Eventually his father influenced him to pursue a career in medicine, and Brent decided to study plastic surgery so that he could employ his artistic background within that field.
Following his internship at the University of Michigan, Brent entered the U.S. Army as a general medical officer and served one year with the 101st Airborne Division.
As an avid naturalist, Brent is a member of the Society of Animal Artists and has created sculptures of numerous of birds and mammals.
He has coauthored, edited, and/or collaborated on several books: Brent specialized in ear reconstruction and had a private practice in Woodside, California.
He was named Clinician of the Year in 2005 by the American Association of Plastic Surgeons[3] Several of Brent's earliest and notable patients were famous kidnap victims who had their ears amputated and sent along with ransom notes.