"Dr. John Harris and Dr. Bob Utley helped me to see that God values men and women the same while also embracing how we are equally yet uniquely representative of the same God. These two professors changed the course of my education while encouraging me to trust God to lead my vocational pursuits."
When Dr. Brandi Buchanan transferred to ETBU her junior year, she found a place to heal and wrestle with God's Word.
"Growing up, I always wanted to work in medicine, but my freshman year in high school I felt called to ministry," Dr. Buchanan said. "I didn't know how my previous desires and this new calling would work itself out. I grew up in a very conservative church and the options that were put before me didn't seem viable. Then as a freshman at LSU, my biology professor told me I cared too much about people to be a physician and should consider psychology. I felt lost."
Dr. Buchanan began searching for mentors to help her navigate what she felt called to do, but was met with opposition. It was during this season, Brandi decided to transfer to ETBU.
"I loved my previous institution, but I chose to come to ETBU so I could minor in religion and learn more about the Bible from professors who could teach me regardless of my gender or background," Dr. Buchanan said.
According to Dr. Buchanan, it was the professors she had while at ETBU that helped her to navigate scripture and heal spiritually.
"The first year I attended ETBU, I met Dr. John Harris," Dr. Buchanan said. "We met periodically during his office hours to discuss the topics and ideas I had struggled with most of my life. Dr. Harris and Dr. Bob Utley helped me to see that God values men and women the same while also embracing how we are equally yet uniquely representative of the same God. These two professors changed the course of my education while encouraging me to trust God to lead my vocational pursuits."
After graduating from ETBU, Dr. Buchanan attended seminary and served as a college pastor and young adult minister in local churches. After her time in ministry came to an end, she felt called to her current profession of neuropsychology. Today, she is the owner and president of Dallas Neuropsychology, with clinics in Rockwall and Greenville.
"I now work in a hospital acute rehabilitation unit and have two outpatient clinics where I diagnose and treat adults and geriatric individuals with neurocognitive injuries and illness," Dr. Buchanan said. "I have been told I have a unique approach to my practice, and I believe it is due to the fact that I address the emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual components of my patients due to my unique training, education, and experience."