2024 Above and Beyond List Honors RMH-NY’s Dr. Ruth Browne

From native Manhattanites to Midwestern transplants, lifelong upstaters to immigrants hailing from the Dominican Republic to the Philippines, they all share one common thread: a fervent dedication to enhancing the fabric of New York.

These remarkable women serve as beacons of inspiration for the next generation across various fields, be it politics, non-profit leadership, law, or cultural influence. Whether navigating traditionally female-dominated professions like nursing or venturing into less conventional sectors such as trucking, they are shattering glass ceilings in the boardroom and achieving numerous historic milestones. Among this esteemed cohort stands Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, the first South Asian woman elected to state office in New York, and the sole elected official to grace this year’s list of honorees.

City & State proudly presents, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House New York Dr. Ruth C. Browne as one of the transformative trailblazers of this year’s Above & Beyond: Women, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of New York.

A scholar specializing in social determinants of health, Dr. Ruth Browne stands as a testament to the significant impact of social factors on the lives of empowered and influential women.

As the CEO of Ronald McDonald House New York and a public health researcher at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 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. Browne’s mother directed a community development corporation in Brooklyn, the very neighborhood where Browne was raised.

“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. 

Read more about Dr. Browne’s philosophy regarding health equity and how that has manifest itself in her pioneering growth initiatives at Ronald McDonald House New York.