Newberry Honors Legacy of Dr. John Brown with Portrait Dedication
Newberry — A touching ceremony took place at Newberry County Memorial Hospital last week as family, friends, and community members gathered to unveil a portrait of the late Dr. John Brown. The dedication honored his years of dedicated service and commitment to the medical community, as well as the many lives he impacted during his career.
Dr. Brown, who passed away in 2021, has long been remembered as an exceptional practitioner. His family felt it was important to mark his contributions to the community properly, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic had previously halted such commemorative activities.
Honoring a Community Pillar
Dr. Brown’s wife, Susandale Cauble Brown, attended the ceremony alongside their children and other family members. They were deeply moved as the portrait was revealed, symbolizing Dr. Brown’s enduring presence in the hospital where he dedicated much of his professional life. “John loved his job in Columbia, but he was glad to come back to Newberry and to Newberry Hospital,” Susandale said. “The hospital was just so supportive of the care he wanted to give the community.”
Dr. Brown graduated from Clemson University and Duke Medical School. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Crisis, he completed an internship at the Medical University of South Carolina where he became board-certified in General Vascular and Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Brown then joined Palmetto Surgical Associates in Columbia in 1970, the oldest general surgery practice in the state at that time.
A Lifelong Commitment to Health
Throughout his career, Dr. Brown was committed to advancing his skills. He undertook a four-month cardiovascular fellowship at the Houston Heart Institute in 1982 and played a significant role in starting the open-heart program at Richland Memorial Hospital. He returned to Newberry in 2001, where he served the area during a time when there were no other surgeons available.
Dr. Brown’s service transcended his private practice. He became part of Newberry County Memorial Hospital and fixed wounds while integrating hyperbaric medicine into his range of care. Members of the community remember him for his selflessness, having provided free medical services to underserved clinics in Columbia, Laurens, and Newberry. He even volunteered for a medical mission in Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Local Recognition of Dedication
In recognition of his efforts, Dr. Brown received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, in 2011 from then-Governor Nikki Haley. His contributions to medicine and the community have left a lasting imprint that his family and colleagues continue to cherish.
During the ceremony, Brown’s youngest daughter, Anna Brown Applegate, shared poignant thoughts on her father’s influence. “My dad wasn’t just my dad; he was a hero,” she reflected, encouraging attendees to remember his laugh, wisdom, and unconditional love. “Pass that love on.”
A Community’s Appreciation
Many speakers at the event shared fond memories of Dr. Brown, describing him not only as a capable surgeon but also as a cherished friend. Corey Brown, the Surgery Director at the hospital, emphasized, “He absolutely loved what he did. We loved that man just as much as she did.”
Dr. John Thompson, a colleague who worked closely with Brown, praised his reliability. “If we had a case that needed a surgeon that we could depend on and trust, it would usually be Dr. Brown,” he recalled fondly.
The Chief Executive Officer of NCMH, John Snow, acknowledged the significance of the event, noting that even though he had not met Dr. Brown personally, his legacy has profoundly influenced the hospital and the care provided there. “We are glad to celebrate the work and many years of service from Dr. Brown to this hospital and community,” he declared.
This ceremony reaffirmed the community’s gratitude for Dr. Brown’s lifetime of compassionate service and will ensure that his memory continues to inspire future generations.
