“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

This colloquial saying could have been written about Dr. Sandra Brown, who talks as passionately about obstetrics and gynecology today as she did more than 40 years ago when she graduated medical school. “This is not just a job, it’s who I am,” she said about a career spent caring for women. “This is my calling.”

A lifelong Hoosier, Dr. Brown keenly recognizes the obstacles that can stand in a woman’s way of receiving preventative care, including routine pap smears and mammograms. “Women usually being the caregivers in many family situations, they are often so busy caring for other people – children and maybe elderly parents – that they are more likely to neglect themselves.”

At the same time, however, Dr. Brown advocates for women to take care of themselves so they are healthy enough to care for others. “Everyone has challenges in their lives that affect what we do. But I tell women that if they neglect themselves and something happens to them, the whole system can fall apart. Preventative care is critical to overall health. You have to take care of yourself to take care of others.”

IN HER OWN WORDS

Who is your role model? My grandmother was my role model. She started a business during the Great Depression running a farm-to-table type restaurant in her home.

What was your worst subject in school? Anything that required writing an essay. I always liked the sciences where there was one answer. I like to be to the point.

What is something many people don’t know about you? I’m pursuing an associate degree in Culinary Arts at Ivy Tech Community College.

What book is on your nightstand? “What Do You Want To Do Before You Die” by Ben Nemtin. I’ve given it to 10 different people to read it made such an impression on me. But I haven’t written a bucket list down yet.

What is your greatest hope? My personal hope is to continue what I’m doing for as long as I’m capable of doing it. And I hope my kids are happy and healthy.