FORT WAYNE — Fort Wayne physician Brian Youn, MD, the medical director of critical care at St. Joseph Hospital, has received one of Indiana’s highest honors. Gov. Mike Pence bestowed upon Youn the rank and title of Sagamore of the Wabash in Indianapolis Monday, April 11.

Youn was joined by family members, Lutheran Health Network administrators and Fort Wayne-area business leader Tom Kelley for the presentation.

Youn, best known for the care he provides to patients at the St. Joseph Regional Burn Center, has been on the medical staff at St. Joe since 1996 and has served in a variety of leadership roles at the hospital throughout the years. He joined St. Joseph Medical Group as an intensivist in 2008. 

“Rarely a day passes that we’re not reminded of the profound impact Dr. Youn has had on the lives of so many thousands of patients and their families,” said Kenneth Jones, chief executive officer, St. Joseph Hospital.

“Few hospitals in the entire country deliver the type of care available in our burn center and he continues to play an essential role in St. Joe’s ability to continue that tradition of excellence. Considering the level of expertise he brings to this special setting, I’m hard-pressed to think of a person more deserving of this accolade.”

The burn center at St. Joe is northeastern Indiana’s only verified burn program and one of only three in the entire state. It is verified by the American College of Surgeons and the American Burn Association, a rare and elite distinction for a program offered outside of a university setting. The center provides adult and pediatric burn care. 

“It’s very rewarding to pay tribute to the heroes of patient care who would never consider drawing attention to themselves,” said Brian Bauer, chief executive officer, Lutheran Health Network. “While he may not seek the limelight, Dr. Youn’s commitment to delivering life-saving critical care warrants this prestigious recognition. Fort Wayne is truly fortunate to have a physician of his skill and integrity.”

Youn, who is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, is board certified in critical care and internal medicine, and he is a fellow in the American College of Chest Pain Physicians and the American College of Physicians. He has published extensively.