Board member spotlight: Brandie D’Orazio, R.N., BSN

Brandie D’Orazio brings clinical insight, lived experience and a deep commitment to pediatric philanthropy as a member of the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital Fund Advisory Board. Her passion for health care giving is grounded in both her professional background and personal journey as a parent and advocate.

From critical care nurse to children’s hospital board volunteer

Brandie’s career in health care began with a love of science and a desire to help others thrive. With degrees in biology and nursing, she spent more than a decade working in adult critical care as a nurse and administrator. Her clinical experience laid the foundation for the advocacy work she does today.

How a rare genetic diagnosis sparked pediatric advocacy

Brandie and her husband are parents to four children. Their youngest son, Leo, was born with a rare, terminal genetic condition diagnosed shortly after birth. Though doctors expected just weeks, Leo lived for three years filled with love, perspective and purpose.

“Leo was truly remarkable and helped us see the beauty and value of life in profound new ways,” Brandie said.

Leo’s story deepened her commitment to pediatric health care and inspired her ongoing involvement in charitable giving and advocacy.

Turning grief into purpose through community support

After Leo’s passing, Brandie and her husband joined the Johns Hopkins Corporate Advisory Board to support pediatric health initiatives. When their family relocated to Charleston in 2020, she began volunteering with MUSC’s palliative care team and enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, focusing on family and pediatric care.

When two of her children were later diagnosed with dyslexia, Brandie co-founded The Promise School in 2023. The school supports students with learning differences through a therapeutic model that includes:

• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Executive functioning coaching
• Creative therapies through music, art, animals and movement

Supporting child-life services, dyslexia care and donor impact

Brandie brings to the advisory board a powerful combination of clinical expertise, entrepreneurial vision and lived experience. She’s especially passionate about expanding access to child-life and palliative care services, supporting children with learning differences and advancing research in genetics.

“I hope to help bridge the worlds of medicine, business, community and family care,” she said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to support world-class pediatric care right here in South Carolina.”

Brandie is also working to grow a diverse network of supporters — including younger donors and volunteers — to ensure MUSC Children’s Health continues to thrive for generations to come.