Caring for the Mind, Body, and Spirit: Dr. Whitaker-Brown’s Approach to Holistic Health
When Charlene Whitaker-Brown, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CHFN is not educating future nurses in the undergraduate program or inspiring graduate nursing students towards advanced practice, she is maintaining her private practice as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and fulfilling her scholarly commitments. While many might take time to rest and recuperate from such demanding responsibilities, Dr. Whitaker-Brown remains dedicated to community service, actively engaging in activities that benefit others.
Commitment to Community Service
Dr. Whitaker-Brown describes her “nurse superpowers” as community connections and engagement. This dedication was evident at a recent women’s health event in Charlotte, where she partnered with AmeriHealth Caritas of North Carolina. Her involvement extended beyond her own participation, as she facilitated an opportunity for members of UNC Charlotte’s Black Student Nurses organization to serve the community through hands-on volunteer work aboard the AmeriHealth bus.
As attendees arrived and signed in, they were welcomed with opportunities for quick massages and chiropractic sessions. Meanwhile, Black Student Nurses members Omolayo Balogun and Brelyn McDonald, alongside their faculty advisor, Dr. Teresa Cronell, provided essential health services. These included conducting blood pressure checks, distributing educational materials from the American Heart Association on maintaining healthy blood pressure, offering DASH diet information sheets, and guiding attendees on reading food labels to reduce sodium intake. Additionally, students Savannah Norris and Breyonna Brannon assisted with attendee registration, ensuring a seamless event experience.
Dr. Whitaker-Brown was a featured speaker at the event, delivering a compelling presentation titled Becoming a Healthier You: Strengthening the Mind, Body, and Soul. During here presentation, she emphasized the holistic approach to health, highlighting the interconnectedness of mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Whitaker-Brown reinforced the importance of managing stress and emotional demands, strengthening physical health for longevity, and nurturing spiritual wellness through faith and personal belief systems.
Striving towards a healthier future
In a powerful call to action, Dr. Whitaker-Brown reminded attendees that prioritizing self-care is not selfish but an essential step toward overall well-being. She emphasized that caring for oneself is a fundamental part of becoming a healthier you, particularly in addressing women’s health issues and advocating for both personal and community health.
Through collaboration, education, and service, Dr. Whitaker-Brown and the Black Student Nurses at UNC Charlotte showcased the profound impact nurses can have beyond clinical settings. Their efforts at this event not only empowered attendees with knowledge and resources but also highlighted the critical role of nurses in community health advocacy.