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, and I call Sumter, South Carolina home. One thing I believe as a southern girl with a multiethnic background (aside from the fact southern food is the best!) is that the biggest thing we can do as people is help one another. Which is why I, following in my mother's footsteps chose a career in the medical field - to do just that. Interestingly enough, during my undergrad years, I minored in Spanish simply because I thought learning a language was fascinating. Today, I see it as an asset in a globalized world and an important ability in the medical field. I recognized I could communicate with so many more people who I crossed paths with daily - as Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language after English. How does that relate to medicine though? Well, I’m certain that aside from being able to understand the research from other countries, here at home, my future patients will always appreciate a doctor who can address their needs in a language that comforts their hearts.

Throughout my experiences at the University of South Carolina, I learned that it is okay, and beneficial to have boundaries. They allow you to know yourself better as a whole person and enable you to protect your values, morals, and integrity. When you know what you'll accept and what you will not, you are also more likely to prevail on what you believe. I think everyone should cultivate principles to live by.

 I am always inspired by many men and women who denounced the comforts of home to help those in need at home and abroad. One great example set for me was by my own mother who is often helping so many in my hometown with whatever resources she has. Reading their accounts and watching my mother, and seeing how they were able to dedicate their own time and money to support others has led me to want to be financially free one day. I say this because I know I cannot help others until I help myself. In addition, I want to travel the world to learn and experience the cultures of other people. I spend many hours learning about our world, because having perspective leads to personal growth and the best currency a person can have - meaningful connections. My love for culture heavily influenced my research during my undergraduate years, with my research spanning two continents. When you connect with people, you are able to reassure them that they will receive the best care modern medicine can provide. That is my ultimate goal. To give myself and others the freedom to thrive.

Career-wise I have a lot I want to do…

• I want to become a doctor, one that focuses on preventing disease, rather than simply curing symptoms. I would love to help expand the potential of medicine and incorporate plants as medicine too - our ancestors may have been onto something with medicinal botany.
• I want to open a nonprofit organization that either provides free healthcare or provides children with an education that prepares them For life by teaching what students don't learn in a public school. 
• Lastly, I want to help disadvantaged groups access the best healthcare regardless of background.

Aside from medicine, I am interested in the humanities, particularly where they pertain to understanding other cultures.  Because our world is so interconnected, you simply don't know where life will take you, and it is best to be able to respect where you are and adapt and enjoy life while you work. That means being honest, trustworthy, easygoing, and humorous. My most pleasant experiences with learning about the Latin American community encompassed a lot of dancing and sharing of food - those memories I will never forget. 

Graduation with leadership distinction is an honor given based on a student's engagement with the community beyond the classroom. GLD facilitates the application and understanding of the connection between what we students learn in the classroom and in “real world” settings to solve problems...

There were several "pathways" I could have chosen, but I always liked research because it is what is most familiar and in-depth to me, and as a pathway, I feel research allows for more creativity and dedication when picking a subject of interest. I was looking for volunteer opportunities in healthcare at USC when I found out about Graduation With Leadership Distinction. I never intended to complete a GLD, but I am glad I stumbled upon this opportunity because it allowed me to grow professionally and develop a new love - public health.