John P. Donohue M.D.

John Patrick Donohue, M.D. age 77, of Melbourne Beach, FL, passed away on September 4th, 2008 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Dr. Donohue was born on Christmas Day, 1930, in Pelham, NY. He was the second child of Gerald and Agnes (Carmody) Donohue. On September 24, 1960, he married Rosemary Therese (O'Brian) Donohue, with whom he shared four children. Dr. Donohue received an A.B. in Greek Honors cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in 1954 and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1958. He completed initial surgical training at the New York Hospital and from 1960 to 1961, he was Ship's Surgeon, US Navy, Aircraft Carrier USS Wasp. He received urologic training as a resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, under Dr. Wyland Ledbetter. Following residency he joined the faculty of Indiana University School of Medicine in l965. He became a full professor in 1970 and Chairman of the Department of Urology in 1971, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 1998. In 1989 Indiana University named him Distinguished Professor. The Donohue Lectureship, an annual program at the IU School of Medicine, was created after his retirement, followed by the Donohue Visiting Professorship in 2000. Colleagues, students and grateful patients created a philanthropically funded endowment in 2004 to establish the John P. Donohue Chair in Urology honoring Dr. Donohue's commitment to scholarship and patient care. As chairman of the Department of Urology, Dr. Donohue was an inspiration for countless medical students, residents, and fellows. His love of teaching, intellectual clarity, honesty, and capabilities as a busy surgeon were infectious. Many careers in urologic surgery began with a chance introduction to Dr. Donohue, and there was always a great willingness to apportion some of his time for advice regarding career paths. Dr. Donohue's leadership in education and clinical care was recognized throughout his career at the national and international levels. He is best known for the contributions he has made to the treatment of testicular carcinoma, notably his surgical technique for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. With modifications pioneered at Indiana University, his technique continues to be the standard. As a result of Dr. Donohue's work, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center has accumulated the world's largest body of experience in testicular carcinoma treatment, with over 3,000 patients having undergone retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Under Dr. Donohue's leadership, the clinical research expertise he developed in the treatment of testicular, bladder, kidney and prostate cancers became the cornerstone for the creation of the Indiana University Cancer Center in l992. Dr. Donohue's accomplishments as a clinician, academician, and educator in urology earned him many awards. Among his most honored were multiple outstanding teaching awards voted upon by medical students. Other awards included the Barringer medal of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons, the Hugh Hampton Young award, the Ramon Guiteras award of the American Urologic Association and the Keyes Medal of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons. He was also honored to receive the Sanctae Crucis Award from the College of the Holy Cross for a lifetime of service. His many professional leadership roles include The Society of Urologic Oncology (President), Société Internationale d'Urologie (President, U.S. Section), and the American Board of Urology (Chairman, Credentials Committee). He authored and co-authored 230 scientific journal articles, 130 academic chapters and published two books during his career at Indiana University. Aside from continuing involvement in his profession, Dr. Donohue enjoyed gardening, boating, travel, golf and spending time with his grandchildren. He participated in various church ministries and particularly enjoyed the prison ministry where he taught math. He dedicated his life to serving others and he would often be heard asking others "How can I be of help?" Dr. Donohue is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rosemary, and four children, Eileen Blanzy, Bridget Donohue, Margaret (Leonard) DeFrancisci, and John (Becky) Donohue. He is also survived by seven grandchildren as well as his brother Gerald (Belle) Donohue and sister Nancy (James) Reid. He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Agnes Donohue. Visitation will take place on Monday, September 8th at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne, FL from 6:30 to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass will take place at Immaculate Conception at 10 a.m. in Melbourne Beach. Burial will follow Mass at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Palm Bay. In lieu of flowers, the family of John P. Donohue, M.D. requests donations be made to the Indiana University School of Medicine - Agnes Carmody Donohue Fellowship. Please make memorial gifts payable to the "IU Foundation" and mail to IU School of Medicine, Indiana University Foundation, P. O. Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245. Please indicate "In memory of John P. Donohue, M.D." on your gift.