Chair of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Drives Innovation in Faculty Development, Research, and Patient-Centered Care for Older Adults
(WorldFrontNews Editorial):- New Orleans, Louisiana May 1, 2026 (Issuewire.com) – Cynthia J. Brown, MD, MSPH, serves as Chair of the Department of Medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where she also holds the prestigious Charles V. Sanders, MD Endowed Chair in Medicine. Since her appointment in May 2021, Dr. Brown has led the department with a clear vision centered on advancing medical education, strengthening faculty development, and elevating the institution’s national presence in academic internal medicine.
A highly respected clinician-educator, Dr. Brown remains deeply committed to patient care and teaching. She continues to work on the inpatient medicine wards at University Medical Center New Orleans, where she mentors medical students and residents at the bedside. Her leadership fosters a collaborative culture that emphasizes professional growth, clinical excellence, and the development of future leaders in medicine.
Dr. Brown’s journey into medicine is both unique and inspiring. She began her career as a physical therapist after earning her Bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, practicing for a decade before pursuing her calling in medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at Yale University, where she also served as Chief Resident. She went on to complete a fellowship in geriatric medicine, further shaping her commitment to the care of older adults.
Prior to joining LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Brown spent nearly two decades at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she held several key leadership roles. These included Director of the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Vice Chair for Faculty and Staff Development, and Executive Vice Chair. Her tenure at UAB was marked by significant contributions to clinical care, academic leadership, and faculty advancement.
Nationally recognized for her expertise in geriatrics, Dr. Brown’s research focuses on improving mobility and preventing falls among older adults in both hospital and community settings. She has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications and is a sought-after speaker at conferences across the country and internationally. Her impactful work has earned her numerous honors, including the American Geriatrics Society Outstanding Scientific Achievement for Clinical Investigation Award and the Gerontological Society of America’s Joseph T. Freeman Award.
Dr. Brown is an active member of several leading professional organizations, including the American Geriatrics Society, the Gerontological Society of America, the American College of Physicians, and the Association of Professors of Medicine. Across all aspects of her career, she remains dedicated to lifelong learning, mentorship, and advancing healthcare outcomes for older adults.
Reflecting on her career, Dr. Brown shares, “I love the people, and I love being able to come to work every day and make a difference for the people that I work with and the people that I work for, which is the patients. What I find most rewarding about geriatric medicine specifically is working with older adults because they’re complex. It’s not just one problem, it’s usually a whole bunch of problems, and I find that intellectually stimulating. The population I connected with during my time as a physical therapist was older adults, and that connection has continued throughout my medical career.”
Through her leadership, scholarship, and unwavering dedication to patient care, Dr. Cynthia J. Brown continues to shape the future of academic medicine while improving the lives of older adults and the clinicians who serve them.
Learn more about Dr. Cynthia J. Brown:
Through her America’s Best in Medicine profile, https://americasbestinmedicine.com/connect/cynthia-brown or through her profile on LSU Health New Orleans, https://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/DOM/faculty-pages/brown_cynthia.aspx
America’s Best in Medicine
America’s Best in Medicine is a specialist online platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of leading healthcare professionals across the United States. They bring together top healthcare providers from all specialties and cities to share expert-driven articles, research, commentary, and clinical insight. Their core purposes are to showcase excellence in healthcare, build trust between providers and the public, and ensure that expert voices are elevated and heard in shaping medicine. Through their platform, users can access a community of leaders, opportunities for providers to share expertise, and trusted guidance for patients and peers alike.
