The Denyse Thornley-Brown Endowed Lecture is an annual presentation to recognize the outstanding contributions of Denyse Thornley-Brown, MD, who has spent her career working towards an inclusive and equitable environment for all in academic medicine.

Dr. Thornley-Brown serves as a Senior Scientist in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Professor-Emerita in the UAB Division of Nephrology within the Heersink School of Medicine. She graduated from Howard University College of Medicine with her medical degree in 1984. 

Dr. Thornley-Brown has worked for more than 30 years to seek solutions for patients living with chronic kidney disease, and end stage kidney disease. Her work has touched the lives of patients and families suffering from kidney diseases that impact the individual’s health and well-being of their family members. Dr. Thornley-Brown is a consistent champion of diversity, and this endowed lectureship will honor her legacy by focusing on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as challenges with health disparities faced by those with backgrounds that are underrepresented in academic medicine.