Dr. Ryan Brown, MD, has reached the “mountain top” of his professional aspirations. Now his sights are set on helping others ascend alongside him.
Brown serves as a clinical associate professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, an attending physician in the emergency department at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, and the medical director of the hospital's Child Protection Team. He also provides care for pediatric patients at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic.
The Mountain Calls
Brown grew up in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, where he was first introduced to the medical field as a patient within the Indian Health Service.
“I grew up in Indian Health,” Brown said. “So, when I was in high school and college, I thought about what I could do to give back to those that helped and felt called to do medicine.”
Brown attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University after high school, then earned his MD from the OU College of Medicine through an Indian Health Service scholarship, which covered the cost of his education.
Following medical school, Brown completed a three-year residency at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. He then worked for four years at the Choctaw Nation Healthcare Center in Talihina, Oklahoma to fulfill the service requirement of the scholarship that funded his education.
Even after completing the scholarship’s required years of service and starting his role at the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, Brown has remained committed to serving the Native American community in Oklahoma. In addition to his work at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, he is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Native American Child Health.
Forging His Path
From early in his training, Brown found a natural fit in pediatrics.
“They're just fun to work with,” he said. “Kids bounce back well, and there is a lot of preventative stuff that you can do to help kids become healthy adults.”
While on rotation at the Oklahoma Children's Hospital, Brown discovered his passion for pediatric emergency medicine.
“I found that I didn't shy away from kids that were sick. It didn't scare me,” Brown explained. “I saw that there was a need for people wanting to do emergency medicine, for pediatrics, and especially child abuse.”
With more than 20 years of experience working in this field, Brown considers curiosity to be one of his most vital tools.
“I want to make sure that we help kids out and help parents out,” Brown said. “The curiosity [and] the thought of working through a problem helps me work within the ER and child abuse.
Brown’s passion isn’t fueled by a desire for accolades but a heart for serving families. Words of thanks from parents, hand-drawn cards from kids, and the knowledge that his patients are doing well are what bring Brown pride.
“A simple thank you will go so far in medicine, but in life as well,” Brown said. “I don't go to work hoping that I'm going to get 20 ‘thank you’s for every patient. I go to work because it's what I'm called to do.”
Nevertheless, Brown acknowledges that there is one token of gratitude that stands out from the rest: When a child offers him a bite of their favorite snack.
“There's been several that will draw you a picture, like I said, or give you a French fry, which is huge,” Brown shared with a laugh. “It's like, ‘oh my gosh,’ they never share the French fries. I'm taking that French fry and eating it!”
Helping Others Ascend Higher
Brown is content in his role helping children in Oklahoma. He has reached the figurative summit of his career and is now directing his attention to those just beginning their climb.
“I'm on that mountain top, and I want some other people on this mountaintop with me,” Brown said. “I just want other kids that have similar backgrounds to say, ‘Hey, I’m able to do this. I'm able to be a doctor. I'm able to give back to my community.’”
Brown is passionate about outreach that informs students from rural and tribal communities about the resources available to them. He has attended STEM camps and classes coordinated by the Choctaw Nation, where he shares his journey with young students and offers words of encouragement.
“There are obstacles but let me tell you how I overtook some of those obstacles,” Brown said, describing the message he shares with the students he meets. “Let's see if you can fulfill your dreams, just like I'm fulfilling my dreams.”
From his vantage point atop the mountain he dedicated his career to climbing, Brown sees a horizon brimming with potential.
“It's a nice view,” Brown said. “Let's get some more people up here.”
Brown (left) poses with John Carrington (right), the first Native American astronaut to visit space.
Spotlight Stories Speed Round with Dr. Brown:
What is your go-to snack for long days in clinic?
Brown: Give me a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a Coke Zero, and you better get out of my way.
What job would you have if you weren't a doctor?
Brown: I'd love to be a movie critic. I could go and hang out in the movies all day. Other than that, probably a baseball or football coach.
If you could trade jobs with anyone else working in the health field for a day, what would you try out?
Brown: Probably a dietician – helping kids eat better.
What is something that nobody tells you about being a physician?
Brown: The paperwork. Everybody thinks I get to go take care of patients and leave. There's paperwork, there's prior authorizations, there's insurances. It’s the paperwork.