Dr. Patricia Cook Moynihan

April 26, 1935 - July 30, 2012

Dr. Patricia Cook Moynihan, of Franklin, TN, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on July 30th, 2012. Dr. Moynihan was preceded in death by her parents: Rupert and Mary Cook; her husband: James O. Moynihan Sr.; and by her son: David Patrick Moynihan.

Dr. Moynihan is survived by her sons: James O. (Anita) Moynihan Jr. of Delray Beach, FL, and John Christopher (Carla) Moynihan of Brentwood, TN; and six grandchildren: Laurel, Ashley, Katie (Will), Christopher, Cameron and Carly.

The life of Dr. Moynihan will be celebrated at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Brentwood First United Methodist Church, 309 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN. Rev. Kaye Harvey will officiate the celebration. Inurnment will follow in the Prayer Garden at the church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the narthex. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family and is in charge of arrangements.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Prayer Garden of Brentwood First United Methodist Church, 309 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN, 37027.

Born April 26th, 1935 in Bay Springs, MS, she received her undergraduate education at the University of Southern Mississippi and the M.D. degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She completed a general surgery residency under the legendary James Hardy, and in 1970 joined Alex Haller at Johns Hopkins University as the first female Pediatric Surgery Fellow at that institution.

Dr. Moynihan was appointed Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1972. From there she became an Associate Professor of Pediatric Surgery at Tulane Medical Center in 1978, and in 1984 was appointed Professor at Tulane University. In 1991 she joined the faculty at East Tennessee State University where she remained Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics until her retirement in 2004.

Dr. Moynihan has been an outstanding teacher and mentor throughout her academic surgery career. She has won numerous teaching awards both at Tulane and East Tennessee State University. Other awards include election to Alpha Omega Alpha, the American Women's Medical Association Scholastic Award and medallions from both the American Medical Association and the American Heart Association. Dr. Moynihan has pioneered the role of women in academic surgery, and provided hope and inspiration to many students and residents over her career.

Dr. Moynihan was a tremendously gifted surgeon who loved to heal, and healed with love. Her family is proud of her dedication and God given talents, and the love she gave to her family will always be cherished.

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