Influential Woman · Military, Healthcare, Medical
Lizette Autumn Brown
Hospital Corpsman, United States Navy Reserves, U.S. Navy
Sanford, FL 32773
Her Story
About Lizette
Lizette Brown is a dedicated biomedical sciences student at the University of Central Florida with a psychology minor and a strong commitment to service, leadership, and healthcare. As a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy Reserves, she brings hands-on experience in patient care, medical administration, and operational readiness, balancing her military responsibilities with her academic goals and community involvement. Her path reflects discipline, compassion, and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact in both clinical and community settings.
Through her Navy service, Lizette has gained valuable experience in clinics and field training, where she assists with vital signs, blood draws, vaccinations, patient tracking, and medical documentation. She has also taken on leadership responsibilities, including coordinating operational plans and serving as a liaison between personnel and leadership to support accountability and readiness. One of her most notable experiences came during a mass casualty training exercise, where she stepped into a leadership role and successfully managed logistics and patient tracking for more than 90 patients.
Outside of her military and academic work, Lizette is passionate about mentoring and community outreach. She serves as a mentor through the UCF Soldiers to Scholars program, supporting elementary students with reading, math, and character development, while also helping instill confidence, discipline, and kindness. She is especially interested in the intersection of mental health, psychology, and neuroscience, and hopes to build a future career in neuropsychology and behavioral health. Through every role she takes on, Lizette remains committed to learning, service, and helping others thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lizette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success 100% to my mom, Christina Harris. She made so many sacrifices for us, especially when we were living overseas and then moving here to the States as a single mom. There were a lot of sacrifices that she made to get us to where we need to be today, and I couldn't have done it without her support.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do something that matters to you and that you love, because then it'll all be worth it. All the struggles and everything that you've gone through, it'll all be worth it. If you don't do what you love, then there's no point of going through all this hardship if you know you're not going to enjoy it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up on your goals. As a woman pursuing a career in both medicine and the military, I've learned that there will always be people who doubt your abilities, especially in fields that have traditionally been male-dominated. Don't let those opinions define you.
If someone tells you that you can't do something, use it as motivation to work harder and prove to yourself what you're capable of achieving. I've heard comments like, "You're too slow," "You're not a quick learner," or "Let someone else do it." Those words could have discouraged me, but instead, they pushed me to keep growing, learning, and improving.
Success isn't about never facing obstacles—it's about refusing to let them stop you. Believe in yourself, stay determined, and never allow someone else's limitations or expectations to become your own. If I was able to overcome those challenges and prove people wrong, then other young women can do the same. Your strength, resilience, and dedication can take you farther than you ever imagined.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges I face are imposter syndrome and being in a male-dominated field. In the medical field and the degree I have, I'm surrounded by people who are way ahead and way more experienced, and being in an environment where you're just starting off and trying to figure out what you want to do is definitely intimidating. Hearing all the amazing stories that people share makes you think, wow, that's definitely not what I'm doing, but it's also very inspiring. Another challenge has been the adversity from being a military child. I lived overseas my entire life from elementary school to sixth grade, so it was a huge adjustment coming to the States and living a whole new life. There were a lot of personal struggles with trying to figure out fitting in with life and how to be independent and grow on my own. As for opportunities, there are so many financial opportunities, especially being someone in the military. There are so many opportunities that can help pay for school and for career growth. There's additional schooling I can take that will allow me to get licensure in what I want to do. For example, I want to be a behavioral health technician, and the Navy is willing to pay me to go to school to become a behavior technician. There are also scholarships I can apply for, and the Navy has a lot of health scholarships that are able to pay for my graduate school and allow me to commission as an officer.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are being about it and not talking about it, because actions speak louder than words. That's always been a family motto of mine, so use that as a reminder to live by. My faith and family are also incredibly important. I think I wouldn't have been able to go through all of these things without it. And finally, having balance in what you love to do and your professional goals is crucial as well.
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