Very few physicians and clinicians get the itch to tackle show business. It’s a short list that includes novelist/screenwriter Michael Crichton, MD, and Friends star Lisa Kudrow, who was a medical researcher for nearly a decade before launching her acting career.
The newest member of this dual-passion club is Suzanne Brown Sacks, MD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, whose alter ego is an award-winning singer/songwriter named Suzie Brown.
Each month, Brown works two consecutive weeks at Vanderbilt followed by two weeks off to pursue her musical career. “The arrangement works very well because of our department structure and resident schedules,” said Brown. “It’s actually better than trying to work three days every week.”
Like her medical predecessor Michael Crichton, Brown chose the Ivy League route. She attended Dartmouth College for her undergraduate degree in chemistry, then went to Harvard Medical School followed by residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Brown completed a cardiology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also earned a master’s degree in translational research (the “bench to bedside” discipline bridging the gap between basic science and clinical research). She is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Adult Comprehensive Echocardiology.
Toward the end of her fellowship, Brown began feeling the tug of a long-deferred dream. She started writing and performing her own songs – and it didn’t take long to start gaining attention. In 2010, she won a “Best of Philly” award from Philadelphia magazine and was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
Brown also started collaborating with songwriter Scot Sax, who had chart success with a Philadelphia band called Wanderlust. In 2005, Sax wrote the Top 10 hit “Like We Never Loved At All” for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Brown and Sax soon married, and she uses his actual last name “Sacks” in her medical persona.
Brown’s first dual-career opportunity came at Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia. However, the couple wanted to be part of a more vibrant musical community, so they decided to move to Nashville – and Vanderbilt was willing and able to accommodate Brown’s part-time requirement. It’s been a busy first year, though … new home, new job, and the musical duo welcomed a baby daughter just nine months ago.
Since coming to Nashville, Brown has been able to segment her two careers and avoid the obvious puns likes “achy breaky heart,” although that aptly describes her specialty. “I’m an advanced heart failure specialist,” she said. “I see patients before and after heart transplants, and those with heart-assist devices like the one Dick Cheney once had. My work is mainly in the clinical setting, seeing patients while training residents and fellows.”
Meanwhile, her musical career is doing quite well. Following her acclaimed debut “Heartstrings,” she has now released a second album titled “Almost There” (produced by Oliver Wood of the Americana group The Wood Brothers). It’s a showcase for her rich vocals, reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt, Linda Rondstadt and even Patsy Cline. The musical collection also highlights a remarkable songwriting breadth … from poignant love songs to “Fallen Down” about the young victims of the Sandy Hook shootings.
Like many other projects in the fast-changing music business, Brown’s new album was entirely fan-funded. “It lets us have complete control over publishing, and we own the master,” she said. “Plus it’s a great way to deepen relationships with our fans around the country.” Like most Americana artists, Brown’s website (suziebrownsongs.com) is the engine that drives those financial and fan connections, providing the latest tour schedules, photos and much more.
Brown and Sax frequently tour together, which helps when you have a newborn. “Americana is wonderful because it’s lifelong music,” said Brown. “There’s no age cutoff like in most pop music. Alison Krauss, Robert Plant and Bonnie Raitt can keep playing for the Americana audience as long as they want.”
Music also gives Brown a much-needed break from the emotional intensity of treating patients facing life-and-death conditions. “I get emotionally involved because my patients are dealing with such difficult circumstances,” said Brown. “Performing helps me recharge and refocus.”
Despite her Ivy League credentials, Brown doesn’t seek recognition in the medical field. “I’m not looking for honors and awards. I just want to provide the best care I possibly can for my patients.”
But winning musical awards is another matter. After receiving the Emerging Artist award at last year’s Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, there’s still plenty of room left on Brown’s mantel.