RALEIGH, NC– Michael W. Brennan, MD received the E. Harvey Estes Physician Community Service Award from the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) at the society’s Annual Meeting in Greensboro on October 24th-25th. The award recognizes a physician who not only excels in individual patient care, but also serves the larger community. Dr. Brennan is receiving this award because of his devoted service to his patients, state and nation through quality patient care, working to ensure future health care leaders and spreading this message internationally.
Dr. Brennan devoted 20 years of his career to the Army, serving as an aviator for the Army Intelligence Agency during the Vietnam War and as chief of surgery at Fort Bragg, where he gained experience as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. After retiring from the Army, he joined an ophthalmology practice in Burlington, NC.
Dr. Brennan graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and, after serving in the Vietnam War, attended Stanford University’s aeronautics and astronautics program to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut. He quickly realized aeronautics was not his calling and went on to attend medical school at the University of Texas, San Antonio.
Dr. Brennan not only helps to assist his state and nation, he also travels extensively to meet with doctors at global events to discuss practice issues and advocate for quality patient care. He has used his demonstrated leadership skills to become an instrumental part in training future leaders as cofounder of the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation’s Leadership College.
Dr. Elizabeth Kanof, the Leadership College’s cofounder, once remarked: “A previous attempt at a leadership program in our state was not successful, but, under Mike’s guidance and with his enthusiasm, future medical leaders in our county and state societies and communities are ensured.”