Bridgette M. Brawner, an associate professor in the department of family and community health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, received the Diversity and Equity Award from the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.
The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in providing culturally-sensitive mental health services to individuals, families, and/or groups through the development of innovative and significant contributions to the teaching of, research about, and/or practice of culturally sensitive mental health care in nursing; the development of knowledge that contributed to improved understanding or strategies regarding the influences of culture on mental health; and/or the establishment of a culturally sensitive program to promote access to services for diverse individuals, families, and groups.
Along with her extensive federally-funded research into the factors influencing HIV and AIDS among Black residents of Philadelphia, Dr. Brawner focuses on how mental health conditions, such as depression in Black youth, correlate with unhealthy behaviors.
“I do the work that I do because it is my life’s calling. My motivation isn’t for commendation, so it is truly an honor to receive international recognition for my commitment to improve health in disenfranchised populations and communities,” Dr. Brawner said. “Humbled and overwhelmed are understatements of what it means to receive this award. I am grateful to those who nominated me, as well as to all of the people who believed in me and supported me along my journey.”
Dr. Brawner received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Brawner also holds a master of divinity degree from the Palmer Theological Seminary in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
