Oral History Interview with Merrilee
Brown, 2018
Tue, 3/9 5:01PM
42:42
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
augsburg, nurse, commons, student, people, health, opportunity, dnp, talk, nursing, guests,
homelessness, years, orthopedics, space, person, care, teaching, bev, dnp program
SPEAKERS
Merrilee Brown,... Show more
Oral History Interview with Merrilee
Brown, 2018
Tue, 3/9 5:01PM
42:42
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
augsburg, nurse, commons, student, people, health, opportunity, dnp, talk, nursing, guests,
homelessness, years, orthopedics, space, person, care, teaching, bev, dnp program
SPEAKERS
Merrilee Brown, Kathleen Clark
Kathleen Clark 00:00
All right. Well thank you for joining us today for another edition of the oral history project.
We are in the health Commons and the nursing department. My name is Katie Clark. I'm
the director of the Health Commons at Central and an assistant professor. Could you
please introduce yourself for the recording?
M
Merrilee Brown 00:21
My name is Merrilee Brown.
Kathleen Clark 00:23
Great. Thank you for joining me today. Before I begin, I just want to confirm that you have
consented to being interviewed, and that interview recording will be stored at Augsburg
University, which will be made available to the public.
M
Merrilee Brown 00:37
Yes. Great.
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
1 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Kathleen Clark 00:39
So can you tell me a little bit about your current role or what are what have your
experiences been with Augsburg?
M
Merrilee Brown 00:49
Um, I have been a student at Augsburg both in the undergrad program and in the DNP
program. And I'm currently adjunct faculty. And I taught 10 for them.
Kathleen Clark 01:08
Great. So can you tell me a little bit about where you were born and who you called
family?
M
Merrilee Brown 01:17
I was born in Columbus, Ohio. And family for me was my mom, my dad, my brother,
probably my grandma and grandpa on my mother's side, although that goes way back to
early childhood. And on my father's side, after my grandma died, my grandpa remarried a
second time and I became very close to his second wife. She was a nurse. And I think that
may have been part of the beginnings to my wanting to become a nurse. She was a
nursing supervisor at mom's midway hospital, I think, way back in the day.
Kathleen Clark 02:13
So you mentioned that part of your educational background to become a nurse was at
Augsburg, but can you tell me a little bit more in depth about your pathway to become a
nurse?
M
Merrilee Brown 02:23
Sure.I had polio when I was four years old. And at that time, they didn't know for sure what
I had. So I was taken to the University of Minnesota, we had just moved to Minneapolis
from Cincinnati, Ohio. And which was probably a great place to be in the United States, if
you were going to have polio, because I probably spent about five years in and out of
Sister Kenny, I had correct several corrective surgeries. And then, my rehab was that Sister
Kenny, and my mother said to me, that I always had said I was going to be a nurse, she
said, from the time I was four years old, I said I was going to be a nurse. Well, interestingly
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
2 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
enough, I was four at the time that I had polio. So there may have been some connection
there. And what I remember from that period of time was that the nurses did not feel sorry
for me, there were times that I didn't want to get out of bed, or I didn't want to go to
physical therapy. But they pretty much insisted that I was going to get out of bed, and
that I could do my physical therapy and learn to walk again. And so I think in the
beginning of all of that, I was resentful, but of course, when you look back over your life,
you see that, you know, they were really the angels in the beginning of my life that just
kind of spurred me on. And then when I went into nursing school, I started working as a
nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, which is interestingly enough across the street from Augsburg
or was at that point in time. And I worked in orthopedics, and that was because the
orthopedic surgeon that I had back in the day said you need to be a nurse and you need
to work in orthopedics and so there I was, and then I was the head nurse on the
orthopaedic floor, and I had two assistant head nurses, and there was one assistant head
nurse that I just loved the way she thought she would always step back from a situation,
and just kind of process what was going on. And I just like the way she thought she was a
graduate of Augsburg. And so this was like 1985. And there was some type of early
legislation talking about the minimum level of entry for an RN was going to be the
baccalaureate degree. And they were going to try to pass that by 1990. And so I thought,
okay, no one's going to tell me that I have to go back to school. So I'm going to go back
to school now before that happens, and get my four year degree. So I think that was those
were the pieces that lead me to Augsburg the first time.
