Deborah Browning, MSN

USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital

CEO

Hometown: I grew up in the southern Indiana/Louisville, KY area but consider Charleston, South Carolina home

Education: Browning earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Spalding University, Louisville, KY , and Master of Science Degree in Nursing from University of Phoenix

Previous experience: Prior to joining Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Browning served as chief nursing officer at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. She has been responsible for women’s and/or children’s service lines at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston, SC

Who/what inspires you: The great clinical teams I work with and support each day at Children’s & Women’s Hospital

Professional accomplishments: Browning has overseen renovation and expansion efforts of the only pediatric emergency center on the Alabama Gulf Coast, among other initiatives. Plans call for the state-of-the-art space to open later this year.

Hidden talent: I am pretty funny—especially in stressful situations!

What word would you use to describe yourself? Grateful

Do you believe in luck or destiny? Both!

What is one of your long-term professional goals? Partnering with our community to optimize care of women and children. We have much to do!

Your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving—all about family without the shopping

What slang or trend makes you feel old? That we are all wearing platform shoes again…

What is your passion? Caring for patients and families to ensure the best experience possible

The last book you read: The President’s Wife

Outside of work, what do you do to relax? Spending time with my 18-month-old grandson, Grayson

What talent would you most like to have? I wish I were more artistic!

What do you consider your greatest achievement? (other than family) I hope that it is my commitment to quality, safety, and family-centered care. I am also happy with the support I have provided to establish SANE programs in several communities. SANE stands for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

What quality do you most like in people? Kindness

Best thing about your job? The amazing team I work with.

Brief Company Description: USA Health Children’s & Women Hospital, Alabama’s only free-standing inpatient facility dedicated to providing care to children and women, provides the most comprehensive services for children and women in the region. Home to the region’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and high-risk obstetrics program, and has the region’s only pediatric emergency department staffed 24 hours a day, every day, by trained physicians in pediatric emergency medicine.