Professor Emerita Colette V. Browne’s impactful legacy in gerontology, social work and public health at the University Archives & Manuscript Collections of Hawaiʻi at the . The papers spanning research, teaching and advocacy, underscore her commitment to the well-being of older adults and the advancement of personal and societal rights.
“The collection reflects her steadfast commitment to gerontology through her prodigious focus on improving lives through practice, policy and research which inspired a generation of social workers to reach for a vision of social justice and health equity for our global community,” said 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 Library Archivist Helen Wong Smith.
Browne, who retired in 2020, served as a faculty member in the since 1985. Her research delved into the social determinants of health among midlife and elder populations, addressing gender and racial/ethnic vulnerabilities. She advocated for a sustainable long-term-care financing program, specifically tailored to Hawaiʻi and the nation. Her extensive scholarship, published in professional journals and presented at national and international conferences, significantly contributed to gerontology, social work and public health.
Her collection in the University Archives is organized into six series, and captures her contributions from 1980 to 2020. These include university and professional activities, publications, addresses and presentations, media coverage and images. The compilation reflects Browne’s profound impact on the academic, social and policy landscapes, emphasizing her dedication to promoting social justice and health equity for older adults and underserved populations.
As a faculty member at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补, Browne achieved numerous milestones. She established the State and Pacific Basins’ sole graduate gerontology training program, co-founded and served as the Principal Investigator of social work’s longest lasting federal grant, Hā Kūpuna—National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian elders, and served as director of the Center on Aging. Appointed as the Thompson school’s , she focused on documenting economic inequalities faced by older adults.
Browne’s community engagement extended to leadership roles in Hawaiʻi and at the national level. She co-founded the Hawaiʻi Pacific Gerontological Society, served on boards, and was appointed to key positions by both state and federal authorities.
For her achievements, Browne received awards from:
- 东精影业 Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award
- Robert Clopton Community Service Award (东精影业)
- Gerontological Society of America/Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
- American Society on Aging
- Hawai‘i Pacific Gerontological Society for Research