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News Archive News from HealthServe: Obituary: Dr Paul Wilson Brand, CBE, MB, FRCS (Eng) 1914-2003August 2003
Obituary: Dr Paul Wilson Brand, CBE, MB, FRCS (Eng) 1914-2003
"One day I shall experience a sickness that is unto death. I shall sense my mortal frame has no more strength to fight and that my pathway is leading into the valley of the shadow. Let me not feel the despair of one who is losing a battle, or that a triumph of evil is ahead. Focus within me, O Lord, the light of your eternal Spirit. Show me again that my body, for all that it is wonderful, is but the mantle of a greater wonder, my soul. Hold me, Lord, in such awareness of your presence and your love that my parting from my body shall be but the opening of a more vivid intimacy and union with the spirit of my Savior. He who has been the inspiration of my stumbling body shall now be the very light and substance of my soul."From "I Thank God for My Immune System"; Litanies of Praise, Copyright Paul Brand; 1993
Dr Paul Brand, world-renowned hand surgeon and leprosy specialist died on 8th July 2003. Dr Brand pioneered reconstructive surgery for leprosy and spent years researching the cause and effect of the neuropathic limb. Today it is well accepted that the ulceration and paralysis found in late leprosy is the result of anaesthesia and nerve damage. Prevention of impairment and disability is an integral part of leprosy control programmes throughout the world; this is largely due to the pioneering work of Dr Brand. His tendon transfer reconstructive surgery represented a leap forward in the rehabilitation of people affected with leprosy, showing that the paralysis of the intrinsics could be overcome and mobility of the so called ‘claw hand’ restored.
Born in the mountains of south west India of missionary parents in 1914, Dr Brand returned to the UK for his education in 1923 at the age of nine. He trained at London University Medical School where he met his wife, Margaret, a fellow medical student. Qualifying as a doctor during the war years, Dr Brand specialised in surgery, successfully becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and gaining experience as a war casualty surgeon at Great Ormond Street hospital.
In 1946, Dr Robert Cochrane, the world renowned leprologist, invited Paul and Margaret Brand to join him at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, South India. Dr Cochrane challenged Dr Brand to use his skills as an orthopaedic surgeon to research and treat disability.
The Brands joined the staff of The Leprosy Mission International in 1953, and continued to develop their research and training work at Vellore and the newly founded Schieffelin Leprosy Research and Training Centre, Karigiri. In 1964 Dr Paul Brand was appointed as the International Leprosy Mission’s Director of Surgery and Rehabilitation, based in London.
In 1966, the Brands were invited by the United States Public Health Service to work at the National Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana. Paul Brand became Chief of Rehabilitation. For more than 20 years, he conducted research and taught surgery and orthopaedics at the Medical College at Louisiana State University. During this period Dr Brand carried out extensive study on the biomechanics of the hand, the use of the total contact cast in the healing of plantar ulcers in the neuropathic foot and the use of thermal mapping in the management of insensitive feet and stumps.
He also remained actively involved with international medical missions by serving on the Expert Panel for Leprosy of the World Health Organization, serving as Medical Consultant and then International President of The Leprosy Mission, from 1992-1999, co-founding the All-Africa Leprosy and Rehabilitation Training Centre (ALERT) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and serving on the Board of the American Leprosy Missions.
In the mid 1980s, the Brands retired and moved to Seattle, where Dr Paul Brand became Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics, Emeritus at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Dr Paul Brand authored 100 scientific papers and seven books, including Clinical Mechanics of the Hand, which is the premier handbook for hand surgeons, physiotherapists and other hand specialists.
A gifted speaker and writer, Dr Paul Brand has received many honours and awards in recognition for his outstanding achievements: he was Hunterian Professor of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1952; in 1960 he received the Albert Lasker Award for outstanding leadership and service in the field of rehabilitation; in 1961 he was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II with a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for promotion of good relations between the Republic of India and Great Britain; in 1977 the Damian-Dutton Award for outstanding contributions in prevention of disabilities due to leprosy; and the US Surgeon General’s Medallion for his rehabilitation work in Carville, Louisiana.
Dr Paul Brand died from complications related to a subdural haematoma. He is survived by his wife Margaret, a distinguished leprosy ophthalmologist, 5 daughters, one son and 12 grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of excellence and care for leprosy affected people. Dr Paul Brand’s Christian faith inspired and maintained his service. Always a Christian gentleman, his humble yet passionate approach to both care and teaching inspired many. In his enthusiasm for surgery and research he never forgot the person behind the disease.
A memorial service for Dr Paul Brand was held in Seattle on August 2nd and another service will be held on Saturday
4th October 2003 at Bloomsbury Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, UK at 11am.
June E Nash
The Leprosy Mission
For more information on leprosy and the work of the Leprosy Mission go to
http://www.leprosymission.org.uk