Kathleen Clark 05:44
Wow. Wow. Okay. So then you're in orthopedics, you got your BSN. And then what's next?
M
Merrilee Brown 05:52
Well, I worked at St. Mary's, for 17 years. And then I was actually recruited away and went
to HCMC. And I was the manager on the orthopedic unit at Hennepin and I worked there
for another 10 years. And then during that time, I was thinking, I think I'm ready to go back
to school again. And at that point, I don't think Augsburg had their master's program their
leadership program up and running yet, but I was ready to go back to school. And so then
I decided that I would go to St. Mary's University, and I would get my degree in Health and
Human Services, Human Services Administration. So I started there. And then,
interestingly enough, public health director position opened in Scott County, which is
where I, where I lived. And I thought, Oh, this is interesting. I don't know anything about
my own backyard, because I drove downtown Minneapolis for 26 years. And thought I
would apply for the position now mind you, I loved my position in orthopedics. And
obviously, that was what I had known forever, and applied for the position and was
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
3 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
offered the position and then went to my boss and said, Now what do I do, because I love
being here. But this is just really kind of a whole new opportunity for me. And so I left
Hennepin and started in public health in Scott County. And so I worked there for the next
18 years. And then probably it was just a few years before I was getting ready to retire. I
was thinking, Okay, I think I need to go back to school one more time. And so, obviously,
the only place to look at for me at that point was Augsburg. And so the DNP and
transcultural nursing leadership really seemed to interest me it seemed like it was just like
going home. And so I was accepted into the DNP program. And I do have to say that
having my Master's in Health and Human Services Administration and working in public
health was like a really wonderful fit. So I think that was where I was where I was supposed
to be, obviously, because that all worked out. That all just worked out really well. I loved
working for the county. That was pretty, pretty interesting working in local government.
But I had worked in both a private hospital and a public hospital. So I knew someone
about the policies and politics that go along with government. But while I was in the DNP
program, I became very interested in learning more about the health Commons, and still
have the opportunity to work in the health comments while I was a student. And when I
finished my DNP I was just getting ready to retire. And at that point in time, I was asked if I
would be interested in maybe co teaching a course, which was the community health
course in the BSN program for 10. And for lepen. Oh, that's a really long answer.
Kathleen Clark 09:42
No, that's a perfect answer. So circling back when you were in your BSN was the health
Commons established.
M
Merrilee Brown 09:50
It was not established. In fact, we never talked even about the health commons and I
think I graduated why no, I graduated in 1980. denied. But I don't think it had been talked
about at that point in time. But I will have to say that nurses need to have mentors. And I
actually had two mentors because I was such a piece of work. And Bev Nelson, and Pam
Wisse, were both my mentors, Pam taught for 410-411, or whatever was called back then.
And Bob was the chair of the department. And so they were mentors for me for probably
the next 20 years. So it hadn't it hadn't been started, but because I had, that was, you
know, I mean, it was it was a professional, but it was also a personal relationship. It
became more a personal relationship over the years. But Bev would talk about the nursing
center. And I would go I had gone down with her a couple of times to the nursing center.
And I would have to say that in 2003, in Scott County, we had an opportunity, there was a
budget shortfall that year, and a number of stakeholders involved in health care got
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
4 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
together to talk about how this is going to impact the community of Scott County. And I
remember talking about the fact that Augsburg had a nursing center. And maybe we
could replicate that nursing center out here in Scott County. And so in 2003, we did that.
And that's called the river valley nursing center.
Kathleen Clark 11:42
And that eventually turned into your DNP project. Correct.
M
Merrilee Brown 11:46
It was part of the DNP project.
Kathleen Clark 11:48
Wow. Yeah, that is really awesome. So did wouldn't Bev would tell you about the health
commons. Did she talk much about why she wanted to start it or any of her thoughts
behind that at all?
M
Merrilee Brown 12:07
Well, I think she had, you know, I think she had a real love for the was of the least of us.
And I think she was a member of Central Lutheran Church. And I think she had been
involved in their clothing closet and saw over time, the need to expand that concept. And,
and at that time, was there much of a transcultural emphasis, or do you know much about
Kathleen Clark 12:40
Did you ever talk about when that emphasis really came about?
M
Merrilee Brown 12:44
Not that I recall.
