Professor Lundy Braun’s passing is a profound loss to academia and to all who strive for a just and equitable healthcare system. Professor Braun was a visionary in the fight against racial inequities in medicine, challenging the long-held assumption that biological differences justified the use of race in medical practice and research. Her groundbreaking work reminded us that race, as applied in medicine, is a social construct rather than a biological fact. Professor Braun's compelling advocacy urged medical professionals to rethink and ultimately eliminate race-based adjustments that perpetuate health disparities.
As the founder of the Race, Medicine, and Social Justice Cohort, Professor Braun brought together scholars and physicians to examine and dismantle the structures of racism embedded in healthcare. I am deeply honored to have been a part of this cohort, where we engaged in meaningful discussions and sought interventions that challenge institutional biases. Moving forward without her feels daunting, yet her legacy inspires us to continue our shared mission.
Her seminal book, Breathing Race into the Machine, traces the troubling history of racial bias in medical instrumentation, beginning with the spirometer in the antebellum South. Professor Braun highlighted how devices like these, adjusted by race, have long enforced discriminatory beliefs, falsely ascribing physiological differences to marginalized populations. This work exposes the dangers of using race as a biological variable, underscoring the imperative for researchers to address and dismantle these biases.
Professor Braun’s contributions extend beyond her research; she taught us that racism, not race, is the true determinant of health disparities. To add to the beauty she shared with the world each year, Professor Braun grew radiant amaryllis blooms for many of us, reminding us of her thoughtful spirit. In this simple act, she connected with friends and loved ones, spreading brightness and warmth. As we carry her memory forward, we commit to pursuing her vision: a healthcare system where all individuals receive care free from racial prejudice and injustice.
Taneisha Wilson, M.D., Sc.M.
Race, Medicine, and Social Justice Research Cluster Faculty Fellow
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Attending Physician, Brown University Health
Director, Clinical Research, Brown Emergency Medicine