In honor of Black History Month, the Grimaldi Yeung Law Group is proud to honor one of our remarkable clients, Dr. Ruth C. Browne, CEO and President of Ronald Mc Donald House, in New York (“RMH -NY”). Ruth Browne has been a long-time client of the firm having first come to us when her father, Alfred Brown, wished to organize an estate and elder law plan for himself and his spouse and family. The family worked effectively to coordinate the care needed and to ensure that the family estate was settled as their parents wished and equitably among the children. In working on their estate planning, we came to know Dr. Ruth Browne as the extraordinary person she is, not only as a dedicated family member, but as a person dedicated to the betterment of all who she encountered. This is evident in her work as CEO and President of the Ronald McDonald house providing comfort support and education to children and families dealing with the stresses of illness. Ruth has served as the CEO and President of Ronald McDonald House-NY since 2016. Her vision was to revitalize and grow RMH-NY and her conviction has only grown over the last eight years. She states, “ I’ve now spent time in this role, especially after leading us through a global pandemic. I knew then what I still know now: We can — and will — do more for families, children, and the New York City community.”
Dr. Ruth Browne stands as a testament to the significant impact of empowered and influential women on the lives of other in their community.
As the CEO of Ronald McDonald House New York and a public health researcher at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Dr. Browne embodies a legacy of public policy leadership. Her grandmother, a trailblazer in anti-poverty initiatives alongside then-New York City Mayor John Lindsay, held the highest position within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Browne’s mother directed a community development corporation in Brooklyn, the very neighborhood where Dr. Browne was raised. Ruth still lives in Brooklyn and remains dedicated to her community on many levels serving on Non-profit boards and acting as a mentor to young health care professionals.
“I was always witness to what could be done from a community groundswell perspective,” Browne says. “I also saw the potential to excel and contribute as a female professional interested in social justice.”
Armed with a doctorate from Harvard and having served as the founding CEO of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, Dr. Browne embarked on a mission to realign the focus of Ronald McDonald House New York. Traditionally dedicated to providing hospitality to families of children undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses, Dr. Browne sought to pivot towards a model of healthcare guided by principles of equity.
Drawing upon her extensive research on health disparities, Dr. Browne implemented a series of initiatives aimed at improving outcomes. These included the establishment of respite rooms or family rooms for families and caregivers, as well as the introduction of nutrition and education programs designed to foster a semblance of normalcy amidst challenging circumstances. Furthermore, she expanded eligibility criteria and broadened the scope of programming to encompass all five boroughs, shifting away from the previous limitation of a 50-mile radius.
“I’ve come to understand the importance of public policy in providing access,” Dr. Browne says. “That’s where I’ve built my career – in how we make institutions and communities that have staying power.”
Through her tireless efforts, Browne has not only transformed Ronald McDonald House into a beacon of equitable healthcare but has also paved the way for a future where access to essential services knows no bounds. We are honored to celebrate the work of Dr. Ruth C. Browne as an exemplary health professional, a proud Brooklynite and a true advocate for New Yorkers, especially those in need.
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