Northern Medical Hall of Fame 2008 Inductee

Monday, January 21, 2008 03:40 AM

The 2008 inductee into the Northern Medical Hall of Fame is Dr. Alvin Willis Mooney - a former Vanderhoof doctor who passed away last summer at the age of 92.

Dr. Al Mooney was honoured, posthumously, at the annual fundraising gala for the Northern Medical Programs Trust on Saturday evening.

Dr. Mooney moved to Vanderhoof in 1947 and spent 40-years practising medicine in and around the community before retiring to Stuart Lake in Fort St. James.

In honouring Dr. Mooney, Dr. Mike Moran pointed out that there were few roads in the area when Dr. Mooney first arrived and he often travelled by canoe, dogsled, snowshoes, or snowmobile to visit his patients. In addition to his black bag, Dr. Mooney would take a sleeping bag, compas, rifle and, often, a fishing rod on those visits.

Dr. Mooney was voted Citizen of the Year in Vanderhoof in 1967, received the Queen's Medal for Community Service in 1992, and, later, the Governor-General's Award for Community Service.

Dr. Moran said the former Vanderhoof physican was also a vocal supporter during the drive to build the University of Northern B.C..

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Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 03:40 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on January 21 2008 11:36 AM

Medical Hall of Fame? Like Christian Barnard? Madame Curie? Ben Casey? Doctor Kildare? Dr Who? What next? A Ice Jammed River Clearing Hall of Fame?

Posted by: Harbinger on January 21 2008 11:41 AM

Granted Dr. Mooney was above and beyond his peers, I believe he needs to be emulated in all sincerity. Hall of Fame belongs in Hollywood. Can't we think of anything original? Why not name something after him? Then his name will be on a map or on the end of someones tongue when everyone in Vanderhoof goes somewhere to do something. Name a bridge or a wing of a hospital for him so his name will be come householdish. Nuff said. Know what I'm sayin'?

Posted by: redneck on January 21 2008 12:32 PM

I happened to personally know Dr.Mooney and his wife and thought the world of them.They were the nicest people and deserving of such an award.It is to bad they never gave it to him while he was alive.Congrats to Vanderhoof for such a prestigious award with one of their own.I know Dr.Mooney is smiling down on this one.

Posted by: wildojo on January 21 2008 1:32 PM

I also knew Dr. Mooney, he was my personal physician for years. He and I sometimes had our disagreements on political matters, but I truly believe he was one of the finest physicians to ever
lay a hand on a patient. He was also a very fine man in every sense of the word, and did more for his community than anyone I know of. I'm sure there will a lasting memorial named after him in Vanderhoof sometime, but in the meantime, I think it is wonderful that he has been awarded this accolade.

P.S. Harbinger of what?--criticism??

Posted by: anniemartin on January 21 2008 6:59 PM

Good to see such a caring man get his award and I agree naming a part of the hospital after him would help keep his memory alive. He was a gentle man who 40 years ago made a very sick 4 year old feel less afraid - I never forgot and never will.

Posted by: Harbinger on January 23 2008 7:06 PM

Not criticizing. Never do. Dr. Mooney probably has done more good in an afternoon than I could have done in half my lifetime. I'm sure he was above the average. Just saying that something more than a plaque on a wall is needed.