Honoring a Legacy of Care: The Rowland Collection at Semmes Murphey Clinic

On December 16, 2025, Semmes Murphey Clinic hosted a special reception honoring the life, career, and enduring legacy of Joseph P. Rowland, MD, a neurosurgeon whose dedication to patients and commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on our organization and the communities he served.

The event marked the unveiling of The Mechanics of Healing, an exhibit featuring surgical instruments and personal memorabilia from Dr. Rowland’s career, generously donated by his family. The collection offers a tangible look at the tools and techniques that shaped neurosurgical care over decades and reflects the precision, care, and craftsmanship that defined Dr. Rowland’s work.

Dr. Rowland joined Semmes Murphey in 1971 and spent more than four decades caring for patients. He studied under Dr. Semmes, the clinic’s founder, a formative experience that shaped his approach to neurosurgery and deeply connected him to the values on which Semmes Murphey was built. He spent 43 years practicing neurosurgery in Jackson, Tennessee. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Rowland served in numerous leadership and professional roles. He was Chairman of the Board for Semmes Murphey’s Jackson location and a member of several national neurosurgical organizations, including the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (Host Committee Chairman), the Harvey Cushing Society, and the American Board of Neurological Surgeons.

The reception brought together Dr. Rowland’s family, friends, and members of the Semmes Murphey community to reflect on his impact and celebrate a life devoted to healing. In a meaningful continuation of his legacy, Dr. Rowland’s family also made a $25,000 donation to the Semmes Murphey Foundation in support of the Foundation’s mission to advance education, research, and quality neurological care.

The Mechanics of Healing will remain on display through 2026, serving as both a historical archive and a reminder of the values that continue to guide Semmes Murphey Clinic today: clinical excellence, patient-centered care, and respect for the people behind the practice.

We are grateful to the Rowland family for entrusting us with this collection and for helping preserve and share Dr. Rowland’s remarkable legacy for future generations.