John R. Saunders, M.D.

Dr. Saunders was born in Lewiston, NC and entered Wake Forest College at the age of 16 to study medicine. For more than 20 years as administrator at Westbrook Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. John R. Saunders prided himself in running a tight ship, but never at the expense of his patients or staff. "He was very much of a master of getting things in good shape," said Dr. Saunders' son, John R. "Jack" Saunders Jr. of Richmond. "He appreciated order, but he appreciated the people around him and the work they did." Despite holding the top administrative post at the hospital, Dr. Saunders always maintained a patient case load equal to any of his subordinates. He arrived each day at 6 a.m. to begin his rounds.

Dr. Saunders was a member of the American Psychiatric Association and served as the Speaker of the Assembly from 1960-1961. He was president of the state chapter, formerly the Neuropsychiatric Society of Virginia and was also a past president of the National Association of Private Psychiatric Hospitals.