Kathleen Clark 12:50
And, yeah, so I'm always interested to learn a little bit more about that, since our program
is so unique as far as the transcultural emphasis, but, you know, that's okay. So as far as
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
5 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
your work at the health commons so you began working with health comments as a
student? What did it look like at that time? And who, who was all there as far as faculty
members?
M
Merrilee Brown 13:19
when I, when I started volunteering there, Katie Clark was overseeing the health
Commons and Katherine Baumgartner. Were the two faculty that were there in June
Sand, long term, volunteer, amazing woman also. We the people that I was working with,
Kathleen Clark 13:48
and What do you remember about the space at that time?
M
Merrilee Brown 13:52
It was downstairs at Central Lutheran Church, it was right next to the clothing closet. And
also across from the, I think the job there was an area for job opportunities. So with the
three departments were all kind of downstairs. And this space was just kind of one large
space that had at one end supplies and people just wanted to get some personal care
items or come in for some coffee and sit around the table and visit and in the back
portion. There were comfortable chairs and an opportunity to have your feet washed or a
little bit of privacy if you wanted to talk with a nurse and ask some questions or get some
advice or just needed some one on one time.
Kathleen Clark 14:50
So in your opinion, in that space, or I know we're in the trailer this year. Hold on real quick.
It didn't work. Now it's working. Let me restart. Okay, so in your opinion, how do you think
as nurses, we can create a welcoming space at the health commons.
M
Merrilee Brown 15:12
I think the first thing that our guests see is someone that has a smiling face, and honestly
appears welcoming, and genuine in how they look at someone being able to
communicate in a way that helps them in finding what it is they might be here for, or
maybe just explaining what the comments is about. For them, maybe it's the first time
that they've been there, maybe you maybe you've never seen them before. Just letting
them know that it's okay to just come on in that it's, it's a safe place. And maybe one of
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
6 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
the first things is to offer coffee, I guess that's kind of what we do. That's kind of our
culture, although that's universal in many cultures. So I think just offering that and an
opportunity to maybe sit down or some of the first things that we can do when they come
in.
Kathleen Clark 16:18
So how do you begin to develop relationships with people in this space?
M
Merrilee Brown 16:24
Well, I think you have to realize that, you know, these folks are these guests of ours are
certainly in transitional times. And this may be the only opportunity that we ever have to
connect with them. So I think each experience is unique unto itself. But I do think
developing trusting relationships and having an opportunity to have a guest talk about
some of their concerns, or some of the trauma that they've been through, I think takes
time that happens over time, I think they need to see the same person or at least a very
welcoming, open person. That isn't there necessarily to ask more questions, but maybe
just to clarify, or just affirm what they're saying, or just maybe stop talking, and just listen,
and let them tell their story.
Kathleen Clark 17:29
Well, and you mentioned affirming, and I and I feel like affirming is a big piece that people
often don't get when they're living a life on the streets. So what are some skills or some
thoughts that you have when somebody is telling their story, as part as part of pulling
those strings out when you're having a conversation?
M
Merrilee Brown 17:50
Well, I think we have to remember that our guests are extremely resilient. Many have been
in this lifestyle for a long period of time. And we maybe don't understand that. We can't
appreciate why they want to work like that. But that's not our, that's not our job, our job is
to just show them that they're welcome in this space, and it's a safe space. And I think we
just affirm or listen quietly, to the stories that they want to tell us or what it is they want to
share without making comments or saying, seeing things like you should or you know, it
would be different. But just accepting people kind of where they are right now. Like I say,
you know, this is quite a journey for them. And this may be the only opportunity that you
have to see them as this one time. And just make that time right now meaningful for both
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
7 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
of you. Because if you can look past, the differences are much more alike than we are
different than these are our brothers and our sisters.
Kathleen Clark 19:12
Beautiful. So what does accompany mean people mean to you?
M
Merrilee Brown 19:19
I think accompany people means to just accept them right now at this very moment where
they are smelly, stinky, swearing, intoxicated, high. They may lack any kind of social skills.
But we don't know what their life has been like. And we don't know where they came from
five minutes ago and we have no idea What the journeys been like for them to just get
here? Because I think that takes a lot of courage for them to just come through the door.
