Brookhaven’s growing medical field has recently welcomed two newadditions that will have an impact on treatment in the area.

Dr. Michael Peavey, a general surgeon, and Dr. David S. Braden,a pediatric cardiologist, have called Brookhaven their permanenthome since the beginning of the month.

Peavey, a Brookhaven native, is in practice with Dr. DavidCarner and Dr. Wells Wilson on Biglane Drive.

He is glad to return to his birthplace and the city where hegrew up. Peavey sees his return as a dream come true.

“I’ve always wanted to come back and take care of the people Igrew up around,” he said.

Peavey, who has been doing his residency at University MedicalCenter (UMC) in Jackson for six years, is also excited because hisnew position gives him the opportunity to spend more time with hisfamily from Brookhaven.

The family includes his parents, Billy and Virginia Peavey;brothers, Tucker and Todd Peavey; and grandmothers, Bertha Smithand Lou Annie Peavey.

He is especially looking forward to making up for lost time withhis immediate family since he was on call seven days a week duringhis residency.

“The past few years my family has been deprived of me, and we’vegot a lot of catching up to do,” he said of his wife, the formerAshley Whittington, and children: Tristan, 3, and Rebecca Anne,seven months.

Peavey, 31, is a 1986 Brookhaven High School graduate, a 1990Mississippi State University graduate and a 1994 UMC graduate.

He said the transition to Brookhaven has been easy because ofthe doctors and staff at Brookhaven Surgery Clinic.

Peavey is eagerly anticipating the opportunities that await him.He plans to call Brookhaven his home for many years to come becausehe believes this is where he is meant to be.

“It’s a good feeling to know you’re doing what the Lord wantsyou to do,” he said.

Braden, 42, has also come to Brookhaven from UMC, where he hasbeen a pediatric cardiologist for seven years.

He lived the majority of his life in Tupelo, where he graduatedfrom high school in 1976. He is a 1980 Mississippi College graduateand a 1984 UMC graduate.

Braden served his residency in pediatrics from 1984-1987, thenfurthered his training in pediatric cardiology at Medical Collegeof Georgia from 1987-1990. He served in the United States Navy from1990-1993 in Portsmouth, Va.

His experience will allow him to cover a large area of care inBrookhaven. He is anxious about those opportunities.

“I’m looking forward to working here,” said Braden. “I’m goingto do mostly general pediatrics, but I will also do some pediatriccardiology and would like to get involved in maybe some sportsmedicine.”

Braden is one of few pediatric cardiologists in the state. Themajority of the specialists practice at academic centers.

One reason he came to Brookhaven was because he has many friendsin the medical field here. Braden and his wife, Karen, also wantedtheir four children: Katy, 16, Marley, 15, Blaise, 10, and Ansley,7, to grow up in a smaller city. His wife is the former KarenBlaise, whose parents, Robert Earl and Opal Blaise, reside inBrookhaven

Braden believes Brookhaven is going to be a fantastic place tolive. He has already had many enjoyable experiences.

“Everybody has been very welcoming,” he said. “So far I like ita lot.”

Braden’s practice has been set up at Brookhaven Children’sClinic, where he serves with Dr. Mitch Holland and NursePractitioner Jeanette Saik.