DR . WHO Brian Briscoe , MD by KATHRYN VANCE
Life has a way of taking unexpected turns , especially in the demanding world of medicine . For Dr . Brian Briscoe , the journey through his professional and personal life reflects a dynamic path shaped by strong family ties , introspection and faith commitments . Raised in a medical family in Corbin , Kentucky , Dr . Briscoe was steeped in a heritage of health care , yet his entry into the field took a roundabout path . Delving into his journey , it is clear that unforeseen trajectories are not uncommon in life . Along the way , Dr . Briscoe has learned to adapt to the hand life gave him , make challenging decisions and find joy in personal and professional relationships . Family , faith and resilience have been integral in shaping his career and personal life .
Growing up in a medical family , Dr . Briscoe felt a “ natural desire to do something different .” Both of his older brothers had pursued medical degrees , following in the footsteps of their father , Dr . C . William Briscoe , a pioneering figure in psychiatry in their small town during the 1970s and 80s . Despite this profound family legacy , he majored in history , rather than the sciences , at Centre College . He even considered a career as a history professor .
However , after considerable reflection and discussions with mentors , he decided to return to medicine , completing his pre-medical coursework , taking the MCAT and gaining admission to the University of Louisville School of Medicine . “ I was accepted into medical school the fall semester of my senior year of college . After considerable reflection and prayer , I decided to defer my studies for a year . This period allowed me to contemplate my future , nurture
important personal relationships – having recently gotten engaged – and commit to service-oriented work . I am thankful that the University of Louisville School of Medicine generously allowed me to postpone my admission , enabling me to dedicate a gap year to something meaningful .”
During that gap year , Dr . Briscoe served in a management position for the Salvation Army , a role that pushed him out of his comfort zone and provided experiences that couldn ’ t be taught in school . Another key factor in deciding to take the gap year was that his then-fiancée , Kristi , was completing her degree at Centre College . By taking this gap year , he was able to synchronize his and Kristi ' s transitions into medical school , thereby avoiding significant strain on their relationship . Over the course of the year , their devotion to each other deepened significantly , and they were married shortly after her graduation .
Despite his initial determination not to follow in his father ' s footsteps into psychiatry , Dr . Briscoe ' s experiences during a family medicine rotation in rural Kentucky led him to reconsider . He encountered patients struggling with depression and their faith , which profoundly affected him . “ Although I initially resisted a career in psychiatry to avoid following too closely in my father ’ s footsteps , the faith aspect ultimately tipped the scale for me . After wrestling with the decision for months , engaging in prayer and seeking counsel from experienced psychiatrists , I came to understand the unconscious processes behind my own internal battles . This understanding allowed me to consciously decide that it was indeed ‘ okay ’ for me to pursue a career in psychiatry ,” he explained .
22 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE