Earl Brown’s Post

No rest for this Tillman Scholar. Three midterms this week here in Tampa (remote of course), helped neighbors board up and finished off with my own following my last exam. #TillmanScholar #HurricaneMilton

In the challenging world of medicine and academia, the symbolic "white coat" signifies a significant milestone. Being fitted for mine brought much-needed morale during a demanding week of midterms. Excited about the journey ahead and the adventures waiting to unfold. Grateful for the unwavering support from those standing by me on this path. #TillmanScholar #OrthoticsandProsthetics #AdaptiveSports #Veteran #PowerofthePivot

Tracy did not qualify for a medal this round, finishing 8th in Paris. LA 2028, we will bring it home. But she didn't go home without some bling and a little sparkle. Congratulations, Tracy and Rick. Guess who they asked to escort her down the aisle???

On the eve of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, it’s nice to see how much of an impact I’ve already had… and I’m just getting started. Imagine what I’m going to do when I know what I’m doing.

Getting in some practice reps today with my Paralympian and newly minted World Archery number 1 ranked W1 classified, Ms Tracy Otto as she prepares for Paris in a few weeks. Cannot wait!!! #PrimeArchery #USAArchery #Paralympics #Paris2024

The Pat Tillman Leadership Summit in Chicago was truly inspiring. Connecting with Tillman Scholars from different classes and sharing our stories of success was a remarkable experience. The impact these Scholars have in honoring Pat’s legacy is truly remarkable. I am grateful to be part of this community of Veteran leaders making a difference in the world. Initially feeling a bit out of place, I soon found myself engaged in discussions about my journey, from adaptive sports to upcoming adventures. The support and encouragement from my loved ones have been invaluable in this journey. I am proud to be a 2024 Tillman Scholar, and I am thankful for the incredible opportunity to be part of this community. #PatTillmanFoundation #NFL #SaluteToService #ServantLeader #PatTillmanLeadershipSummit #TillmanScholar #ServiceAboveSelf #MakeYourMark #AdaptiveSports

Friday was a fun end to this chapter with the county. It felt good to be back in my element with PA professionals from across the country. I was asked by my battle buddy and fellow PA Pro, to speak about my experience working in public affairs at the federal level during a regional conference for county communicators. It was fun sharing bits of wisdom and lessons learned during my time in the Army, but also how they can apply those lessons to their success during emergencies to protect our communities. Very fortunate I had this opportunity. It was really cool at the end to tell them about my next chapter and how I have been selected as a #TillmanScholar ready to change the world. #NACIO #3CMA #PublicAffairs

I’m honored to share that I have been selected as a 2024 #TillmanScholar! Joining the @PatTillmanFoundation community is a privilege, and I look forward to upholding the values that inspired Pat. In 2016, I had the opportunity to attend the Tillman Leadership Summit in Chicago while working with the National Football League (NFL) as their senior military fellow. That impactful weekend left a lasting impression on me, motivating me to continue making a difference for our Veterans and communities. Reflecting on my journey supporting adaptive athletes at Hillsborough County's Adaptive Sports during the selection process, I am reminded of the profound impact we can have when we are driven by purpose. I am eager to see what more I can achieve with this incredible opportunity. I am humbled to stand alongside fellow #TillmanScholars who embody the spirit of service above self. Together, we are dedicated to creating positive change and leaving a lasting impact. Discover more about my fellow scholars at scholars.ptf.org. #PatTillmanFoundation #ServiceAboveSelf #LeadershipDevelopment

In animal welfare, success is cut and dry - how many lives did we save. This weekend, Hillsborough County hosted our second annual multi-county Mega Adoption Event at the Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds and I'm happy to report that 459 dogs were saved!!! This is double what we were able to accomplish last year! It was such an incredible weekend. The seven municipal animal shelters that came together worked as one team, with a central focus on getting dogs adopted. Volunteers and staff worked across the venue, helping with meet-and-greets, playgroups, and cleaning. Our staff had the challenge of prepping hundreds of dogs with surgeries, transport, and, eventually, set-up. Our efforts cleared out more than half our kennels at PRC, and I couldn’t be more proud of the entire team. Thank you to our community partners that helped make this possible, most notably, the @Pet Resource Foundation, Team Godwin Foundation, @Pasco County Animal Service, MARION COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL INC, @Orange County Animal Services, Polk County BoCC Animal Services, Manatee County Government, Work That Matters Hillsborough County @florida strawberry Festival