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School of Podiatric Medicine confers medical pioneers with honorary degrees

Gladys Amador
(305)899-4919

Miami Shores, Fla. – Ninety-one-year-old, medical pioneer, Dr. Margaret Elizabeth Brand, accepted an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine during Saturday’s April 30, podiatric medicine graduation. Brand also accepted a posthumous honorary Doctor of Science degree on behalf of her late husband Dr. Paul Wilson Brand.

For more than four decades the Brands treated countless leprosy patients from Vellore, India to Carville, Louisiana. Their groundbreaking work made it possible for insensate patients, including those with leprosy and diabetes, to function normally despite enormous handicaps. Both Paul and Margaret traveled the world to teach others about their research and treatment successes and served as advocates for their patients.

In tribute to their life’s mission, Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine also honored the Brand’s by officially naming Barry’s first research hub; the “Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center.” On Friday, April 29, Brand joined renowned wound care and diabetic limb salvage physicians as well as Barry faculty, staff, students, and alumni for a celebration of the medical pioneers’ work and the center.

More than $55,000 in gifts, pledges, and in-kind contributions have already been made. The new “Paul & Margaret Research Center” will make it possible for Barry professors and students to conduct research studies to identify the best treatment to promote wound healing, reduce amputations and educate the public on prevention.

Brand was a medical pioneer on leprosy’s effects on the eye. Inside eye camps, in rural India, Brand would perform more cataract surgeries in one day - up to one hundred - than many American ophthalmologists perform in a month. Brand continues to play violin at church events, participates in Bible studies, and continues her advocacy for her patients.

“The dedication of the Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center at Barry University will continue the Brand’s legacy by conducting collaborative research to reduce diabetic complications including ulcers and amputations,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, dean of Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine.

Sponsors for the dedication ceremony included Bako Podiatric Pathology Services, NB Therapeutics, MedEfficiency, Inc, Organogenesis, Inc, and Advanced BioHealing., while Koven Technology donated reduced cost vascular equipment and Tekscan donated reduced cost biomechanics equipment.