Raised in Yulee, two UF Health doctors and siblings are providing world-class care in their hometown.
As UF Health North continues to grow, it’s only natural to expand its most-needed services to surrounding communities. UF Health Women’s Specialists – Yulee and UF Health Family Medicine – Yulee have joined forces to provide comprehensive health care to women and families, all under one roof. Now patients can receive leading obstetric and gynecological care in the same location that has been practicing family medicine for years.
LaRae C. Brown, MD, FACOG, is one of the OB/GYNs providing services at the new practice. On her days at UF Health Women’s Specialists – Yulee, she often runs into a familiar face. Jeremy Coleman, MD, medical director of UF Health Family Medicine – Yulee, is more than just her colleague — he is her brother.
Brown and Coleman grew up in Yulee, Florida. The city’s small-town feel means these siblings know many of their patients personally. They’re familiar with the population’s needs when it comes to health care.
“It’s important to us, being from this community, to give patients access to state-of-the-art care right in their backyard,” Brown said. “We’re blessed to take care of people in our community who have watched us grow up. It’s great to see the families we take care of and kids we have delivered, and provide them with continuity of care. It’s such a unique privilege.”
From an early age, Brown knew she was supposed to practice medicine. “Medicine is a calling and a service and I’m privileged to be in this position. My first doctor kit came at age 3, and from then on, I knew this is what I wanted to do.”
Brown and Coleman are only three years apart, but their relationship was never competitive. Instead, they inspired each other to fulfill their potential. Coleman describes Brown’s help as he navigated new educational challenges, like getting accepted into summer programs and taking the ACT and SAT. He celebrated with her when she got accepted into Harvard, watched her attend the University of Florida College of Medicine and launch her career in obstetrics and gynecology.
“My sister has been a motivating factor for me,” Coleman said. “One year in school, she really ratcheted up her performance — she made straight 100s the first quarter, then all year, and then the next year. So that puts a little pressure on you. You have to step up your game. She definitely has been instrumental in helping me get to the place I am now.”
“We value our relationship and its strength which got us through difficult medical training, and now in practice helps us provide the best care for our patients,” Brown said.
Living in Yulee, the siblings know that residents haven’t always had access to the level of care UF Health provides them now. UF Health Women’s Specialists – Yulee offers annual exams, contraceptive management, prenatal care and management of gynecological conditions. For procedures requiring a hospital setting, patients only have to travel a short distance to UF Health North.
“UF Health has all the assets as a top-tier academic health system, as well as the state-of-the-art hospital at UF Health North,” Brown said. “It is an exciting opportunity to bring a vibrant OB/GYN practice to the area. We want to expand our services to residents here so they’re not driving all the way to downtown Jacksonville for their care. We have the latest resources available to them, like nitrous oxide and laboring in tubs. Making those options accessible to the communities of Northeast Florida is invaluable and important to me.”
By adding women’s health to the primary care services available at UF Health Family Medicine – Yulee, Brown and Coleman serve even more residents of their hometown.
“I consider my sister to be not only a sibling and a mentor, but also one of my best friends. I’m proud of her, I know she’s proud of me, and we are looking at doing some good things here,” Coleman said.
“It’s a great place for one-stop health care,” Brown said. “Children, families, older family members and women at any stage of pregnancy can get services here, and they will have access to all of the wonderful amenities at UF Health North.”
For more information about UF Health Women’s Specialists – Yulee, visit North.UFHealthJax.org/ob-gyn or call 904-633-0670.
Featured Faculty
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LaRae C. Brown, MD, MHA, FACOG
Assistant Professor
Chief, Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology (North Campus); Medical Director, UF Health Women's Specialists - North
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Associate Professor
Medical Director, UF Health Family Medicine - Wildlight; Interim Medical Director, UF Health Family Medicine - Amelia Island; Medical Director, Primary Care and Sports Medicine