Brown Is Responder Of The Week

A lifetime resident of Ulysses, Pam Brown’s story comes full circle.

She was born at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, and today she serves patients there as a dedicated respiratory therapist.

Pam devoted her early years to raising her son and daughter before stepping into the workforce. She first worked as a secretary at Kepley Middle School, but her passion for helping others soon led her down a different path.

At the age of 40, Pam returned to college at Seward County Community College. With determination, she earned an associate degree in Respiratory Therapy, diving deep into the study of the lungs, heart, and renal system.

She chose the field because she wanted to be there for people in their most vulnerable moments — when breathing becomes difficult, fear takes hold, and comfort is needed most. After graduation, Pam began her career in Hays, where she spent 15 years working with the Thoracic Surgery Center and the Cardiac Rehab clinic. Later, an opportunity in Garden City opened the door for her to return home, which has allowed her to now serve patients at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital.

For Pam, respiratory therapy is far more than helping someone breathe.

“It’s a wide variety of things that the job entails,” she explained.

The work can be intense, with respiratory therapists among the first called to respond to wrecks or Code emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic, she noted, brought unprecedented challenges, with new machines and equipment arriving rapidly and requiring immediate mastery.

Outside the hospital, Pam finds joy in family. She and her husband, Craig, have built a full life together. Their son, Trevor, lives in Ulysses with his wife and two children, while their daughter, Nichole, resides in Longview, Texas with her husband and two children. Pam cherishes time with her grandchildren, but when she’s not with them, she and Craig can often be found golfing or riding motorcycles.

Reflecting on her career, Pam emphasized the importance of access to quality care.

“Healthcare is very important, and we are fortunate in the United States to have the healthcare system we have, but most especially in Ulysses to have Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, because the employees here are highly experienced and seasoned,” she said.

Pam Brown’s journey from stay-at-home mom to seasoned respiratory therapist is a testament to determination, compassion, and community pride — qualities that make her a true Responder of the Week.

Send your medical or law enforcement nominations for Responder of the Week to news2@ulyssesnews.com or call (620) 356-1201.