Carson City Hospital’s legendary Dr. Brown will be missed

Lawrence H. Brown, D.O., touched the lives of Carson City Hospital (CCH) patients and employees for more than 40 years.

The legendary doctor – known for his wise and witty “Brownisms,” his fondness for hunting, a fierce dedication to the hospital he helped build, and an obvious affection and love for his family – passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Carson City Hospital.

“Personally, I will miss him every day,” said Bruce L. Traverse, the hospital’s President and CEO, who worked with Dr. Brown since 1979. “He challenged all of us to be our best, and always had a way to make us laugh.”

Dr. Brown was born in Lansing in 1939. He and his wife, Judy, had two children – Andrea and Mark – and four grandchildren – Ted Tabor and Grace, Kerrigan and Ireland Brown.

An enthusiastic University of Michigan fan, Dr. Brown attended that institution to earn his bachelor’s degree in 1961, before attending and graduating from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1965. After his internship and surgical residency at Lansing General Hospital in 1966, he began his long career at Carson City Hospital with a surgical residency from 1966 to 1969.

“He trained and practiced as a general surgeon with the founder of our hospital, Dr. Binkert,” said Traverse. “He truly helped to build this hospital and make it what it is today.”

Beginning in 1987, Dr. Brown served the hospital in various leadership roles as the Medical Director, Director of Medical Education and Secretary-Treasurer of the hospital’s board of directors. “As a member of our administrative team, Dr. Brown left his influence on every aspect of our hospital, formulating the details for providing compassionate and quality care and contributing to solving many complex business and financial decisions,” said Traverse.

The hospital honored Dr. Brown with a moment of silence at 9 a.m. on Monday. Throughout the day, staff could be overheard sharing memories of Dr. Brown’s work and his “Brownisms,” insightful and sometimes humorous observations he’d made over the years.

“Anyone who visited his office would see framed on the walls some of his favorite sayings,” said Natalie Buslepp, Medical Services Group Director at the hospital. “He referenced those frequently.”

One frame in Dr. Brown’s office, titled “Today’s Thoughts,” states that “Credentials are not the same as accomplishments” and “The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.” Another infamous “Brownism” was his framed “Six Phases of a Project” which jokingly ends with “praise and honors for the non-participants.” A visit to his office also revealed what was most precious to him in life – countless photographs of his grandchildren, framed doctoral degrees and fraternity affiliations, collages of family fishing trips to Alaska, wildlife paintings, a mounted turkey from a successful hunt, and a special shadow-box gift from his son, Mark, that seems to reflect his life perfectly with a hand-written note stating, “It’s not the kill. It’s not the hunt. It’s sharing the memories with my hunting mentor and friend – my Dad. Thank you for all the great times.”

Gary and Joan Sweet of Carson City have both worked with Dr. Brown at the hospital for many years, as well. Joan said her strongest impression of Dr. Brown is “as the voice of reason.” Gary remembers Dr. Brown introducing him – as a fellow U of M graduate – to the spring football ritual there in 1980, bringing a carload of kids to collect the autographs of Michigan football players and coaches. Gary said he continues that tradition now, and always will remember Dr. Brown for that unique experience.

“Dr. Brown always summed things up by saying, ‘it is what it is,’” said Nancy Weaver, CCH Director of Patient Services. “We’re all really going to miss him.”