Dr. Ruth C. Browne is a nationally recognized visionary and innovator in the field of urban health and education. As Chief Executive Officer of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health (AAIUH), Dr. Browne has served as the Institute’s spokesperson and public persona since its inception. Founded by legendary tennis champion and humanitarian Arthur Ashe just 3 months prior to his death in 1992, under Dr. Browne’s leadership the Institute has gained national recognition as a pioneer in developing culturally competent services that address racial, ethnic and gender disparities in health. Her efforts to advance Ashe’s legacy span 18 years, during which she led AAIUH in expanding its reach as a best practice harbinger of interventions that improve health and education for multi-ethnic populations locally and nationally. Dr. Browne is the chief architect of the Institute’s partnership with SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where she is also an Associate Professor in the Colleges of Medicine and Health Related Professions. Dr. Browne has led several teams of researchers conducting behavioral health intervention and training projects aimed at addressing health equity issues. She is Co-Director of the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center, an NIH funded Center of Excellence, and a partnership between the Institute, the academic health center and the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office. Dr. Browne is a resident of Brooklyn, New York and is Fulbright Short Term Research Specialist alumnus. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Princeton University, a Master of Public Health and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and a Doctor of Science from Harvard University School of Public Health.
Dr. Browne brings a solid reputation in building partnerships and institutions to the NEXUS Scholars Program. Her project falls under the Science, Technology and Innovation theme of the NEXUS program promoting expanded access to educational opportunity at the secondary school level. Dr. Browne is a steward for social innovation and believes passionately in the potential for youth to contribute to solving societies most intractable human service challenges. As a NEXUS Scholar she will develop a Social Determinants of Health Equity Externship program for Caribbean High School Students working with University of the West Indies, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Trinidad and Tobago and local non-governmental organizations.