Dr. Sharon Brangman is a geriatrician, a Distinguished Service Professor and Division Chief of Geriatrics at Upstate Medical University. She lead programs that provide medical care to older adults. She teaches health professionals and medical students about aging issues and develop research programs to help inform our medical services and care. She is a former president of the American Geriatrics Society and works on the regional and national levels to improve medical care for older adults.
"By many statistical accounts, I should not be where I am today. There were many people who were discouraging, who often asked me if I had a “Plan B” in case I wasn’t accepted into medical school. My mother always told me I could be a doctor and helped me stay focused on my goals. I learned pretty quickly to find a support system at each stage of my career. Most of my strongest supporters were other women who knew the challenges, but didn’t let anything stop them. We were women on a mission. I firmly believe that women who work together can accomplish anything. In so many of the things I do, both personally and professionally, I am still the first or the only. I am frequently the first or the only African American, and often the first or the only African American woman. I am looking forward to a time when I am no longer this type of phenomena."
"I am a wife, mother, sister, cousin, aunt, colleague, physician, and friend."