Dr. S.U. Braly
A great humanitarian, philanthropist, and friend of Paulding County — a giant among men whose compassion for patients defined a generation of care.
“His calling for the practice of medicine and his compassion for patients made him a giant among men.”
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, Tennessee. 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 (1955), Dr. John Covington (1958), Dr. Jerry Worthy (1958), and Dr. Darius Smith (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.
A legacy beyond medicine
The county hospital
Co-founded Paulding Memorial Hospital, the foundation of healthcare in the county today.
The first library
Donated the land for the county's first contemporary public library.
A public park & pool
Gave land for a public park, home to the first swimming pool in the county.
A lifetime of service
Served Paulding County for more than twenty-five years as a servant leader and friend.
Service to the community
Beyond his practice, Dr. Braly carried many responsibilities in service to Paulding County:
- Lay speaker for the First Methodist Church
- Georgia State Senator
- Member of the Georgia Medical Board of Examiners
- Vice Chairman, Paulding Memorial Hospital Authority
- Chief of Staff, Paulding Memorial Hospital Authority
- Team physician for the Paulding County football team
Honor Dr. Braly's example.
Your gift to the scholarship keeps his compassion alive — supporting the next generation of caregivers for Paulding County.