And so I think it's just too Welcome to smile. Maybe, maybe they need a hug, maybe
nobody has touched them. But that to you need to kind of feel out to be sure that that's
okay. Because not everybody finds touch does welcome in. So you need to be careful
about that or, or ask for a new, you might make mistakes in your conversation and you
apologize for that. And you just say I'm just I'm just trying to learn. And I think if you're
genuine about that, I think people can see that we just want to walk beside.
Kathleen Clark 20:48
So when you are meeting with visitors at the health commons, what are the typical health
concerns of people really come in with?
M
Merrilee Brown 20:58
I think their health concerns revolve a lot around skin conditions. People usually have
some kind of a cough. Or oftentimes they'll come in because they know they have high
blood pressure, and they're coming in to have their blood pressure checked. Maybe
they're having some difficulty with a medication they're taking, maybe they're not sure if
they need to be seen in a doctor's office. They know that if they come to the health
commons, that there will be a nurse there that can talk to person advice. Sometimes they
just have some general concerns. And they just they just want to talk to someone that's
knowledgeable, someone that's safe, someone that isn't going to talk down to them.
Some of them maybe we'll even ask them, What have you been doing? Because that may
be something better than anything we can offer. And I think we need to be open to the
knowledge that they come with him to the health commons, and we need to be sure and
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
8 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
include that and whatever type of plan or discussion we have with them.
Kathleen Clark 22:24
So you have mentioned so many remarkable things. One thing that I am wondering about
is your perspective as both being a student and now facilitating and teaching students
when you're in this space. So what is what role have students really played in being at the
health commons? And what would it kind of look like for a student when they come in?
M
Merrilee Brown 22:51
Well, you know, you've seen one student, you've seen one student, they all come with a
different kinds of skill set. There are some students that come into the health commons
that have actually been homeless themselves, or have experienced other trauma related
to homelessness. And there are other students that are somewhat has attempted, even
sometimes fearful, because they've never even seen a homeless person. So they're not
really sure what to expect. They have some ideas of what that would look like. So I think
you as you know, as a faculty person, I think you need to spend some time with the
students when they first arrived to see what their history or experiences so that you will
get a better understanding of where they're coming from. And then I think it's really
important to show every single student, the model of the health commons, because I think
that's really important. So many of these students are coming from a two year program,
where they have learned to be experts in clinical skills, and hundreds they understand the
medical model, and you know, how to implement standard physician orders. And so this is
this is a whole different way of caring, because the first thing you need to kind of talk to
them about is, this is a whole different model of practice. And maybe for most They only
know the medical model, and they need to understand that maybe not everybody wants
to be fixed. And, you know, we think we can look at one person and say exactly what they
need to have done. And so I think we need to be sure that we talk to them about including
someone's strengths and try to see what When the students meet with some of our guests
that they can kind of draw out the strengths that these people bring with them. And then
afterwards, I think it's really important to have a debriefing session to talk about, what did
you experience? What was that? Like? How was that different than what you thought
coming in? Because you literally can see a transformation of this student in a two hour
period of time, one session of help.
Kathleen Clark 25:32
And so, is that a reflection that they verbally provide? Or how would you? What can you
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,Page
2018
9 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
provide a story maybe of what an example of a student having kind of like a
transformational experience at all?
M
Merrilee Brown 25:46
Yes, I had one student that had never worked with a homeless person before. And she, I
asked her if she would be comfortable being in the back. And helping someone with foot
care. Because I knew she had never done that before. And she was very nervous about
that, because she was afraid that someone's feet were going to be absolutely something
she had never seen before. And that actually happened. So the person that I paired her
with has horrible, horrible feet. And I didn't really do it on purpose. But he was the first one
in and she was back there. And it just kind of happened. And probably that was like a
guide moment, I really think it was a good moment. But she ended up spending the entire
two hours with this guest. And by the time she left that day, she had tears in her eyes,
because she had felt so grateful to have the experience with this person that just had
horrible, horrible feet. But what she took away from this one time that the health
comments was not this man with horrible feet. But what a lovely man, this person was.
And that's what she will remember. And she actually did write about it in her journal.
Kathleen Clark 27:16
So as far as when you're at the health commons, what are some stories or challenges
people talk about as far as accessing care or, or accessing health care?
