A house RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE ERNEST GENE BROWN SR., MPH, FORMER CEO OF NORTH CENTRAL FAMILY MEDICINE, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-THREE YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, on August 8, 2025, Ernest Gene Brown Sr., MPH, former CEO of North Central Family Medicine, officially retired from the post he had held for more than three decades and in which he had served with consistent commitment and excellence; and

 

Whereas, in early preparation for his distinguished career, Ernest graduated from G.W. Carver High School in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He then served four years in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman. Continuing his education, Ernest received his bachelor's degree at North Carolina Central University and master's degrees at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill and UNC Charlotte in health administration, as well as in educational administration and supervision; and

 

Whereas, in earlier days, Ernest served in the fields of corporate management and insurance sales and was a licensed real estate broker. He additionally worked twelve years in health planning, setting up rural health clinics in eastern North Carolina that covered twenty-nine counties. As an educator, he served in teaching and administrative positions at East Carolina University and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and taught for twenty years as an associate professor at Clinton College in Rock Hill; and

 

Whereas, in 1992, he implemented a new start Federally Qualified Health Center in Rock Hill. During his thirty-three years as CEO of North Central Family Medicine, a nonprofit, the company constructed four medical facilities in York and Chester counties. North Central Family Medicine offers comprehensive primary medical care, including full-service pharmacy and behavior health services with one hundred twenty-five full-time employees. In 2018, the board of directors honored Ernest by naming its new building in Rock Hill after him: the Ernest G. Brown Women's & Pediatric Center; and

 

Whereas, over the course of his more than thirty-three years in York County, Ernest has proudly served as president of the NAACP (Rock Hill branch), exalted ruler of the local Elks Lodge, president of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. (three years), and co-founder of the Saluda Corridor Business Association (SCBA). The SCBA sponsors an annual HBCU college fair during Black History Month. Additionally, SCBA sponsors college visits annually to HBCUs for middle and high school students, as well as visits to cultural and historical locations; and

 

Whereas, Ernest finds encouragement for his labors in the strong support of his family: his lovely wife, the former Peggy O. Morrow; and the couple's two adult children; and

 

Whereas, on the occasion of his retirement, Ernest's colleagues will gather to honor him at a celebratory event, to be held September 19, 2025; and

 

Whereas, Ernest Gene Brown Sr. has had no small impact on the quality of service provided by North Central Family Medicine for more than three decades. It is a great pleasure to celebrate his remarkable career and to wish him well as he continues to enjoy his retirement with its more leisurely pace in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Ernest Gene Brown Sr., MPH, former CEO of North Central Family Medicine, upon the occasion of his retirement after thirty-three years of outstanding and dedicated service and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Ernest Gene Brown Sr.

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