Faculty
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Joel Brown, longtime JABSOM faculty member and former Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Brown retired in 2014 after nearly four decades of service to the school, however, he continued to come to work daily at the Department of Medicine until recently.
Dr. Brown's path to a career in medicine was extraordinary. He began his career as an electronics technician before pursuing higher education, ultimately earning his MD with AOA honors from the George Washington University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Washington under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Petersdorf and an infectious disease fellowship at USC and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
A decorated Airborne Ranger who served in Vietnam, he rose to the rank of full colonel during his military service at Walter Reed and Tripler Army Medical Center.
"Dr. Brown was a respected educator, mentor, and leader who published widely, guided countless students and residents, and served the medical school in numerous roles," said Dean Sam Shomaker, MD, JD. "Dr. Brown will be deeply missed, but his contributions to JABSOM and to the field of medicine will live on through those he taught and inspired."
Reflecting on Dr. Brown's legacy, Dr. Scott Kuwada, Chair of the Department of Medicine, said, "I will remember him best for always setting a high bar for medical students' physical exam skills and his thirst for knowledge, his great height, sharp gaze and wry smile. We will miss him in the Department of Medicine and express our deepest sympathies to his family."