50 years at CoxHealth: Sue Brown is retiring after a successful career in health care

In fact, Sue’s last day (July 17) marked exactly 50 years since she started her career at CoxHealth on July 17, 1975. The counselor in Psychological Services ended her career in the same hospital unit she started in (rehabilitation) as well.

A native of Kansas City, Sue graduated from Raytown South High School in 1973. From there, she attended Missouri State University. But the degree Sue earned wasn’t in health care. It was in wildlife conservation in 1977. As a college junior in 1975, she joined CoxHealth as a respiratory therapy tech.

“Wildlife conservation was just something that I loved, and I saw myself being a conservationist or a forest ranger,” Sue says. “Then I got the job in respiratory therapy. I fit the bill for what they were looking for with that degree in a biological science. They trained me on the job and I started thinking, ‘This is a good place to be.’”

After earning a credential as a registered respiratory therapist at the University of Chicago in 1978, Brown took the role of assistant director of respiratory therapy the following year at CoxHealth. Then in 1994, she earned a Master’s of Clinical Psychology from Missouri State and transitioned into psychology.

“My interest in psychology came from a desire to support people’s healing journey from a more holistic approach – to consider more deeply the emotional and mental aspects,” Sue says. “Thirty years later, I’ve worked here in a variety of different capacities.

That list includes time with cancer and diabetes patients, the nicotine dependence program with smokers and cardiovascular services.

Whether it’s helping people with their physical or mental health, Sue says she’s enjoyed a career that gave her an opportunity to give something back.

“It’s a privilege to work with people during some of their most vulnerable and challenging times who trust us to be there for them,” Sue says.

Sue’s dedication to her patients and CoxHealth has never wavered, says Tressa Moyle, Sue’s supervisor and director of mental health clinics.

“Sue has provided direct patient care, participated in projects, collaborated with other departments and supported other health care workers as we navigated a pandemic. Her impact has been significant,” Tressa says. “She’s been a constant source of wisdom, humor, encouragement and dependability within our team and we’re all better because of her.”

In retirement, Sue says she’s looking forward to growing a private practice in counseling. She also plans to spend more time in nature, a full-circle moment that started with her love of the outdoors.

“I want to have new adventures and be more contemplative,” Sue says. “That’s always been important to me, but I think at this stage in my life, I want to pursue the journey within and seize the moment. I’m not going to be here forever and I want to spend more time in that spiritual aspect.

“I remember reading something about this gentleman who was looking back on his life and he said, ‘I don’t regret the places I didn’t go in the world. I regret that I didn’t take the journey within.’ I think that’s pretty wise stuff.”

Congratulations and thank you, Sue! We’ll miss you!