M
Merrilee Brown 27:29
You're referring to guests?
Kathleen Clark 27:30
Yeah.
M
Merrilee Brown 27:36
Well, it seems like if they actually need to access health care, whenever you talk about
HCMC, they all know where HCMC is, they have all used HCMC. And I feel that, you know,
that is their healthcare home, so to speak. So they know that they know how they know
how to find care, many of them do have access to other clinics, and are seen in clinics, I
think probably one of the biggest challenges might be folks with mental illness. I think
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,
Page
2018
10 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
many of these folks have not had an actual diagnosis, have not had the care that they
need for their mental illness. And therefore, you know, a lot of the behaviors and so forth
go unchecked, in you know, that ends up getting them in trouble and then getting them,
you know, into the, you know, the law enforcement system, because they end up getting
put in jail because they're acting out. And it's just, it's just such an inappropriate use of the
jail system. And I guess, I think another thing is, you know, I think people really take pretty
good care of their feet, think they know that they need to do that. But sometimes, there's
people that need to have their feet looked after more frequently than once a week or
even twice a week that they need a little more care than that. And I think it's hard to find
that on going. I know, Opportunity Center offers footcare on Wednesdays, but I just I think
that's probably really difficult. And so it's interesting to think about people's feet, and how
the health come in started in the very beginning. You know, it started with the pair of
socks. And it's interesting to see what 25 years ago that now, you know, we're still we're
still counting socks, we still see that it's like it's really important. I think transportation is
another concern they have, if they have access to get to a doctor, then they need to be
able to have vouchers to be able to take the public transportation. And I'm not sure how
easy that is for people.
Kathleen Clark 30:24
Well, I think you're telling me so many great things about why you like being at the health
commond, but in your words, what is your favorite part about being part of this
community? And can you share a story or you don't have to share a story either.
M
Merrilee Brown 30:43
Oh, I just, I love to be able to have conversations with all of the guests that come in to the
health commons. They're all so appreciative, it seems like there's, there's so little that
we're able to do. And I think about so little or able to do from probably physically a
physical health standpoint. And yet, I think what we do from an emotional and spiritual
standpoint, is amazing. So what we lack for in, you know, physical health opportunities we
totally make up for in on an emotional and a spiritual level.
Kathleen Clark 31:32
So, what is something that we at the health commons could improve on?
M
Merrilee Brown 31:45
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,
Page
2018
11 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I think we're open and we're accompanying. I think what we do we do well, it's, it's hard to
say right now, because we're in such a confined space. And I don't know what the space is
going to look like. Nor do I know, the availability of hours that we'll have. So you know, I
guess it would be that you know, that we're accessible when people need us.
Kathleen Clark 32:21
So, as far as nurses in the community at large, what do you think that they should know
about when taking care of people who may be experiencing homelessness or who are
marginally housed?
M
Merrilee Brown 32:32
repeat that.
Kathleen Clark 32:34
So if you had any advice to nurses, not just students, but nurses practicing, we're taking
care of our homeless or marginally als individual? What would you like to tell that nurse?
M
Merrilee Brown 32:49
I would like to tell that nurse that look at this person, as someone from a strength based
perspective and resiliency, and learn from this person, how they are living the life they are,
are choosing or not choosing right now. And learn from this particular person, you have so
much to learn.
Kathleen Clark 33:26
So, as far as your teaching at the university, do you have a story or something that you
would like to share about? Why do you love teaching or a very memorable experience
you had while you were teaching?
M
Merrilee Brown 33:43
I love teaching every semester. And part of that is because of where some of the students
come from when they arrive. 410/411 many totally lack knowledge for first of all awareness
and knowledge of the homeless population. And the opportunities that are given to them
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,
Page
2018
12 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
throughout this semester. And how they transform during the semester is absolutely
amazing what they write in their journals, what they write in their line assignments. It's
absolutely amazing. They come out at a whole different place when they finished this
particular course. And I think part of it is the course and the opportunity to work with the
homeless because I think they're just a special cultural group. But I have to say that I think
it's also Augsburg. I think when I started in at Augsburg if someone would have said to me
you're going to be different. When you come out boksburg inflatable, what does what
does that mean? I have no idea what that means. But when you leave Augsburg, you are
different. And I think that has to do with the opportunities that we have while we're here
to increase our awareness and our opportunities to look at learn from and become
involved in social justice. And again, you know, what you do unto the least of these? You
do one to me. That is, I think that's what Augsburg is about.
