DARLINGTON — In 2020 and into this year, millions of people in America postponed their elected Orthopaedic surgeries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and among them were residents of Lafayette County. 

That is not to say that procedures and treatments were not needed; instead, delayed due to valid public health concerns. As the novel coronavirus has declined in new cases, in large part due to the number of fully vaccinated adults, Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC) is experiencing increased demands for Orthopaedic services. The hospital and clinic are prepared to meet the demand with the addition of Brian McComb, Orthopaedic, P.A., now working closely with Dr. Dan Stormont in the MHLC Specialty Clinic in Darlington. 

McComb comes to MHLC from SSM Health-St. Mary’s in Madison, where he spent three years caring for patients; however, before his work in the state’s Capitol, his service to his country is a testament to Brian’s commitment and dedication to everything he does.

For 20 years, Brian served in the United States Air Force as a Medic. His service took him to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was injured, leaving him to undergo back surgeries and eventually rehabilitation. In a recent radio interview, Brian shared that it was during this time he reflected on what his father, also a veteran, taught him, and what he had experienced as a patient. 

Ultimately, Brian decided that he wanted to pursue a new career in Orthopaedic medicine. So, after only six weeks of retiring from the Air Force, Brian attended P.A. school. 

“One of the most rewarding parts of the work I do here is the opportunity to recruit new providers,” said Kathy Kuepers, MHLC CEO. “When you learn about their background, the reasons they want to practice in a rural setting like ours, it’s heartwarming and truly very special when they join our medical staff,” Kuepers added. 

As for Brian and the type of practice, he’s well on the way to helping grow and meet the increasing demands for services; he shared, “I enjoy helping people, and Darlington provided more time to get to know my patients better. In previous experiences, I was only able to spend 10 minutes or so with patients. Here, I like knowing whose vehicle is parked up front, and it brings me back to my roots growing up in a small town in Iowa,” he said.

Brian comes to the community with his wife and four children, and he expressed how much he’s looking forward to working with Dr. Stormont and taking care of patients from newborns to 100; he noted, “if you’re lucky enough to make it there.”