Dr. S. U. Braly was a great humanitarian, philanthropist, and friend of Paulding County. His calling for the practice of medicine and his compassion for patients made him a giant among men. Dr. Braly came to Paulding County in 1953 from his home in Henderson, TN. He became one of the founders of Paulding Memorial Hospital and Medical Nursing Unit, the predecessor to Wellstar Paulding Medical Center and Wellstar Paulding Nursing Center.

During the early years of Dr. Braly’s practice, Paulding County had a dire need for physicians. He welcomed several new doctors into his practice including Dr. Joseph Scott MD (1955), Dr. John Covington MD (1958), Dr. Jerry Worthy MD (1958), and Dr. Darius Smith MD (1963). These physicians later developed their own successful practices and as a group, met the healthcare needs of the community. During this time, it was common for physicians to make house calls, cover the ER, practice general surgery, and deliver babies. This generation of doctors did it all.

Dr. Braly’s love for the well-being of the community extended beyond his medical practice as a philanthropist and advocate for Paulding County. He donated land for a public park which included the first swimming pool in the county, and later donated the land for the first contemporary library in the county.

Dr. Braly held additional responsibilities within the community including lay speaker for the First Methodist Church, Georgia State Senator, member of the Georgia Medical Board of Examiners, Vice Chairman of the Paulding Memorial Hospital Authority, Chief of Staff of Paulding Memorial Hospital Authority, and team physician for the Paulding County football team. Dr. Braly served the Paulding County community for over twenty-five years as a servant leader and a friend to his patients