Celebrating the Present: A Spotlight on Rodger Brown

This week we're CELEBRATING THE PRESENT by shining the spotlight on Rodger Brown, MHA . We caught up with Rodger with a Q&A to learn about his journey to his current position as Administrator at the Austin-located facility Heritage Park Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center.

Q: How long have you worked in healthcare?

A: I have worked in healthcare since 1994. I received my Nursing Home Administrator's License in 1998. My journey as an Administrator has taken me to multiple areas throughout the state of Texas. From the small towns to the largest cities to my current role in Austin where my journey began.

Q: How many of those years have been with Regency?

A: I joined the Regency Integrated Health Services team in 2016. My tenure with Regency for 6-and-a-half years at Heritage Park Skilled and Rehabilitation Center is one of the most rewarding in my 25-year career and by far the best group of Administrators I have worked with in my career. My long tenure as an Administrator is due to the most compassionate team at Heritage Park providing exceptional care to the underserved of our community.

Q: Have you always been an Administrator? Why?

A: Yes, from the age of 6, I knew that I wanted to work in a healthcare facility as an executive leader. My journey led me to Southwest Texas State University's Healthcare Administration Program and the post-baccalaureate program for long-term care administration. I will complete my master's degree in health care administration at Trinity University in San Antonio this summer.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

A: The most rewarding aspect of my position is the miracles that our staff perform every day providing care to individuals who reside in our communities.

The opportunity to provide staff members with the tools and assistance to grow from long-term certified nurse aides to licensed nurses. There is no greater reward than having that level of impact on an individual's life.

The opportunity to serve the community with a healthcare leader who looks like them. In the long-term care industry, a large percentage of residents, families, and staff originate from the same type of community that I grew up surrounded by. I understand at a personal level the views and concerns of the black community which allows me the opportunity to give back to those who gave to me.

Q: What inspires you as a leader?

A: When I was a new administrator, I was proud to show my mother the big office and the staff who worked for me. My mother stopped me and gathered my attention, then she corrected me by informing me that my role as an Administrator was more than a job with the big office. She stated that my role as a leader was a ministry similar to the ministry of Jesus from the Book of Matthew 4:23-24 to provide healing to those with sickness and disease. From that point forward I never looked at my job the same again.

Q: How many leaders have you mentored over the years?

A: Since I have been with Regency, I have mentored eight licensed administrators.

Q: How does Black history influence your life as a leader?

A: I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors and leaders who cleared the way for the opportunities that I am afforded as a leader. Dr. King taught me that I must dream, a dream bigger than myself. George Washington Carver taught me to have personal responsibility. Fredrick Douglas taught me that adversity, rejection, and challenge are prerequisites to leadership. Malcolm X taught that leaders must be educated to succeed. Barrack Obama inspires believing and pursuing the impossible. Without their resilience and sacrifice, I undoubtedly would have faced greater obstacles on my journey to becoming a leader.

Q: Why do you think it's important to celebrate Black History Month?

A: Black History Month is an important reflection of the presence of African Americans' contributions to the American experience. The African American community and our great nation provide this opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the achievements of African American individuals despite the history of oppression and racism. Q: What can we do to support Black individuals interested in pursuing a career in healthcare?

Provide executive-level sponsorship and coaching for diverse leaders through leadership development programs.

Q: What is something that people do not know about you?

A: Instead of a Trapper Keeper, I carried a briefcase to school in elementary and middle school.

After a visit to the ER for a dog bite at 6 years old and being fascinated with the hospital setting, I always knew that I was going to be a business leader despite being told that Black people do not get those jobs in healthcare.