Thu, Aug 21, 2025 at 05:05 PM

More Than Medicine: Dr. Stephen Britt, General Surgeon, Surgical Associates of Marshall County

Rooted in East Tennessee

Dr. Stephen Britt grew up in the rolling hills of East Tennessee, where hard work and rural living shaped his earliest years.

“I’ve probably milked more cows than a lot of people,” he laughs.

His childhood best friend’s family had hundreds of head of cattle, his father also had cattle, and much of his free time was spent on farms helping out.

“I grew up in the country.” he says.

Although farming was a big part of his upbringing, Dr. Britt knew he wanted to take a different path.

“I was thankful for the opportunity to go to college and go a different direction,” he explains.

That new direction would eventually lead him into medicine, but not before a serious flirtation with another career.

From Chemistry to the Operating Room

In college at East Tennessee State University, Dr. Britt fell in love with chemistry.

“I had a knack for it and really enjoyed it,” he says.

His talent earned him an internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, one of the country’s most respected research facilities. The experience was eye-opening.

“I thought I was really good at chemistry,” he recalls, “until I was hanging out with all the people at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Then I quickly realized there was another level of intelligence that was way above me.”

Even so, he faced a big decision: pursue a PhD in chemistry or go to medical school. Ultimately, medicine won out, and he went on to complete his surgery residency at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His chairman even tried to convince him to join the new UAB Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowship and return to Chattanooga to start a division.

“I was tempted,” Dr. Britt admits, “but I was raised in a small town and wanted to get back to a small town.”

Today, Dr. Britt practices General Surgery and Bariatric Surgery at Marshall Medical Centers and also serves as a physician and Medical Director for the Marshall Wound Healing Center.

Finding a Home at Marshall Medical

After finishing his training more than 20 years ago, Dr. Britt began looking for a place to practice.

“Back then, jobs were everywhere,” he says. “I drew a two-hour circle on a map around Chattanooga and started talking to hospitals in the area.”

He visited several towns in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, but Marshall Medical Centers stood out.

“I met Dr. Groves when I first came here, and he was very busy and said he needed help. I felt like I could establish a practice really fast, and I have never looked back.”

Dr. Britt has now been caring for Marshall County patients for 22 years.

Life Lessons on Repeat

Dr. Britt is a collector of quotes, storing his favorites in a section on his phone. Many come from his mentors in medical school and residency—people whose voices still guide him.

“A lot of my mentors live rent-free in my head, and I hear their advice almost daily,” he says.

Two quotes in particular have stuck: his father’s motto, “Do it right or don’t do it at all,” and his residency chairman Dr. Philip Burns’ reminder to “Do the right thing.” He says those words are always running on a loop in his mind, both inside and outside the operating room.

Beyond the Operating Room

On a typical Saturday, Dr. Britt is likely outdoors doing yard work, relaxing at the pool, or at the gym, which he calls his best stress relief.

“I’m pretty boring,” he jokes.

But he also enjoys reading—especially works by Larry McMurtry, Cormac McCarthy, and Barry Eisler—and trading book recommendations with his patients and staff.

If the TV is on at home, it’s probably tuned to an Atlanta Braves game. He’s a lifelong fan and rarely misses a chance to watch them play. He also listens to a variety of podcasts, from medical and science-focused programs to Modern Wisdom, which he calls “fantastic.”

Family and Travel

Dr. Britt and his wife have two children: a son who is a sophomore at Samford University and a daughter in 8th grade at Guntersville Middle School. He makes time to attend their sporting events, travel together, and create family memories.

Last year, when his son graduated from high school, they traveled to London and Paris, visiting all the big tourist sites just as the Olympics were beginning.

“I took a mini semester at the University of London in college, but that was 35 years ago, so it was good to see it again,” he says. “I didn’t see any of the royals, though.”

This year, his daughter’s vote won out—they traded sightseeing for a relaxing beach trip.

A Special Office Companion

Dr. Britt’s office is home to a very popular staff member—Remi, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

“Our patients love our dog,” he says. Remi continues a tradition started by Casper, another Cavalier King Charles, who passed away earlier this year.

“The most loved ‘person’ in our office is the dog,” Dr. Britt laughs.

Whether he’s in surgery, treating complex wounds, or greeting patients alongside Remi, Dr. Britt’s approach is steady and grounded—much like his East Tennessee roots. He calls himself “just a work horse,” but his 22 years of dedicated service to Marshall County tell a deeper story.

Dr. Britt is proof that great medicine isn’t just about skill in the operating room—it’s about showing up day after day, doing the right thing, and caring for a community like it’s family. And that’s exactly what More Than Medicine is all about.