SYDNEY Y. K. BROWN

Program Coordinator | Meharry Medical College

Sydney Y. K. Brown is a highly sought dissemination expert and research consultant. Skilled in innovative cross-cultural strategies to engage vulnerable populations, her work has been recognized in community-based and academic settings. She has demonstrated outstanding public service via her work with the Roberta Baines Wheeler (RBW) Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Awareness Group, Learn CPR America, Tennessee Department of Health’s Health Disparities Task Force, and through research she has conducted and been a contributing member. She uses her skills in research to help measure the impact of community engagement.

Using innovative dissemination strategies, Sydney communicates vital information to communities to ensure that data is reflective of needs and provides opportunities for growth and development. She has been called upon to speak to students at Belmont University, Fisk University, Tennessee State University, and Meharry Medical College. Sydney’s work extends beyond the borders of the United States. Working on a global scale, she has been a mentor to over 200 students nationally and internationally. She has also provided education about pulmonary hypertension and leadership development both domestically and globally. In addition to this, she has led international community service efforts which have specifically resulted in youth from Nashville, TN, being able to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa; Medellin Colombia, South America; Turks and Caicos Islands; and Costa Rica. During her foreign travel with youth, Sydney has guided them in community service efforts. Wherever she travels, nationally and internationally, her goal is to empower and provide tools for leaders to make sustainable change in their communities. When she identifies a need in the community, she helps to create a program in the community to serve and make a difference. She volunteers to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation to persons experiencing homelessness, teenage mothers, older adults, and other communities in need.

Sydney has received numerous honors and awards. Most recently Sydney was a recipient of the Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award in honor of her service across Tennessee against health inequities. Additionally, she was recognized by Agnes Scott College’s Neuroscience Department, receiving the Synapse Award in Research Excellence which recognizes excellence in neuroscience research. Sydney was also recognized for her volunteer service and received the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award, United States of America. Sydney has also been the recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award and Outstanding Leadership Award from Jack and Jill of America. Her work as a student in Nashville, and abroad resulted in being honored with the State of Tennessee Day of Recognition from Governor Bill Haslam and Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Karl F. Dean. She is excited to continue her passion for community health and medicine as she begins medical school in July at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science starting in July 2023.

Sydney currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Department of Professional and Medical Education and the Department of Integrated Didactics at Meharry Medical College. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience at Agnes Scott College. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Leadership, Public Service, and Public Policy from Lipscomb University.