Thelma Brown
Thelma B. Brown has flourished in the areas of nursing and health administration. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an RN degree, a Master of Public Health degree, and a Health Administration degree. She also has a doctorate which she earned to “overcome the assumed shortcomings of her background.”
She began her career in nursing as a licensed practical nurse at the Duke University Medical Center. In 1969, she became Duke’s first African-American Respiratory Therapist and cardiac catheterization professional.
In addition to serving in several administrative roles at Lincoln Hospital, she was the first African American to be appointed Associate Director of Nursing Service, Assistant Vice President of Nursing, and Administrator of Home Health at the Durham County Hospital Corporation.
Dr. Brown has a CHE credential and is currently the President, CEO, and Administrator of Central Family Care Home (Central Home Health Inc.) in Durham, NC. This custodial care facility provides supportive and personal care services to disabled and/or elderly individuals who cannot function independently in most areas of activity and need assistance and monitoring to enable them to remain in a home like environment.
Interview
Thelma Brown was one of the featured speakers at the “Tea with Trailblazers” event held in the Medical Center Library on February 7, 2008.