Newberry County Memorial Hospital Unveils Portrait of Dr. John Brown
Newberry — A special ceremony took place last week at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital, where a portrait of the late Dr. John Brown was unveiled and dedicated. Dr. Brown, who passed away in 2021, was celebrated for his many years of selfless service to the community.
Dr. Brown was a graduate of Clemson University and Duke Medical School. His career began in 1965, following his service in the United States Navy during the Cuban Crisis. Dr. Brown completed an internship at MUSC in Charleston and became board certified in General Vascular and Thoracic Surgery. He joined Palmetto Surgical Associates in Columbia in 1970, which at the time was the oldest general surgery practice in South Carolina.
Significant Contributions and Achievements
Dr. Brown pursued a cardiovascular fellowship in 1982 at the Houston Heart Institute, after which he was instrumental in starting the open heart program at Richland Memorial Hospital. In 2001, he returned to Newberry, opening his private practice and later becoming an employee of Newberry County Memorial Hospital, serving there until 2018. Additionally, he expanded his services to include wound care and hyperbaric medicine.
Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Brown was known for his humanitarian efforts. He provided free medical services to clinics in Columbia, Laurens, and Newberry. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he participated in a medical mission to offer aid. Dr. Brown’s community contributions were recognized in 2011 when he received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, from then-Governor Nikki Haley.
Legacy and Family Reflections
Attended by family, friends, and hospital staff, the ceremony was a time to reflect on Dr. Brown’s legacy. His wife, Susandale Cauble Brown, expressed how supportive the hospital was to the care he wanted to provide.
“John loved his job in Columbia, but he was glad to come back to Newberry and to Newberry Hospital. The hospital was just so supportive of the care he wanted to give the community,” said Susandale.
Their youngest daughter, Anna Brown Applegate, shared her admiration for her father, saying, “My dad wasn’t just my dad, he was a hero.” She encouraged those who see her father’s portrait to remember his laugh and wisdom, as well as the love he gave to everyone he met.
Staff and Community Remembrances
Corey Brown, the surgery director at Newberry County Memorial Hospital, reminisced about Dr. Brown’s multifaceted roles:
“I think there are many, many stories that a lot of us can tell… Dr. Brown was many things to many people. He was a proud citizen of Newberry, quite comedic at times, but more than anything, he absolutely loved what he did,” Corey shared. “He was a teacher, a father figure, and a phenomenal surgeon with a reputation that will hold here for a very long time and a memory that we will continue to carry on.”
Dr. John Thompson, who worked alongside Dr. Brown, highlighted his dependability and trustworthiness. “When I first came to Newberry in 1978, if we had a case that needed a surgeon that we could depend on and trust, it would usually be Dr. Brown… I thought a lot of him and still remember him often,” Thompson said.
Celebration of a Lifelong Commitment
John Snow, the Chief Executive Officer of Newberry County Memorial Hospital, wrapped up the dedication by noting the lasting impact Dr. Brown made: “We are certainly glad to have all of the family here along with the staff to celebrate the work and many years of service from Dr. Brown to this hospital and community.”
The portrait now hanging in the hospital serves not only as a tribute to Dr. Brown’s professional achievements but also as a reminder of his genuine affection for the Newberry community and the lasting impressions he left on many lives.