Kathleen Clark 35:44
So just as we're sitting here, talking and listening to how much passion you have, and how
much you advocate and being that you're retired, but not really, you really decided to
come teach. How, where does that passion come from? And how do you keep yourself
grounded in the work instead of getting burned out or oversimplifying it.
M
Merrilee Brown 36:09
I love being a nurse. And I'm going on 46 years of being a nurse, 43, full time. And I've had
I've had a wonderful ride as a nurse, and I've had wonderful opportunities all these years
to learn from the patients, the clients, my co workers, staff. I've just, I've been blessed, and
I've had just a wonderful opportunity to be able to, to give back. I think nursing is just the
best career, there's so many opportunities within nursing. I know that we need to take care
of ourselves, I know that we need to provide self care. And I've done a much better job
have that later on in my career than I did earlier in my career. Because I was working full
time I was going to school, I was having my babies, and I just kept doing that over and
over again. And that was that was kind of kind of crazy. People would ask me, How did
you do that? And I said, I don't know. You don't think about it, you just kind of do it. So I'm
much better now about self care. And we talk about that. And for 10 for love. The the
nurses, I think, for me, the nurses right now in school are where I was, because I was doing
this at the same time. And it's not. It's not easy. But I think it just I think the nurses that I've
worked with are just really caring souls. And I think that's where it comes from, is this
passion and compassion, to care about others. And when all is said and done in this life.
The only thing that's going to matter are relationships.
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,
Page
2018
13 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Kathleen Clark 38:26
Well, I just have two more questions for you. One is I know that Bev Nillson is not able to
be a good historian at this time. Is there anything that you think that she would want
people to know about either her beliefs, health commons, or the department in general?
M
Merrilee Brown 38:50
She loved what she did here. I remember being in her office. And she would write all over
my papers in red. She always used a red pen. And I would sit in her office and I would cry.
And I would just think why does this have to be so hard? And she would just smile and just
kind of look at me like, you know, you're, you're gonna be okay. You're gonna be alright.
And it's funny because I do that now with some of the students when they're just, I don't I
just don't get this trauma informed care. I don't understand the harm reduction model. I
don't know why somebody would want to live on the street. You know, I just don't get it.
And I like smile and just say, you'll get it. You'll get it. It's, it's coming. It's coming. So I think,
you know, Bev did what she did. Because that was what her heart told her to do.
Kathleen Clark 39:59
is regarding To the health Commons, thinking about it and 20 years from now, what do
you think that it should look like?
M
Merrilee Brown 40:08
Yeah, I saw that question. And I went, No, I don't. I don't know, in 20 years from now, I, you
know, there's this statewide initiative to end homelessness. Yes, for the first time, we're
starting to see a decrease in homelessness except for our youth, and that is increasing.
Our, our society hasn't become a gentler society, we are becoming more of a separate
society, we are not interconnected. And until we get more connected to each other, I don't
see the homelessness going away. I don't know if I ever see the homelessness going away.
I don't, I don't know what it's going to take, I don't know in 20 years, what it'll look like
what the needs will be. Maybe there still will be homeless. Maybe it becomes a model for
just being a safe place for people to go to. or a model, a model for others, a model of
caring, or a model of accompanying for others, whether homeless or not. But it's a place
where everyone can feel welcome or as welcome as they do now. That's pretty lofty.
Kathleen Clark 41:49
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,
Page
2018
14 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Well, that's all the questions I have for you. But is there anything that you would like to
add or share before we end the interview?
M
Merrilee Brown 42:02
I love Augsburg. I love the Health Commons. Love all the faculty that I have the
opportunity to work with. It's all I can say.
Kathleen Clark 42:18
Wonderful. Thank you so much for taking the time to be part of this. And also I didn't
mention at the beginning of the recording, but we are recording this in our trailer space.
So there's been a few interruptions. So that's what you've heard. But yeah, so thank you.
M
Merrilee Brown 42:36
You're welcome. Thank you for asking me
Oral History Interview with Merrilee Brown,
Page
2018
15 of 15
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less