At Kendall House at Morningside at Menger Springs resides Dr. Robert Brown, known as “Dr. Brown,” a distinguished physician whose resilience and dedication have left a lasting impact on the field of medicine. Born in 1947 in Dallas, Pennsylvania, Dr. Brown’s life has been defined by perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to his patients.
Dr. Brown’s journey into medicine began at Dallas High School, where he developed a passion for biological sciences. He pursued his medical studies at Brown University in Rhode Island with a focus on cardiology, but a life-altering event during his second year of residency changed the course of his career. At just 26 years old, Dr. Brown suffered a stroke due to a ruptured arteriovenous malformation birthmark on his brain, a condition present since birth. The incident occurred during a lunch break game of squash with a colleague when he suddenly experienced a severe headache, followed by numbness on the left side of his body. He soon lost consciousness and was immediately rushed to receive medical attention.
Despite having designated himself as a “do not revive” patient due to his prior experience working with brain-dead stroke victims, Dr. Brown’s neurology professor made the critical decision to operate. Against all odds, he survived and embarked on an extraordinary recovery, returning to his residency within months. While his stroke altered his physical capabilities, limiting the use of his left hand and the left side of his body, he adapted and redirected his expertise toward Infectious Diseases, a field that perfectly aligned with his exceptional problem-solving skills.
After completing his training, Dr. Brown returned with his young family, including his wife and their toddler daughter and son, to his hometown of Dallas, Pennsylvania. There, he became the only Infectious Disease specialist within a 50-mile radius. Over the years, his medical acumen earned him leadership positions, including Chief of Medicine for a family practice program overseeing a consortium of hospitals in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He dedicated 30 years to this healthcare system before taking on the role of Director of Medical Education for the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. He consulted for four hospitals in this capacity, and he also managed HIV clinics within the maximum-security prison system of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Dr. Brown’s career is marked by significant medical achievements. In 1990, he successfully treated the fourth documented survivor of amebic meningoencephalitis in the United States. His patient, a 32-year-old man who had been water-skiing in Lewis Lake, developed a coma-inducing infection caused by brain-eating amoebas. Although the patient initially presented with symptoms resembling bacterial meningitis, and despite skepticism from colleagues, Dr. Brown insisted on testing for amoebas. His persistence paid off as he successfully treated the patient with amphotericin, making medical history. To date, only five individuals in the U.S. have survived this deadly infection, with Dr. Brown’s patient being the fourth. Additionally, in 2001, he was awarded the RIT/USA Today Quality Cup for drastically reducing infection rates in open-heart surgery patients through an innovative use of antibiotic ointment.
In 2005, Dr. Brown retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he continued to serve as a volunteer medical consultant in a senior living community, once again filling the role of the only Infectious Disease specialist within 50 miles. After 17 years there, he recognized his increasing need for assistance and made the informed decision to move to Kendall House at Morningside at Menger Springs in 2022, where he continues restorative therapy.
Now, at 78 years old, Dr. Brown remains sharp, witty, and deeply engaged in his rehabilitation. He diligently completes wrist weight exercises six times a day and enjoys the support of his loving family nearby in Boerne. Affectionately known as “Grandpa Boo-Boo” by his four grandchildren, one of whom resides in Boerne while the others are in Denver, Colorado, he takes great pride in his role as a grandfather.
Dr. Brown’s life is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an enduring passion for medicine. His remarkable career and personal journey are an inspiration to everyone in the Morningside community.
