Dr. David Brown completed his pediatric residency at the University of Minnesota in 1962. He returned in 1967 and became an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine. He advanced at the University, becoming an associate professor and acting head of that department, and director of clinical laboratories. He served as dean of the Medical School from 1984 to 1993. After his resignation as dean, Dr. Brown returned to teaching and research, serving as head of the Clinical Research Center and as a Professor of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine. He retired in 2002.

Interview Abstract
David Brown begins by describing his childhood and education in Illinois. He discusses his experience attending medical school in the 1960s and his decision to join the University of Minnesota’s Department of Pediatrics. He describes his experiences with Ellis Benson and others with whom he worked in the Department. He discusses the role of women in laboratory medicine and his work in comparative endocrinology. He explains the differences in the administrations of several different deans of the Medical School and the School’s changing relationship with the University (and later, Fairview) Hospital. He describes some of the issues of town/gown in Minneapolis and in Minnesota at large, especially related to pediatric medicine. He describes his decision to become an administrator and his own tenure as Dean of the Medical School, the development of the Masonic Cancer Center, and the University’s ALG scandal. He concludes with his retirement and his discovery of a passion for art.

Biographical Sketch
David Brown was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his bachelors degree in 1956 from the University of Illinois at Urbana and his medical degree in 1960 from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He did his pediatrics residency at the University of Minnesota from 1961-1962, and was a fellow in endocrinology and metabolism there from 1962-1965. After working at the Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center in Lackland, Texas from 1965-1967, he returned to the University of Minnesota as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He advanced at the University, becoming an associate professor and acting head of that department, and director of clinical laboratories. He served as dean of the Medical School from 1984-1993. After his resignation as dean, Dr. Brown returned to teaching and research, serving as head of the Clinical Research Center and as a Professor of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine. He retired in 2002.

Interview Transcript
DBrown.pdf