Influential Woman · Healthcare
Karen Cherry-Brown
MBA
Founder and Sterile Processing Consultant, SIPS Healthcare Solutions
Dallas, TX 75237
My sister told me, "Hold your head high, because people treat you the way that you treat yourself." It changed everything for me.
Karen Cherry-Brown · In Her Own Words
In Conversation
Karen Cherry-Brown for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Karen Cherry-Brown: Women that use their that that they're visionaries, they're visionaries, they use their voice for positive.
What does being an Influential Woman mean to you?
Karen Cherry-Brown: When I think about influential women, I think about my mom, my grandmother, and all the strong women that were in my life. They were fearless. They weren't afraid to be the first. They were unapologetic about who they were. Women that stop and look around and make sure that no one is left behind. Women that are nurturing, mentors. Women that use their that that they're visionaries, they're visionaries, they use their voice for positive. And they make an impact. The impact that they make will outlive, will outlive them. Yeah, that's what I think about when I think about influential women.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Karen Cherry-Brown: The advice that I would tell a young woman who's chasing her dream. Is to make sure you're smelling the roses along the way. Make sure that you surround yourself with positive people. Make sure that your circle. It gets broader and broader, and by that I mean every time you grow, you need to make sure that your circle continues to grow to help you get to where you need to be. Make sure that you interact with people that are trying to go where you are, are people that are where you are trying to go. Stay focused. But enjoy life like I said along the way. And dreams do come true because I'm a witness. Just don't give up.
Her Story
About Karen
Karen Cherry‑Brown is the founder of SIPS Healthcare Solutions, a nationally recognized consulting firm dedicated to advancing excellence in sterile processing, perioperative services, and healthcare operations. With more than 40 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Karen has built a distinguished career grounded in leadership, mentorship, and operational transformation.
Her professional journey began in hands‑on patient care as a nurse and dental assistant, experiences that shaped her deep respect for frontline healthcare professionals. She later transitioned into sterile processing, where she discovered her passion for improving the systems and processes that directly impact patient safety and clinical outcomes. That passion has driven a career marked by innovation, accountability, and measurable results.
Through SIPS Healthcare Solutions, Karen has spent over two decades delivering comprehensive, results‑driven services to healthcare organizations nationwide. These services include staffing support, process improvement, interim management, leadership development, and regulatory compliance training. Known for its practical and strategic approach, SIPS Healthcare Solutions helps organizations enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and strengthen team performance while elevating industry standards.
Although she has officially stepped back from daily operations, Karen remains actively engaged as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team. She continues to mentor emerging leaders, guide organizational strategy, and shape the future of healthcare operations. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership—lifting others, investing in people, and never losing sight of the critical role frontline professionals play in safe, high‑quality care.
Beyond her professional achievements, Karen is a dedicated public servant and community advocate. She serves as a City Council Member in Duncanville, Texas, where she is committed to civic engagement, community development, and service. She is also the founder of the Cherry Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting underserved families, children, and seniors through essential resources and seasonal initiatives.
Karen is one of the masterminds behind the annual Scrub Ball, a signature event that brings healthcare professionals together to celebrate excellence while raising funds for scholarships and educational opportunities. She is also a published author, with works including “CSPS Management: What Should I Do?” and “Chicken Poop to Soup.” In addition, she hosts the podcast “Prevailing Through Pain” and is featured in a documentary of the same title, currently streaming on Tubi.
Driven by a lifelong commitment to service and mentorship, Karen Cherry‑Brown is passionate about empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders. Her legacy is one of opportunity, resilience, and lasting impact—both within healthcare and the communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God, my motivation, the strong influences of my background and family—particularly my mother and grandmother—and the work ethic and values they instilled in me. My grandmother used to say, “Karen, if you accept something, you do your best. Even if you decide it’s time to leave, you leave without burning bridges and you give your best effort until the very last minute.”
Remembering those lessons has guided me throughout my career and helped shape the relationships I’ve built in the industry. Even today, those values come full circle. Recently, someone I worked with on an account more than 20 years ago needed help at her facility and reached out to my company. When I heard she’d said, “I know Karen’s retired, but I know the company is still a great company,” I flew out with my team to surprise her.
Moments like that remind me that no matter where we are, doing our best matters. Success is never achieved alone—it comes from the values we carry with us and the people who shaped us along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Show up, do your best, and never give up. The sky is the limit.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering healthcare that this is not a glamorous field. To be successful, you must have a caring heart and a genuine love for people.
Don’t sell yourself short. Relationships matter—build them carefully, and never burn bridges. Take pride in yourself and in the work you do. Don’t rush the process or try to jump from A straight to Z. Go from A to B first, and keep building from there.
Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with patience, humility, and hard work, the sky truly is the limit..
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I see in my field right now is work ethics. People seem to want instant gratification but not give 100% of themselves. I would like to see them not try to go from A to Z and just zoom into Z, but go from A to B first and work down from there. I love the courage of the young people today because they aren't afraid of anything, but they need to take their time and put in the work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, humility, responsibility, respect, fairness, and integrity. I believe strongly in setting clear boundaries, as they eliminate gray areas and help others understand what I will and will not do or tolerate. I also believe that saying “no” is not a negative thing—it is an important part of understanding and respecting your limits.
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