The state of womanhood is often misunderstood, under attack, and constantly in flux as we continue claiming space and disrupting the status quo on what it means to be a woman. On the front lines of this in our community is a dedicated millennial who sees the exponential value of caring for and educating women about their health and the power taking control of it wields.
Whether speaking about the importance of having your voice heard, being authentic, or dropping healthcare nuggets on her social media platforms, Dr. Brittany Dawson, DNP, APRN, CNM, is the community’s woman whisperer. What she does to empower women is worthy of all the praise.
Brittany has worked in women’s health for the past nine years and has been building her practice as a nurse practitioner specializing in midwifery since 2018.
The goal is to cultivate a healthy space that empowers, educates, and supports all in their health and choices. Pushing people to take control of their bodies, allows them the ability to take control of their lives. It allows them to challenge and question the things people do “for” them or to them.
She deeply believes that people deserve care that centers around their desires. But to achieve that, people must be empowered and educated to advocate for themselves with their healthcare, especially women and their reproductive health. It starts with asking the right questions. “I would tell anyone to always ask about their options. If you are not presented with more than one option regarding health decisions, ask, what are my options? What is the risk for each? If I do nothing, what are my risks? Health is in the hands of the patient, and they must be armed with the best information to make the right decision for themselves.
On the front, it’s not as clear cut, especially since the healthcare industry is male-dominated, and midwifery is cis-white female-led, with less than 5% being people of color. For Brittany, it’s not just passion for her profession but also representation. After witnessing the gross mistreatment women of color received at the hands of their providers, she felt the call to become a provider herself. Determined to make a difference in as many lives as possible, she fought for equitable health care in other communities stateside; but soon returned home to fight for her community in the US Virgin Islands.
Her work and her journey are inspiring but not without challenges. Pursuing her degree was difficult, facing racism, discrimination, and hostility that damaged what should have been an exciting adventure into her career. As a professional, the challenges ensue; navigating the territory regulations and educating authorities on the scope of an APRN’s practice has been a struggle, to say the least.
She credits a strong support system in her family, friends, and God for helping her stay the course and achieve her goals. Her mentors, MD. M. Berkeley and MD. Treasure, with over 40 years of experience in growing their practices, are a blessing that keeps her grounded and focused. Her work is just beginning, and she hopes to have the space to scale and grow her practice over the next few years. Meeting the community’s needs, increasing the group to include both in and out-of-hospital birth care, and providing 360 care for those who give birth and those who don’t are goals for her practice.
But Brittany is not just all work! She goes hard for her community and plays even harder. An island girl to her bones, she enjoys a good fete, beautiful beach days, the high of Carnival, fantastic food, and can pwile her God-given waistline!
I think I am just a mix of authenticity. Perfection is a facade, simply do the best you can at the moment and release the rest. Life is a journey we have no control over. However, if you live a life of service to others, you will do the most good in your own life and will find peace.
She shows us that you can be a professional, a hot gyul, god fearing, and above all, yourself. You do not have to ask permission to be yourself, and you do not have to look to anyone for acceptance or approval.
Dr. Brittany Dawson, DNP, APRN, CNM, is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Midwifery from St. Croix, USVI. She is a 2021 graduate of Frontier Nursing University with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.
Social media: @drbrittanygrace – IG
Twitter & TikTok: @livingwithbri
Facebook @Yourmidwifebri
Email Contact: brittany.dawson001@gmail.com
It’s ‘Doctah’ Brittany, Put Some Respect On Her Name