NORTHAMPTON — Northampton Public Health Nurse Jennifer Brown was honored by the Massachusetts Health Officers Association with the Sandra Collins Public Health Nursing award in December for her demonstration of exceptional dedication in furthering public health initiatives.
Brown told Reminder Publishing she was surprised and honored to hear she won this recognition as she was nominated by her peers without knowing.
“The other thing is it made me very happy to start thinking about promoting and highlighting public health nursing. So much of what we do in public health nursing, the results are out on the horizon,” Brown said. “You work on things you don’t really see what the outcome is so sometimes we don’t get that recognition, so it made me very happy that we’re talking about public health and how important it is.”
Brown has worked in local public health for over 15 years and just joined Northampton in 2023 following a role in Amherst. The award also in part honored Brown for exemplifying the qualities of a true leader, guiding public health initiatives with a clear vision and a deep dedication to improving the well-being of all community members.
“I think about public health as being so multi-faceted,” Brown said. “There are so many ways to organize what you do as public health nurse.”
As an advocate for health equity and being committed to ensuring every individual has access to quality care regardless of socioeconomic status, Brown said a key part of her job is the assessment process.
“It’s also really listening and hearing people. Identifying gaps and then intervention,” Brown explained. “One thing about public health is you need to be listening and keeping alert to what’s going on in your population. Theres always something to learn for personal gain but also it means ways to help your community.”
Brown explained her role in Northampton is part of a shared service program that extends to other communities in the surrounding region. She said her office provides services for 14 different municipalities.
The expanded role with services extending to communities outside of Northampton has given Brown added motivation to continue her success. A big key in pulling that off is collaboration, according to Brown.
“I have to say its collaboration. I think that is the key thing, working with our partners. Its different from being in the hospital where a specific goal is patient outcome. When you’re out in the community you’re really working with different groups,” Brown said.
After taking some time to reflect on the recognition of her work, Brown said her focus would be continuing the success she’s had and trying her best to promote health equity in Northampton and beyond for the publics benefit.
“You have to be able to shift and see what worked and what didn’t and move forward. Health equity is such an important thing. Everyone deserves the best possible outcome for them and their families,” Brown added.
