NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House® New York today announced that Ruth C. Browne, SD, MPP, MPH, has been selected as president and chief executive officer of the organization. Dr. Browne joins Ronald McDonald House New York from the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, where she served as CEO since 2004. Dr. Browne was selected after an extensive search, and will assume the role on September 19, 2016.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ruth Browne as president and chief executive officer of the Ronald McDonald House New York," said Tina Lundgren, Chairman of the Board of Ronald McDonald House New York. "Dr. Browne is a proven leader with a deep background in public health services. She brings more than 20 years' experience in the non-profit sector with an impressive track record of organizational transformation and development. I am confident she will lead the House with compassion and vision, as we continue with our ongoing expansion and capital improvement campaign."

Dr. Browne will lead the organization throughout its $23.6 million capital expansion initiative within its facility at East 73rd Street, which will increase the capacity for children battling cancer and also provide more comprehensive family support services. Once completed, the facility will add 11 new rooms, for a total of 95 beds with one outdoor terrace, a wellness center and suites for immunocompromised patients. Dr. Browne's extensive background establishing and expanding support services will also prove invaluable as the organization ramps up its community outreach efforts by actively expanding its support services to local families who are ineligible to stay within the facility. These initiatives include the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the HHC Kings County Hospital Center; Hospital Outreach programs taking place in partner hospitals throughout New York City; and the Happy Wheels Coffee Cart program.

"I am honored to take on this role for the Ronald McDonald House New York," said Dr. Ruth C. Browne. "It is a privilege to lead an organization that provides a welcoming and supportive space for pediatric cancer patients and their families throughout their journey. I look forward to working in collaboration with the Ronald McDonald House New York staff and community to build on the organization's incredible history and further its mission of keeping families together and encouraging hope and healing during a most critical time."  

In addition to serving as CEO, Dr. Browne served in a number of leadership positions for the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health since 1993. Under her leadership, the organization gained national recognition as a pioneer in developing culturally competent health programs that address racial, ethnic and gender disparities in health. Dr. Browne was also a Principal Investigator and Director of the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center, a National Institute of Health (NIH)-funded Center of Excellence and a research-based partnership between the Institute, SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the Brooklyn Borough President's Office. 

Active in many organizations, Dr. Browne currently serves on the board of Interfaith Medical Center. She is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Manhattan Chapter, advancing leadership opportunities for African-American women and girls. An Associate Clinical Professor at SUNY Downstate Medical, she holds academic appointments in the Schools of Medicine, Health Related Professions and Public Health. 

Dr. Browne is the recipient of the 2013 Lewis and Jack Rudin New York Prize for Medicine and Health, the 2014 JW Differenter Innovator of Change Award, the 2015 Towsley Policymaker in Residence at the University of Michigan Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, and two Fulbright Scholar Awards. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Princeton University, a Master of Public Health and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and a Doctor of Science from Harvard University School of Public Health. 

About Ronald McDonald House New York
Ronald McDonald House New York provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families in a strong, supportive and caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems.  Ronald McDonald House New York can accommodate 84 families, and it is filled to capacity almost every night. The House's location in Manhattan, in close proximity to 16 major medical and cancer treatment centers, draws children and families from across the country and the world, as well as from the metropolitan New York City area.  Since its founding, more than 35,000 families have stayed at Ronald McDonald House New York.  For more information, visit www.rmh-newyork.org.

Media Contacts

Natalie Greaves  
Ronald McDonald House New York
212-639-0213  
NGreaves@rmh-newyork.org    

Alexandra Schrecengost
Weber Shandwick
212-445-8108
ASchrecengost@webershandwick.com

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SOURCE Ronald McDonald House New York

Related Links

http://www.rmh-newyork.org