Over 21 years at USF’s medical school, H. James Brownlee, MD, distinguished himself through his pursuit of excellence and passion for teaching and patient care. He officially retires on Aug. 31.
At a reception Aug. 14 attended by colleagues from USF Health and family members, Dr. Brownlee was recognized for his years of dedicated service to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the Tampa Bay community and the profession of medicine.
Dr. H. James Brownlee, with wife Barbara, was recognized for his leadership and excellence in teaching and patient care by Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.
Dr. Brownlee joined USF in 1994 as chair of the Department of Family Medicine, coming from Bayfront Medical Center (now Bayfront Health St Petersburg) where he directed the family practice residency program. Beginning in 2012 he served as full-time medical director of the Monsour Executive Wellness Center, helping to advance the program.
The many students, residents and faculty who benefitted from Dr. Brownlee’s compassionate leadership, wisdom and encouragement will carry on his legacy, said Charles Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.
“For more than two decades trainees and colleagues have turned to him as a trusted mentor who would challenge them to always do their best,” Dr. Lockwood said. “And many, including some here today, have gone on to assume leadership positions as deans, residency directors and chairs in family medicine.”
Dr. Brownlee understood “long before it was in vogue,” the importance of interprofessional training and practice, Dr. Lockwood said. Nurses, physician’s assistants and even a future pharmacy dean were a valued part of the academic mix he created.
Dr. Richard Roetzheim (far right), professor and interim chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, shares how Dr. Brownlee has served as a long-time mentor.
Richard Roetzheim, MD, professor and interim chair of the USF Health Department of Family Medicine, was among those who paid tribute to his long-time mentor.
“Dr. Brownlee was the family physician I aspired to be,” said Dr. Roetzheim, who started as a family medicine intern at Bayfront in 1985 when Dr. Brownlee was residency associate director. “He was generous with his time, he had a caring and calming presence with patients, and his patients absolutely loved him.”
Kevin Sneed, PharmD, founding dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, was recruited to USF by Dr. Brownlee to initiate clinical pharmacy services in the Department of Family Medicine clinics. They shared a keen interest in the management of patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome and in diabetes prevention research.
Dr. Kevin Sneed, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy, says Dr. Brownlee inspired him to always do his best and played a key role in helping him become USF’s first pharmacy dean.
“I don’t know who wrote the script for Marcus Welby, MD, but it was patterned after Dr. Brownlee,” Dr. Sneed said. “I would not be here today, and the College of Pharmacy would not be here today, without Dr. Brownlee.”
Dr. Sneed last year presented his college’s Dean’s Award to Dr. Brownlee in recognition of his advocacy and support of the profession of pharmacy. Dr. Brownlee has also been selected by medical students as the recipient of top teaching awards – the Leonard Tow Humanism Award and the Osler Award for Best Faculty Role Model.
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