An Alumna’s Advice: Never Give Up on Yourself
Published February 02, 2026
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For Brittany C. Eason, DO, MBS, a career in medicine is more than a personal achievement; it’s an opportunity to uplift her community and live by the values that her grandmother instilled in her.
Growing up in an underserved community, Brittany experienced both moments of joy and the challenges that come with limited resources. Hard work, compassion and patience were core values that she saw her grandmother teach and live by in her blended African American and Caribbean community. These core values became deeply rooted in Brittany’s identity and continue to shape her perspective and purpose as a physician.
“I think that skill of listening and being patient is something that came from my grandmother. She always taught me that you should never judge people because you don't know what that person has gone through. Seeing my grandma live by those qualities really stuck with me as I charted my own path,” Brittany shared, reflecting on her upbringing.
At the same time, Brittany witnessed how the health and well-being of her loved ones were shaped by forces beyond the healthcare system, particularly cultural stigma surrounding mental health and the weight of socioeconomic challenges.
“I have seen members of my community and, at times, my loved ones struggle with both addiction and mental health conditions, often coping through substance use while constantly seeking ways to process their life stressors,” she shares.
Brittany understood that truly improving her community’s health meant looking beyond symptoms and seeing the whole person. Her deep curiosity about people and their stories, coupled with a desire to remain close to her family in New Jersey, guided her path forward.
When she met Dean Paula Watkins at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM), everything changed. The school’s osteopathic philosophy, its commitment to serving New Jersey’s underserved communities and its support for mission-driven students made it the perfect place to grow into the physician she aspired to become.
“Being able to serve my community was the most important aspect that drew me to medicine. I made it my mission to do really well, so I could give back. As we've developed our understanding of the social determinants of health, our current health system hasn't evolved fast enough to improve health outcomes in communities like mine. Osteopathic medicine helps me deliver the care my patients need, and that I think they are looking for.” Brittany shared about why the mission of Rowan-Virtua SOM spoke to her.
As a child, Brittany always had a passion for medicine.
Despite the rigors of medical school, Brittany remained deeply committed to her school community. In addition to managing a demanding coursework load, she served as a student ambassador, participated in community initiatives throughout underserved communities in the southern New Jersey region, led osteopathic manipulative medicine demonstrations and supported her peers as a mentor through student success services.
"Rowan-Virtua SOM gave me the tools I needed to succeed, providing unwavering support through the challenges and reminding me that I truly belonged here," Brittany reflected. “Though navigating the challenges during medical school were tough at times, I know they played a pivotal role in shaping me into a stronger, more resilient version of myself.”
Brittany’s success was a constant reminder of the change she aimed to create in her community. Growing up in an underserved area, she lacked a physician role model to guide and encourage her, which inspired her to become a mentor through Black Girl, White Coat.
“I have cousins who look up to me and have been watching me on my journey. I want to empower them and other girls of color who didn’t have doctors like me to look up to. I want them to know and believe that they, too, can achieve their dreams by, most importantly, never giving up on themselves,” Brittany shared.
Brittany at her medical school graduation.
One of the most transformative experiences of Brittany’s medical education was completing her third-year rotation at her hometown hospital. "It was a full-circle moment!” she recalled. "I had the privilege of treating patients who knew me, who knew my family. They were genuinely excited to see someone from their own community who was on her way to becoming a physician."
During that year, Brittany’s vision of improving community health began to take shape as she hosted talks on gun violence, the impact of childhood trauma and volunteering with local churches to provide health screenings.
As the first physician in her family, Brittany reflected, “'It wasn’t until just a few months ago that I truly realized the significance of this achievement. It hit me like, ‘Wow, this is a really big deal.’” She added, "Generation after generation, it gets better." Brittany’s pride is evident when she speaks about her family’s journey, "My mom grew up in the housing projects and went on to become a nurse. Now, there’s a doctor in the family." For Brittany, her path to medicine is a direct reflection of the sacrifices and resilience of her family.
Brittany starting her residency program in psychiatry.
Now, as a first-year psychiatry resident, Brittany remains focused on the future. “I’ve always dreamed of opening a behavioral health clinic for kids and teens back home,” she shared. “My dad is one of the reasons I chose psychiatry. Unfortunately, I lost him during medical school, and that loss only deepened my commitment to this field, honoring him in the process.” Brittany is driven by a deep desire to break the stigma surrounding mental health within the Caribbean and African American communities, supporting others on their mental health journey.
Brittany’s family and community inspired her to envision a future where mind and body are treated as one, and Rowan-Virtua SOM equipped her with the skills to turn that vision into reality. Her achievements honor her grandmother’s values and fuel the positive change she and her community aspire to see.
Brittany Eason, DO, MBS is a psychiatry resident physician at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center and a recent graduate of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she received the 2025 Outstanding Achievement in Psychiatry Award for her compassion and commitment to community mental health. Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, is a proud first-generation physician. She earned a BA in Biology (minor in Public Health) and a MA in Biomedical Sciences from Rutgers University. Brittany has had a longstanding focus on expanding opportunities for underrepresented minorities in medicine. She is active in advocacy and service through the Brick City Rotary Club and the New Jersey Medical Association, and is especially passionate about mentoring the next generation of students pursuing careers in medicine. Her professional interests include Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Global Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, interior decorating, exploring new restaurants and spending time with family and friends.
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In a new feature story, Rowan-Virtua SOM grad Brittany Eason reflects on her path to osteopathic medicine and aspirations to destigmatize conversations about mental health for young people in her community.
Inspired by her grandmother’s compassion for others to pursue osteopathic medicine, Rowan-Virtua SOM grad Brittany Eason reflects on how she hopes to integrate compassion and medicine to bring mental healthcare to young people in her community.
