Desiree Brooks, BSHA

I think, honestly, it's my drive for people. I have a love of people. I have a real passion for taking care of people. If I hadn't gone into healthcare, I was going to be a special education teacher. I just have a drive for people and to make a difference in their lives. I think that's my biggest reason as to why I get up and I show up every single day. And I think part of it is because of that drive, I want to be better, and I want to work harder. I think that's why, honestly. I think it's my drive for my patients and my want and desire to help people that's given me the push to get to where I'm at. I also wouldn't be where I'm at without Dr. Michelle Tarbox, who has been my mentor since I started at Texas Tech. She's a world-renowned dermatologist and such an advocate for patients, just like I am. Even though I don't work at Tech anymore, she's still somebody that I can call and ask questions. Being able to work with her and partner together, even on parallel sides of the industry, has been invaluable. She's encouraged me, pushed me, and guided me on this journey. I wouldn't be where I'm at without her.

The best thing, I think, was just, you know, at the end of the day, you can only do so much, and you can only effect what you can. If it's out of your control, the insurance is still denying it, and you've done everything that you can for these patients, then you've done it. You've done everything that you can, and so at some point, you just kind of have to go, I've done my job. I've done the best that I can and this isn't my fault that the patient is being denied. I'm working for the patient, the doctor's working for the patient, but sometimes we just hit these roadblocks, and so sometimes we have to realize that it's not us, and we're not the problem, and it's something out of our control that causes us to, you know, pivot, or try something different, or just be like, okay, we accept the defeat, let's try a different route of care, or something like that. But sometimes it's completely out of our control, no matter how hard we push or how hard we try. You just always have to remember that you've done your best.

Probably, like, take your time. It doesn't just happen overnight. There are still days where I go, I don't think I'm doing this right, or I don't think I'm doing a good job, you know, and sometimes you just gotta take your time, take a step back. Really think about where you've come from and where you are now, and remember, like, look at where I was, look at how far I've come. Also, you know, don't be afraid to step on some toes. It's okay. Make space for yourself, make yourself known, and it's okay if you step on some toes. Sometimes that's what needs to happen for change to occur. And finding somebody who gets you, who understands you, and who supports you is a good foundation as well. I don't think I would be where I'm at without my mentor Dr. Tarbox and her support. I just got lucky that she was not just my boss, but she's now one of my close friends and colleagues. It's just, you know, finding somebody who gets you, who understands you, and who supports you is a good foundation as well.

I think the biggest challenge and opportunity in healthcare right now is patient education. We need to ensure patients have equitable access to education, resources, specialty treatments, and support systems. A perfect example is hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS, which is a really debilitating dermatological disorder that affects a lot more people than the world thinks. A lot of the times it goes misdiagnosed. I actually have this condition, and it took me 17 years to get properly diagnosed. The lack of education surrounding it outside of the derm world causes patients to be very isolated, and the disease progresses very rapidly and intensely, causing really debilitating and damaging scarring that limits quality of life, being able to work, being around your family, because you have these draining abscesses. Our HS patients have a higher suicide rate than patients with terminal cancer because they are so isolated that their mental health is just so debilitated that they see no other options. So bringing that awareness to the community, creating support for those patients, and providing education to emergency rooms, family medicine, and OBGYN is critical. That's one of the big things that Dr. Tarbox and I are working towards right now, along with running the Lubbock Impact Clinic, which provides free dermatology care once a month for anybody over 18 without insurance.

I think family, compassion, the love of people, being kind, and being charitable are my biggest values. I really try to live by those tenets in everything I do. I want everywhere to be a safe space for any type of patient. I don't care where you come from, I don't care how you look, the way you talk, I don't care about any of those things. I'm here to take care of you. I'm here to advocate for you, and the outside world doesn't matter. I don't care about any of those other things. I care about you, your well-being, and your health. My own experience living with hidradenitis suppurativa has deepened my empathy for patients and strengthened my commitment to advocacy and education. I'm passionate about helping individuals feel seen, heard, and supported, particularly those navigating chronic health conditions. That's why I'm working so hard to establish support groups, help contribute to free dermatology clinics like the Lubbock Impact Clinic, and raise awareness about underserved patient populations.