A Beacon of Hope in Pain Management

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By Gareth Patterson

Roots of Resilience and Service

From the plains of the single-stoplight town of Paducah to the halls of Johns Hopkins Medical School, the story of Meredith Brooks, M.D., MPH, is one marked by resilience, compassion, and a commitment to serve. Now, as a pain management physician at Cook Children's, her unique and holistic approach to medicine ensures that patients are seen and cared for as individuals and not merely statistics.

Born to military parents and rooted in the proud traditions of West Texas, Dr. Brooks, a self-described “military brat,” learned early on the importance of community and the power of service.

Reflecting on her early-life experiences that guided her path into medicine, Dr. Brooks shares, “My grandmother had a heart attack. And I remember asking, 'Why couldn't they save her?' My mother told me that the nearest hospital was about 30 to 40 miles away, and they couldn't get to her in time.” This pivotal moment was not just a tragedy but a turning point for Dr. Brooks. It was then she resolved about access to care, “I'm going to fix that. I want to fix that.”

Navigating Identity and Overcoming Adversity

When it came time to choose a college, Dr. Brooks knew she wanted to attend a Historically Black college and university (HBCU). It was a conscious step toward self-discovery and empowerment.

“I had always been the only African American in all of my classes. I wanted to have that experience of what it would feel like being surrounded by people who look like you,” she explains.

At Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Brooks embarked on a journey of learning that “I am who I am, and I don't have to apologize for who I am.” Her time at Prairie View was not just an educational experience but an extraordinary achievement: “I was extremely blessed to be chosen as the first student from Prairie View A&M University to attend Johns Hopkins Medical School.”

Dr. Brooks’ arrival at Johns Hopkins was a moment for both triumph and introspection.

A moment that comforted her during her early days at Hopkins was when she attended a Student National Medical Association event welcoming students of color. At this event, she hesitantly introduced herself to the host, Dr. Ben Carson, assuming her alma mater would be obscure to such an esteemed figure.

To her surprise, after her introduction, Dr. Carson announced to all attending, “We just had our first student who will be a doctor arrive from Prairie View A&M University.” His words echoed with recognition and validation, as he continued, “And let me tell you, young lady, I know exactly where Prairie View A&M University is, and never apologize for where you came from.”

Dr. Brooks recalled this moment was where a sense of belonging and acknowledgment washed over her, ingraining the empowering message to always stand tall with pride for her roots and identity.

A Unique Perspective on Patient-Centered Care

Dr. Brooks' patient-centered care is not just a practice; it's a philosophy that impacts every aspect of her clinic's operation.

“The entire Neurosciences department dedicates itself to this patient-centered philosophy, displayed in their unified focus on patient satisfaction, quality, and care, ensuring every patient has an excellent experience,” she said.

Dr. Brooks' exceptional patient care has garnered recognition from her colleagues in the department. M. Scott Perry, M.D., head of Neurosciences at the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health at Cook Children’s, highlights her invaluable contributions. He said, “Dr. Brooks is the consummate example of what it means to be a physician at Cook Children’s. She practices medicine with a focus on the patient, always seeking the best outcomes for each patient as an individual, through diligent, collaborative, and multifaceted approaches to care.”

A Clinician and A Collaborator

This approach distinguishes Dr. Brooks and has earned her clinic national recognition.

Collaborating closely with Artee Gandhi, M.D., Medical Director of Pain Management at Cook Children’s, the two are pioneering advances in pediatric pain management, offering hope and healing to children and families grappling with chronic pain.

“Working with Dr. Brooks for the past several years has not only made our pain management program stronger but made all those who work with her more passionate about the families we care for," said Dr. Gandhi. “Each member of the pain management team offers a unique perspective to patient care and contributes valuable therapeutic strategies. We recognize that pain management is about partnering with our patients and families to create a plan that works best for them.”

Recalling her journey to Pain Management, Dr. Brooks remembers as a young girl her aspirations to address health disparities geographically. “Pediatric pain is no different. With very few pediatric pain centers in the United States, we're likely providing services at less than 1% of their capacity. This extends not only to Texas, where we're the sole provider of a fully integrated multidisciplinary program, but to the entire nation,” she said.

Dr. Brooks emphasized, "We feel we have a calling not only to improve pediatric pain in the Texas region but also globally. We conduct research, publish our findings, and present at national and international conferences to enhance pediatric pain management worldwide and assist as many individuals as possible.”

From Patient to Healer: The Golden Rule of Patient Care

A firsthand understanding of pain and healing informs Dr. Brooks’ interactions with patients. As a child, she experienced abdominal and chest pains, and she watched her mother's fight against fibromyalgia. Then, as a medical student, Dr. Brooks was diagnosed with parotid cell carcinoma.  

The experiences that shaped Dr. Brooks’ patient care philosophy didn’t stop there. 

“I came back to Texas to take care of my mother as she was fighting breast cancer and, four months after I got here, my mother passed away,” she said, with a pause.  “Three years later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was working here at Cook Children's and went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and continued to work the entire time.” 

Dr. Brooks’ strength during this period was nothing short of inspirational. "It was only a miracle that I got through to the other side, and everybody here was supportive," she said.

Dr. Brooks reflects with hope for those on a similar journey. 

“Never give up. You might not know how to do something, or how to get somewhere...but continue to have faith, have hope, and ask for help,” she said. “Bad things are going to happen. Chaos is going to come. But it's what you do in the midst of those circumstances that’s important.”

It's this gratitude that fuels her passion every day. 

“I feel very thankful every day that I wake up and I'm able to come in and do the work that I do,” she says. “I knew that I needed to treat everybody the way that I wanted to be treated and never reduce patients to numbers or financial figures, but to care for everyone as unique individuals.”

Today, in the halls of Cook Children's, Dr. Brooks’ journey comes full circle. From her years discovering her identity at an HBCU, to empathizing with patients' experiences firsthand, to her groundbreaking efforts in pediatric pain management, she epitomizes empathy, determination, and unwavering faith. Guiding her patients through their individual paths to healing, Dr. Brooks stands as a beacon of hope, urging us to remain steady and confident, even amid life's greatest challenges.