Vaughan Regional Medical Center introduced OB/GYN physician Shawnequa Brown to its staff on Friday.

The Orange Beach, South Carolina native will be on the staff of Dr. Mike Stevens, the hospital’s other OB/GYN. Her first official day is Wednesday.

Brown was previously employed at Sumter Family Health Center in Sumter, South Carolina. Before that, she spent five years at Eau Claire Community Health Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

“When I interviewed here, I saw the need for an OB/GYN in the community,” Brown said. “I have always been drawn to working with the disadvantaged and underprivileged. The area seems to have a strong sense of community. Everyone knows each other.”

During the interview process, Brown loved the Vaughan Regional Medical Center facilities.

“Vaughan Regional’s CEO, David McCormack, is pretty receptive to the need of the doctors and improving access to taking care of the community,” Brown said. “The size of the hospital and access to specialists is what impressed me.”

Stevens, who has worked the last 12 years at Vaughan Regional Medical Center, believes Brown’s experience will be a great asset.

“It’s a big deal to have her here,” Stevens said. “There’s no place that needs another OB/GYN than us. We have a potentially sick population base.”

Brown, 41, set the guidelines for her new job.

“My goal is to provide services here so patients can stay local and not have to travel for services,” Brown said.

Brown has a Selma connection. Her brother-in-law, the Rev. Reginald Wells, and his family are Selma residents. She is married to Eric Brown, who’s retired from the U.S. Army. They have three children: Joshua (14), Chase (11) and Madelyn (five).

She admits leaving her home state was a difficult choice.

“I hated leaving my family and friends,” Brown said. “Every new chapter has a new story. God places us where we need to be.”