In the News

Dr. Karen Brooks-Searle Named Physician of the Year
at VBMC-Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, Jan. 22, 2007  – Dr. Karen Brooks-Searle, Surgeon, has been named “Physician of the Year” at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville. VBMC-Brownsville employees voted for Dr. Brooks-Searle because of her courtesy, kindness, professionalism, punctuality, communication skills, ability to work with others, and many other qualities.

Dr. Brooks-Searle received the award from VBMC-Brownsville CEO Leslie Bingham during a recent General Staff meeting at the hospital

In selecting Dr. Brooks-Searle for the award, VBMC-Brownsville employees cited a variety of characteristics. “She has a great bedside manner and is always smiling,” one employee stated. “She has a wonderful rapport with her patients and their families.”

Another employee said that Dr. Brooks-Searle is dedicated to making the community well and to the well-being of her patients.

“For the past five years that I have known Dr. Brooks, she has always been very courteous,” stated a third employee. “She is both of my parents’ doctor and I have seen her bedside manners. She did surgery on my dad and she explained why the surgery was needed and afterwards came looking for me to let me know the outcome. I think she is really great!”

Dr. Brooks-Searle specializes in General Surgery and Trauma, and serves as Asst. Clinical Professor of Surgery for the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and received her Bachelor of Science Degree. She received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas in Houston and completed her internship and residency at the University of Florida Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

Dr. Brooks-Searle is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a charter member of the American Society of General Surgeons. She is also a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and the Cameron-Willacy County Medical Alliance.

Prior to coming to Brownsville four years ago, Dr. Brooks-Searle worked in private practice for nine years in Lufkin, Texas, with her father, Dr. Vivian Brooks. Dr. Brooks-Searle is the mother of three boys, Anthony, age 13; Trevor, 10, and Brian, 8.

The annual balloting for “Physician of the Year” is open to all VBMC-Brownsville employees and is conducted by the Ambassadors of Service, a group of employees which sponsors special projects at the hospital.