Brown Clarke’s Role Expands to Include Chief Health Equity Officer

Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine William A. Wertheim, MD announced that Judi Brown Clarke's role has been expanded to include new responsibilities to integrate health equity principles into research, policy and practice.

Her new title, chief health equity officer & vice president and chief diversity officer, reflects this broadened scope of work and a continued dedication to fostering equity and inclusion across Stony Brook Medicine and the university.

"In this expanded role, Dr. Brown Clarke will lead transformative efforts to embed health equity principles across key initiatives, with a particular focus on the intersection of climate change and health disparities," Wertheim said in his December 20 message.

Wertheim added that Brown Clarke will champion initiatives that prioritize vulnerable populations in research and healthcare solutions, ensuring equitable access to resources and interventions, and will collaborate with campus and community partners to create strategies for recruiting and retaining diverse students, faculty and staff while advancing the institution's diversity and inclusion plan.

"This expanded role underscores Dr. Brown Clarke's exceptional leadership and the critical importance of addressing health disparities in our research and care delivery," Wertheim said. "Her vision and dedication will continue to shape our efforts to promote a more equitable and inclusive environment across all facets of our institution."

A newly created Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine Research will officially open January 20, focused on advancing research across health equity and climate medicine by fostering collaboration and innovation. A search for the director of the new office is currently underway.