By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

A graduate of Lee High School in his hometown of Columbus, Mo., John D. McBrayer attended college at the University of Mississippi and completed his residency at UAB.

After eight years of internal medicine, McBrayer choose to go to the University of Tennessee in Memphis and complete his fellowship in cardiology.

Board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease and boarded in interventional cardiology, Dr. McBrayer enjoys all phases of his profession, including implanting pacemakers, acute intervention, nuclear cardiology and management of chronic congestive heart failure.

A resident of Shelby County for more than 20 years, McBrayer is married to his high school sweetheart, Sandy. (Both were involved at the time in Methodist youth programs).

There have three sons, David, 21, Daniel, 27, and Adam, 23. Grandson, David, is 3, and is his Grandpas’ favorite playmate.

McBrayer also enjoys yard work, piddling around the house and an annual “guy trip” with his sons for fishing, rafting or touring the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

McBrayer is successful, well-known and respected. When I asked to what he accredits this reputation he replied, “My favorite saying is do the right thing. Hard to figure out sometimes, but generally a good guide.”

John McBrayer is so down-to-earth. He doesn’t talk “over your head,” and brings specialized skills and a genuine devotion to the practice of medicine as it applies to each patient.

“The practice of cardiology medicine has evolved so rapidly, with each new development in research and technology allowing for better patient care,” McBrayer said. “This has been a stimulus to keep up, and I have enjoyed seeing the progress and the effects on my patients. The comparison between now and 20 years ago is truly astounding.”

Dr. John McBrayer is truly a compassionate and caring physician at work in our community.