Local Voices
Lionel Brown, MD, Leader in Hand and Wrist Surgery, Plans Retirement from Danbury Orthopedics and The Hand Center of Western Connecticut
Dr. Lionel Brown is one of those exceptional physicians that people count themselves lucky to know. In his close to four decades as a hand specialist, he has restored dexterity, mobility and quality of life to tens of thousands of grateful patients.
As a medical student Dr. Brown knew almost immediately that he had a calling to become a surgeon. He was studying to become a general surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, when a professor he deeply admired asked if he would like to participate in his hand surgery fellowship. After a year as the second Kilgore fellow, a career and commitment took shape.
When Dr. Brown came east to Danbury Hospital early in his career, he came as a general surgeon. But, he recalls, “Being the only fellowship-trained hand specialist in the area at the time, after about 10 years at Danbury 80% of my practice was hand surgery.” The rest, as they say, is history.
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Dr. Brown is a diplomate of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and past president of the New England Hand Society. He has been named to the prestigious Castle Connolly Top Doctor List.
Career Highlights
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Building on his partnership with Surgical Associates of Western CT, Dr. Brown founded the Hand Center of Western Connecticut in 1989. Dr. John Lunt joined the practice in 1993, and in 2011, they merged offices with Danbury Orthopedics, where they have offered an integrated approach to treatment for hand, wrist, and upper extremity ailments, ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome, proximal nerve compressions, arthritis, joint reconstruction and replacement to tendonitis, tumor management, and trauma. Under Dr. Brown's guidance, an on-site surgery center and skilled hand therapy facility came together to achieve maximum outcomes for the most difficult of upper extremity problems.
When Dr. Brown first proposed an outpatient surgical center in Danbury he was in the vanguard. It was the early days of ambulatory surgery, and the concept met with some resistance. But he saw the opportunity to “do even more for patients with a more focused approach”.
Today, The Hand Center at Danbury Orthopedics reflects his “personal best” standards, along with those of his distinguished colleagues: Dr. John Lunt, with whom he co-founded The Hand Center, Dr. Joseph DiGiovanni and Dr. Archit Patel. The Center is a multi-faceted and unique practice encompassing state of the art diagnostics, onsite surgery, rehabilitation, everything for patients under one roof.
Injuries, and Advice
The hand and wrist specialty has changed dramatically over the years, and not only in terms of surgical advances. “Thirty years ago we had many more industrial traumas,” observes Dr. Brown. “But with the influence of OSHA, better safety rules and equipment have made this kind of trauma much less common. Today we see a lot of nerve compression injuries, such as carpal tunnel, more sports injuries, and later reconstructions.”
Looking Ahead
Asked why he’s retiring, Dr. Brown says simply, “It’s time.” He confesses to having “lots of hobbies”, along with ten grandchildren. At 72 he enjoys good health and many interests which he can now pursue.
He also leaves with a clear mind. “I have such fine partners in Drs. Lunt, DiGiovanni and Patel. They will continue the practice maintaining the standards we’ve established and they will build on all the strengths of The Hand Center.” He adds, “I would not have retired without these strong colleagues to carry the practice into the future.”
About Danbury Orthopedics:
Danbury Orthopedics is a multi-specialty practice staffed by leaders in orthopedic care since it first opened in 1954; the practice is a member of Western Connecticut Orthopedic Specialists, along with New Milford Orthopedics and The Hand Center of Western Connecticut, providing comprehensive care to the community for over 90 years combined. The practice’s Centers of Excellence provide integrated treatment, offering individualized and compassionate care by a team of specialists. The goal of the practice is to help patients regain mobility, lead active lives and attain optimal well being. To make an appointment with any of our specialists, or learn more about Danbury Orthopedics, please visit http://www.dortho.com/ or call 203.797.1500.
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