Welcome Aboard - New Family Practicioner, Tyra Brown, MSN, FNP-BC

We are excited to announce that we have a new Family Nurse Practicioner on our staff! Please welcome Tyra Browne, MSN, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner. We sat down with Tyra to learn more about her experience and what inspired her to join our team.

Tell us what attracted you to practicing at Culmore Clinic.
I have always believed that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. This belief is what drew me to Culmore Clinic, as it stands as a vital resource for our underserved and underrepresented neighbors. As a Nurse Practitioner, I am passionate about practicing in an environment that actively works to dismantle the social, financial, and educational barriers that so often stand between a patient and their well-being.

Culmore Clinic's mission is to advance health by bringing the community together to provide medical care and health education at no cost to uninsured neighbors in Fairfax County? What about your past experience aligns with that mission?
My career has been a mosaic of experiences that all lead back to serving diverse populations and addressing complex health needs. My nursing journey actually began in VA hospitals, where caring for our veterans—a group that intimately understands the importance of navigating systemic barriers—taught me the necessity of holistic, patient-centered care. I have also spent time as a travel nurse across various specialties including occupational health, oncology and medical/surgical, which taught me to be adaptable and resourceful while giving me a unique perspective on the different challenges patients face in healthcare systems nationwide.

Is there anything you've experienced in your first month that has surprised you?
Service is truly in my DNA; as a member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., I live by our motto, "Service for Humanity," and I strive to bring that spirit of advocacy and compassion to every patient visit. In my first month here, what has surprised me most is the incredible sense of "togetherness". Seeing the volunteers and interdisciplinary teams in action is truly inspiring. Even with the significant hurdles our patients face, there is an overwhelming sense of hope and gratitude that makes every clinical assessment feel incredibly meaningful.

You are fairly new to Northern Virginia, tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey here.
My journey to Northern Virginia has been quite an adventure! I’ve moved through various roles—from the bedside in Pennsylvania and West Virginia to the front of the classroom as a nursing instructor—before landing here in the Ashburn and Falls Church area. When I’m not at the clinic, I’m usually busy navigating life as a wife and a mom to my son. We’ve been enjoying exploring the area and getting settled, and I am looking forward to eventually continuing my academic journey in the future. It’s been a big move, but being able to contribute to the health of this community while raising my family here feels like exactly where I’m supposed to be.