Laura Beth Brown, RN, MSN, Vice President of Vanderbilt Health Services (Vanderbilt University / Steve Green)
What led you to join Leadership Health Care?
My father was involved in the medical field as a radiology and lab technician for TVA’s Medical Unit. I would go to work with him on many occasions and became fascinated by health care and the delivery team. I think early exposure to Nurse Practitioners and Physicians sparked my interest in thinking one day I want to be one of them!
What has been the most rewarding part of being a member of Leadership Health Care?
Networking and education. LHC provides enormous opportunity to immerse one’s self in a learning environment. I have created great relationships with other health care leaders that have proven to be resourceful and rewarding. This is very difficult to accomplish from within a single employer environment and LHC provides the platform to make this happen.
What is your favorite thing about Nashville?
Music, food and health care.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Always have women on your Board of Directors; they will never sell your company.”
“Invest your time and others wisely; for example, planning for a one-hour meeting should include at least two hours of planning.”
“Don’t look back when plowing the field; your row will not be straight.”
What famous business person do you most admire and why?
Dolly Parton. You don’t like yourself if you don’t like Dolly Parton! She is super smart and has always stayed grounded in roots. I am by far the biggest Dolly fan in America.
As you think about the future of the health care industry, what is most motivating to you?
Change, change and change! I also think about the need for health care and it should be one of the essentials that all people have access to—that motivates me every day! I am a clinician at heart and always remind myself of how I got here, who and what influenced me, and how important it is to continue this journey!