DR. EDWARD VINCENT HANNIGAN

DR. EDWARD VINCENT HANNIGAN passed away Tuesday evening, August 3rd, surrounded by his wife and children, due to complications from his battle against lymphoma. Dr. Hannigan was the Frances Eastland Connally Professor in Gynecologic Oncology and the director of the division of Gynecologic Oncology as well as a pillar in the UTMB Community where he continued to care for his patients and teach his students up until the end.Dr. Hannigan was born in Brooklyn, NY, but moved to Galveston at a young age and continued to call Galveston his home throughout his life. He attended Kirwin High School and Graduated from Ball High School in 1963. He attended Texas A & M University and was subsequently accepted to medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.Dr. Hannigan graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1970. He then completed an internship in internal medicine at UTMB in 1971. Following his internship, he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy. He practiced obstetrics and gynecology at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam from 1971 to 1973 and went on to complete a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland in 1976. He and his family moved to Great Lakes, IL, where he worked at the U.S. Naval Hospital for a year. In 1977, he left Active Duty and returned to his hometown of Galveston to begin his tenure at the University of Texas Medical Branch in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Assistant Professor.He completed his fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the MD Anderson Tumor Institute in 1981. He then rejoined the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He became Associate Professor in 1984 for the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Radiation Oncology. In 1988, he became the Frances Eastland Connally Professor in Gynecologic Oncology and the director of the division of Gynecologic Oncology.Even though Dr. Hannigan left the active military when he came to UTMB, he continued his service to our country with the Naval Reserves, eventually retiring his Naval Career as a Captain.While at UTMB, Dr. Hannigan served on numerous committees and received multiple awards. He served as the Chief of Staff from 2000-2002. During his tenure, he also served on the Executive Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, the Residency Advisory Committee, the Cancer Committee and the Hospital Credentials Committee, to name a few.In the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Hannigan served in multiple positions. He was the Acting Chairman in 1988 and then became the Associate Vice Chairman from 1989 to 2007. He was the Residency Program Director from 1998-2004. He has been the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director since 2003.One of his major accomplishments while at UTMB was the establishment of the Gynecologic Oncology fellowship. The fellowship now has graduates practicing gynecologic oncology across the country.Dr. Hannigan published over 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals and wrote multiple book chapters. He was selected by his peers as a Texas Monthly "Texas Super Doctor" several times. He served as a Principal Investigator for both the Gynecologic Oncology Group and the Southwest Oncology Group. He received numerous grants while at UTMB, particularly focused on breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening programs.Dr. Hannigan has inspired generations of medical students, young physicians and patients alike. Compassionate and caring are two words that consistently describe him. He continued to teach new medical students the basics of history taking and physical examination skills. He constantly motivated young resident physicians to "do the right thing." He encouraged excellence and often cancelled planned vacations when a patient was ill in the hospital. He could be found praying with patients at their bedside, a rosary in hand for Catholic and non-Catholic patients alike. His sense of humor was legendary: his "known aliases" kept the transcription department busy attempting to find "new" faculty members on a regular basis. Those who worked with him and were treated by him will miss him greatly. He made the world a better place with his tireless dedication to his patients, family and friends.When not at work, Edward was a voracious reader and had recently become an avid wood worker, spending much time in his woodshop. His sense of humor was forever an inspiration and a key factor in the development of his family. He was a die-hard Aggie, a wealth of knowledge on any subject, and a devoted "Chief" to his four grandchildren. He was a devout Catholic and a member of the Third Order of the Carmelites.Edward is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Mary Kathryn Hannigan; his sons and daughters-in-law, Casey and Stephanie Hannigan, Patrick and Aubrey Hannigan, and Brendan and Christina Hannigan; and his grandchildren, Regan, Colin, Keller and Quinn Hannigan. In addition, he is survived by his brothers, Raymond Hannigan, Richard Hannigan and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Raymond Hannigan. Edward also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who were an important part of his life.A visitation will be held Thursday, August 5th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, at 4:00 P.M. with a Rosary to follow at 6:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, August 6th, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Dickinson, TX with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive guests following the burial service at 5:00 P.M., Friday, August 6th, at the Pelican Club in Galveston for all friends and family.The family would like to acknowledge the kindness and support of Edward's colleague, especially Dr. Lyuba Levine, Dr. Gwyn Richardson, Dr. Yvette Williams, Dr. Gary Hankins, Dr. Russ Snyder, Dr. Martin Colman, Dr. Sunny Hatch and Pam Nicolini.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to establish the Dr. Edward V. Hannigan Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology. Memorial donations can be sent to the University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Attention: Mr. Doug Butler, 301 University Boulevard, Route 0587, Galveston, TX 77555.