August 2019 Member of the Month… Dr Bruce Brient
Our member of the month features individuals who are actively involved in community service and/or inspire others through their personal accomplishments.
Dr Bruce Brient
When I joined Genesis in 2008 at the age of 68, the owner Todd and his staff were very welcoming. My trainer Roger said that while I could run 20 miles per week, I was feeble as a result of being unable to operate the leg press without any weight. Strength training with Roger three days a week has enabled me to work 60 hours a week even at age 79. I attribute my good health to God and also through the help of Roger, and despite what he might say, the two are not equal.
My wife and I plan to hike into wilderness lakes, fly fish in Montana, paddle our kayaks in our backyard (Lake Geneva), visit grandchildren, play golf, bike Florida and annoy each other as long as God allows it.
My favorite quote is: “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out alive.” (Elbert Hubbard)
If I could dine with anyone dead or alive, it would be my father. He was the funniest person I’ve ever known.
Well before I was in grade school, I dreamed of a career in medicine. When I was eight years old, I awoke in the night with abdominal pain, our family doctor came and diagnosed appendicitis and then drove me to the hospital. His compassion, expertise, dedication and good counsel motivated me to become the physician I longed to be.
A mere 25 years later, I graduated from medical school at the university of Kansas, did residency, trained 5 years in Chicago, did a stint in the United States Army, and eventually came to the department of surgery at the University of Florida in Gainesville where I performed a wide range of operations and transplants as well as providing training for physicians and medical students. Following this, I decided to go in private practice in Gainesville and because I was constantly available to my patients, the practice grew quickly. And I performed various major surgeries with laparoscopic equipment, the latest technology at the time which consists of performing tiny incisions to achieve success. My wife CJ was my assistant at the office and in 2000, we moved to keystone Heights. Last month I began to wind down my surgical practice and August 2nd of this year is my official retirement.
