Newberry County Memorial Hospital Honors Dr. John Brown
Newberry — The halls of Newberry County Memorial Hospital (NCMH) now have a meaningful new addition. Last week, the hospital unveiled and dedicated a portrait of the late Dr. John Brown, a respected physician who passed away in 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, proper recognition for his years of service had been postponed until now.
Described by many as an exceptional practitioner, Dr. Brown was a proud graduate of Clemson University and Duke Medical School. His career was filled with notable achievements. He served in the United States Navy during the Cuban Crisis. Afterward, he 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, contributing to the oldest general surgery practice in the state.
In 1982, Brown undertook a four-month cardiovascular fellowship at the Houston Heart Institute. He later played a key role in launching the open-heart program at Richland Memorial Hospital. In 2001, Brown returned to Newberry, where he opened his private practice before joining NCMH, serving the community until 2018. Throughout his career, he also trained in wound care and hyperbaric medicine.
A Lasting Legacy
Dr. Brown’s contributions extended beyond medical services. He provided free medical services to clinics in Columbia, Laurens, and Newberry, and also participated in a medical mission to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. An active member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, his selflessness and leadership were well recognized.
In 2011, Dr. Brown was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, by then-Governor Nikki Haley.
“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 Dr. Brown’s wife, Susandale Cauble Brown.
His youngest daughter, Anna Brown Applegate, shared her feelings: “My dad wasn’t just my dad; he was a hero.” She invited hospital staff and community members to remember her father’s laugh, wisdom, and love, and to pass that love on to others.
Memories and Tributes
Staff and friends shared fond memories of Dr. Brown. Known as a classmate, a humorous friend, and an irreplaceable member of the community, his legacy is set to remain alive for years to come.
Corey Brown, surgery director at NCMH, expressed his admiration: “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. We loved that man just as much as Susandale did. He was a teacher, a father figure, and a phenomenal surgeon with a reputation that will hold here for a very long time.”
Dr. John Thompson worked alongside Brown and shared his sentiments: “When I first came to Newberry in 1978, if we had a case that needed a surgeon we could depend on and trust, it would usually be Dr. Brown… I thought a lot of him and still remember him often.”
John Snow, NCMH Chief Executive Officer, acknowledged the importance of Dr. Brown’s work: “I didn’t know Dr. Brown, as he served before I arrived, but his work has certainly set the stage for many individuals to come. 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 dedication ceremony concluded with a warm atmosphere of shared memories, ensuring that Dr. John Brown’s legacy will continue to inspire and remind everyone of the incredible impact one person can have on a community.
