Michael Glyn Brown
Michael Glyn Brown (January 18, 1957 – November 8, 2013) was a hand surgeon from Greater Houston, Texas. He owned the Brown Hand Center and also owned, managed, or was an officer in other medical centers. He became well known in Texas and elsewhere for his advertising and his social connections, but became involved in scandals and lost his medical license. He committed suicide in 2013.
Early life and education
Brown was born in Galena Park in the Greater Houston area. While attending Galena Park Junior High School, he saw a film of Michael DeBakey performing heart surgery. He wanted to be a heart surgeon, but he said that he ultimately became a hand surgeon because the specialty allowed for greater creativity and was "more profitable and glamorous".[1]
After graduating from
Career
In 1988 he founded the Brown Hand Center.
By the early 21st century, Brown was making $2.5 million annually. He had a residence in the East Wedgwood Glen section of
Brown advertised the "patented Brown technique" of
Personal life and downfall
Brown was married four times. In 2002, he was convicted of beating his third wife and was placed on probation by the Texas Medical Board for that and for "concerns he had an alcohol or chemical dependency".[1] In 2006, after Brown tested positive for cocaine, the Board revoked his license to practice medicine.[1][10] As of 2010, advertising for the Brown Hand Center promoted Brown's medical background, mentioned his medical degree, and stated that he was retired but trained the doctors who worked at the centers. Seth Chandler, a University of Houston professor of law, called the ads "misleading" but "[not] a slam dunk for anyone looking to prosecute" under the Texas Medical Practice Act.[1]
In August 2010, Brown voluntarily forfeited parental rights to his two children by his third wife;[11] in September 2011, after a week-long trial, he was acquitted of felony assault on his fourth wife.[12]
The revenues of the Brown Hand Center decreased after advertisements featuring Brown ended circulation.
In July 2013, Brown pleaded guilty in federal court to interfering with a flight attendant.[17] On September 25, he was sentenced to 30 days of federal jail and was ordered to surrender himself on October 25 of that year.[18]
In October 2013 the Brown Hand Center announced it was closing. By October 16, only the Houston location remained open. The trustee handling Brown's bankruptcy case had placed the business in Chapter 11 protection; he stated that he had discovered "significant financial debt, misuse of revenue, and compliance issues".[13]
Suicide attempt and death
On October 29, 2013, news was released that Brown had been found unconscious at his house in Miami Beach.[19] His attorneys filed a statement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court confirming that he had suffered cardiac arrest and was incapacitated: "Dr. Brown remains hospitalized ... The extent of the damage he has suffered is unknown; however, it appears to be severe and, at this time, counsel has no ability to communicate with Dr. Brown."[20][21] He had been found, with a suicide note, on October 24, 2013.
Brown was taken to the
Prior to his death several of Michael Brown's assets, including briefcases containing $3.2 million in cash, art and antiques, and a $250,000 item of jewelry were reported missing and unaccounted for.[14][26] After his death a series of auctions of his possessions were held to pay debts.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Ackerman, Todd. "Troubles belie Houston hand doc's family-man image." Houston Chronicle. September 6, 2010. Updated November 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c Malislow, Craig. "Out of Hand." Houston Press. October 26, 2011.
- ^ Kurtz, Rob. "Nevada's Brown Hand Center Adds Surgery Center." Las Vegas Sun. December 9, 2010.
- ^ a b Arizona Corporation Commission. "State of Arizona Public Access System". Retrieved on June 9, 2013.
- ^ a b Fleck, Tim. "The Good Doctor." Houston Press. January 24, 2002. Retrieved on November 20, 2011.
- Phoenix Business Journal. August 25, 2010. Retrieved on November 13, 2013.
- ^ Vance, Alexis. "Wife Says Hand Doctor Tried to Break Arm." Fox 10 News (Phoenix). August 26, 2010. Archived on September 25, 2011.
- ^ Rogers, Brian. "Jurors hear details of accused former doctor's wealth." Houston Chronicle. September 15, 2011. Retrieved on November 20, 2011.
- ^ a b Smith, Sonia. "A Glimpse Into Michael Brown’s Collection of Oddities". Texas Monthly. January 23, 2014.
- ^ Texas Medical Board. In re The License of Michael Glyn Brown, M.D.. Order of Revocation. March 1, 2006.
- ^ Dulai, Shaminder. "Arrested hand surgeon forfeits parental rights to 2 children". Houston Chronicle. August 28, 2010.
- ^ Rogers, Brian. "Jury rules Michael Brown not guilty in assault trial." Houston Chronicle. September 19, 2011. Updated September 20, 2011.
- ^ a b Gleason, Stephanie. "Michael Glyn Brown’s Hand Centers to Fold." The Wall Street Journal (blog). October 16, 2013. Retrieved on November 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Christian, Carol. "Michael Brown's missing millions in cash prompts emergency request." Houston Chronicle. November 5, 2013. Retrieved on November 18, 2013.
- ^ In re Michael Glyn Brown, case no. 13-35892-H4-11, U.S. Bankr. Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Div.).
- ^ Christian, Carol. "Bidders vying for Michael Brown's surgery company." Houston Chronicle. September 20, 2013. Retrieved on November 11, 2013.
- ^ Docket entry 59, July 16, 2013, United States v. Michael Glyn Brown, case no. 1:13-cr-20228-DLG, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Miami Div.).
- ^ Christian, Carol. "Michael Brown sentenced to 30 days in federal prison." Houston Chronicle. September 25, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press. "Fallen former prominent Houston hand surgeon dies". Miami Herald. November 8, 2013; "Michael Brown death: Former Houston doctor found unconscious, dies at Florida hospital". ABC 15. November 8, 2013.
- ^ Deborah Wrigley, Deborah."Former hand surgeon incapacitated following cardiac arrest." KTRK-TV News. October 29, 2013.
- ^ Notice of Status of Debtor, docket entry 659, Oct. 28, 2013, In re Michael Glyn Brown, case no. 13-35892-H4-11, U.S. Bankr. Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Div.).
- ^ Christian, Carol and Rogers, Brian. "Michael Brown dies after doctors remove life support in Florida hospital". Houston Chronicle. November 8, 2013. Updated November 9, 2013.
- ^ Strauss, Eric M. and Effron, Lauren. "Former Houston Hand Surgeon, Who Had History of Abusing Women, Died". ABC News. November 8, 2013. Retrieved on November 10, 2013.
- KHOU-TV News.
- ^ Wallace, Randy. "Ex-hand surgeon takes own life." KRIV (Fox 26) Phoenix. November 8, 2013. Archived on November 10, 2013.
- ^ Wrigley, Deborah. "Shocking details in case of former hand surgeon Dr. Michael Brown". ABC 13, Houston. November 6, 2013.
Further reading
- Rogers, Brian and Christian, Carol. "Controversial ex-hand surgeon Michael Brown dead at 56." Houston Chronicle. November 9, 2013.
External links
- The Hand Center. Archived on June 15, 2012.