On Becoming a Leader

It is truly an honor to be standing here today as the Divine Savior Holy Angels 2024 Young Alumna of the Year. I would like to congratulate my fellow awardees, Meg Hagerty Dean [DSHA '94] and Toni Harrison Freeman [DSHA '74], as you both continue to serve as an inspiration to the DSHA community. DSHA has been a foundational cornerstone of my education, and it is with pleasure that in these few moments together, that I share a bit about my journey.

 

From early childhood, my parents have instilled in me the phrase “It takes a village." With time, I came to understand and embody this teaching myself. I matriculated to DSHA from Milwaukee Montessori School, where for 11-12 years, my family, my home, was with my classmates and teachers there. It was at MMS that I first discovered my interest in science and mathematics. The Montessori methodology allowed me to have an individualized curriculum, which further accelerated my skills in these subjects. As such, when my parents were discussing options for my high school education, DSHA was the natural choice given the robust college preparatory curriculum along with my parents’ shared beliefs in the qualities of a DSHA graduate.  

 

In August of 2005, I arrived at the doorsteps of 4527 N 100^th Street. This sprawling tan brick building where I was set to spend the next four years, was both welcoming and daunting. I received my yellow and red annual planner and clutched this closely as I navigated to my first high school class to the sound of the first bell.  Being an introvert, I sat quietly at my desk, when doubt began to set in. I was slowly realizing how different I was in comparison to my peers. In hearing their conversations, I questioned where I could fit in. I was not the loudest in the room, nor the funniest, I was not the most athletic, nor the most artistic. I came from a different faith background and the most poignant fact being that I was one of six Black women in my class of 165 women. How was I to find myself? How was I to flourish? The novelty of it all was overwhelming.

However, one class later that afternoon helped to change my trajectory at DSHA. I was sitting in my first world history class, when I was greeted by [Social Studies Department Chair] Patrick Dawson. He created a warm and welcoming classroom environment, one of inquiry, one where differences of opinion were encouraged and supported. He presented historical facts, that he would then allow us to critically evaluate. He encouraged active participation, and as such, helped me to learn that my voice was meaningful and valuable. My confidence in the classroom quickly grew thanks to my many exceptional teachers at DSHA; I can recall parent-teacher conference reports evolving from “Brittany is a bit quiet, could participate more” to “Brittany is an active participant and leader.” 

I excelled in my many STEM classes, while concurrently being able to explore new interests such as history and economics (thanks to Mr. Dawson, [Retired Social Studies Faculty Sue] Goulee, and [Social Studies Faculty Chris] Weiss) which contributed to my well-rounded education. Because of my success in the STEM classes at DSHA, I was nominated by the Science Department to participate in the Medical College of Wisconsin Apprenticeship in Medicine program, a summer program that solidified my commitment to a career in medicine.

 

Throughout my time at DSHA, while the classroom remained my safe space to allow my voice to be heard, I learned that my voice also had value outside of the classroom. I recognized that I could use my voice to uplift my community and to advocate for those from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds. My leadership in the classroom led to my assuming leadership roles outside of the classroom. I volunteered as an admissions student recruiter as I truly believed that all young women, regardless of background, should have access to a DSHA education. I also lead the Sisters of Culture club to help promote inclusivity in our learning environment. Beyond my years at DSHA, my confidence in my voice has afforded me many leadership opportunities. Some of these opportunities have included serving as the first Black Woman Chief Resident at the University of Miami Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program, to becoming the first physiatrist to pursue a headache medicine fellowship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to my most recent role of serving as the sole headache specialist for Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

 

Finding my voice at DSHA has been an incredibly impactful life skill, but arguably, learning to be an active listener has been of even greater importance in my career. One cannot advocate without listening and hearing the community one is serving. In my current role as an assistant professor and clinician educator, I teach various levels of learners from undergraduates to clinical fellows. It is my goal to always create a supportive and safe learning space for all, emulating my experience at DSHA. Clinically, I often serve as a second opinion, or “last hope” for many of my patients who have suffered catastrophic injuries or who struggle with debilitating headache diagnoses. Listening to my patients share their medical journey with me, allows my patients and I to work as a team to create individualized treatment plans.

 

In a time where healthcare systems are under scrutiny, physicians are retiring and/or quitting medicine at accelerated rates, what keeps me going each day is the feedback I receive from my patients. What also keeps me going is knowing that I now carry the torch to mentor and teach the future of medicine. What keeps me going is the reminder that in 2024, women only represent 38% of active physicians, with only 2.8% being Black women.

 

I believe DSHA is doing its part in working to help alleviate this disparity of women in medicine. DSHA’s history of supporting and producing young women who enter STEM fields is unparalleled in Milwaukee as evidenced by several classmates and trainees at the Medical College of Wisconsin being alumna of DSHA. I was recently asked to give remarks at the Medical College of Wisconsin for the summer program graduation, and I was so encouraged to see current DSHA students participating. In the forthcoming years, my hope is that DSHA will continue to expand science and mathematics course offerings and continue to grow the STEM Scholars Program. With your ongoing contributions, I believe DSHA will be successful in these efforts.

 

In closing, I would like to thank the members of my village who have had an incredible hand in my journey:

At DSHA: Social Studies Department Chair Patrick Dawson, Social Studies Department Faculty Chris Weiss, Retired Social Studies Faculty Sue Goulee, Retired Science Faculty Sue Reidy†, Retired DSHA President Ellen Bartel, Former Assistant to the President Mary Beitzel, Retired Advancement Secretary Vicky Modra, and Custodian Team Leader Claudia Sanders

 

At Xavier University: Dr. Paulding and Dr. Close-Jacobs

 

At the Medical College of Wisconsin: Dr. Dawn Bragg, Dr. Candice Lovell, Dr. Malika Siker, and Dr. Alonzo Walker

At the University of Miami: Dr. Chane Price and Dr. Teshamae Monteith

 

My mentors: Niushen Zhang, Dr. Rebecca Burch, and Dr. Krista Brooks-Horrar

 

My family: My parents, brother, grandparents, Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Jose, Godmother Cara, my husband, and Autumn.