An Extraordinary Legacy

Brian Courtney, M.D., Honored With 2024 Physician Legacy Award

Hospitalist Edward O’Regan, M.D., (left) presents the 2024 Physician Legacy Award to Brian Courtney, M.D., on Dec. 17.

As a self-proclaimed nerd, Brian Courtney, M.D., was drawn to infectious disease — and anything related to science — after reading a biography about French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur in high school.

Later, Dr. Courtney was launched into the world of medicine after a heartbreaking incident. When his cousin died as an infant from cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that causes breathing and digestion problems, he chose to volunteer at the UCLA Cystic Fibrosis Clinic as an undergraduate.

Volunteering evolved into a career of more than 30 years in medicine, specifically in infectious diseases. Dr. Courtney’s dedication to patient safety paired with his excellent clinical experience has made a positive impact to not only Enloe Health, but to the community, earning him recognition with the 2024 Physician Legacy Award.

“This is a very prestigious award, and it is my most gratifying moment at Enloe to receive this recognition,” he said. “There are some real giants who received the Physician Legacy Award in the past. To have your peers affirm a life’s work is pretty special.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles County, Dr. Courtney is a proud alumnus of the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Courtney completed his fellowship at the University of Wisconsin in Infectious Disease and his residency at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

He came to Chico in the late ’80s, pursuing a job opening for an infectious disease doctor. He knew of Chico because a roommate had transferred from UCLA to California State University, Chico. Dr. Courtney was the first infectious disease doctor to arrive in Chico. His career at Enloe began in July 1989.

“I came for a job, but we stayed for the lifestyle,” Dr. Courtney said. “Chico is a great place to live. Quality of life is great, and it’s a great place to raise a family.”

One of a Kind

He graciously thanked his wife, Debra, for her support throughout his career. As the only infectious disease doctor at Enloe Health, he often sees the worst cases of infection.

“Without Deb’s unwavering support, I don’t think I could have pulled through,” he said.

Dr. Courtney’s colleagues praise his warm personality and his ability to step in and help.

“He’ll get in your boat and row with you for a little bit, then send you on your way,” said hospitalist Edward O’Regan, M.D., who presented the award to Dr. Courtney on Dec. 17. “He’s very generous with himself and very generous with his time.”

When Dr. O’Regan presented Dr. Courtney the Physician Legacy Award, he spoke highly about his friend and mentor.

“He’s a warm personality. He’s funny, outspoken. He’s prone to old school clinical skills and a superstar at the bedside,” Dr. O’Regan said. “He makes these decisions we find hard to make on our own.”

Colleagues describe Dr. Courtney as a strong patient advocate with a calm and reassuring bedside manner. His leadership roles include Chair of the Antibiotic Stewardship Committee and Chair of the Infection Control and Prevention Committee. He currently serves as the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, as well as being Medical Director of the Clinical Documentation Integrity Program.

Dr. Courtney doesn’t have any plans to retire any time soon. For him, every day is a blessing and he often reflects on the John Lennon lyric “Life is what happens when you’re making plans.”