Craig Barrett Brown

Craig and I met when he was a resident and I was finishing nursing school clinicals at the Sierra Vista Regional Hospital in 2002. We quickly bonded over our shared enthusiasm for learning about how we could help people in our perspective roles. We reunited again at the Sierra Vista Hospital a couple year later, still enthusiastic and happy with our career choices. Years passed and we both landed at SAVAHCS where we excitedly caught up and reminisced about our days as students some 15 years prior. Craig was my oldest medical friend. It was his enthusiasm and love for healing people that will always stand out in my mind. He was friendly and respected everyone for their unique role in the hospital. He would always sit down and ask for my insight into what was going on with our patients. I believe that all the nurses he worked with would stand up in admiration and say, “He always listened to us.” He is missed as a friend and colleague and will never fade from my memory.

My heart sank to my stomach to hear news of the passing of Dr. Brown. I worked with him for many years at SAVAHCS and he was by far, one of the most caring people I knew. He respected everyone he interacted with and showed a genuine interest in who that person was. No matter how busy he possibly could’ve been, he would stop and pause to chat just to see how you were doing. I will forever cherish how much confidence he instilled in me as a I started my career as an NP. I will miss this man. Rest in love.

Craig,
I miss you so badly! You were the life of the hospitalist group here at the VA and although I knew you for such a short time, you were such a great guy and so supportive! Your departure has left a massive hole in our department and the place is just not the same! We miss you so much!!!!!! We are so sad! We miss Saturdays with Teddy too!

I knew Craig a short time while I worked with him as a temporary physician at VA Tucson. I am from Orlando, Florida and coming to Arizona for the first time was scary as I was coming alone and knew no one.Craig stood out upon my arrival to the hospital as he showed me around and introduced me to the hospital staff. I worked the night shift. As I was starting my shift, he always asked me if I needed anything or could help in anyway before he ended his day shift. We spoke about my home in Orlando as I live just minutes from Disney World. I invited him and his family to stay with me if they ever made it to Orlando. Craig and I both love our little dogs. He spoke often of his “ Downtown Teddy Brown” dog. He loved my little poodle too. We always traded photos.

I will miss Craig dearly. He was a true friend. I will never forget you. Good bless you.

Charles Lerner, MD
Orlando, Florida