Carlow doctor Jim Madden was a healthcare pioneer

FOR almost 50 years, the name of Dr Jim Madden has been synonymous with healthcare in Carlow and the wider south-eastern region – first as a renowned dentist and later, the driving force behind a state-of-the-art cancer facility on the outskirts of Waterford city.

In fact, Jim’s entrepreneurial approach to healthcare in general and more specifically to the treatment of cancer changed the way patients all over Ireland are treated today.

It was he who advocated the expansion of private healthcare facilities and clinics through capital projects driven by private enterprise availing of government-backed tax incentive schemes, leading to the creation of world-class facilities all over Ireland.

He was particularly dissatisfied with the lack of cancer treatment facilities in the south-east, which put enormous pressure on already gravely ill people to travel long distances for treatment.

With that in mind, he conceived and developed Whitfield Clinic and Whitfield Cancer Centre in Waterford. Prior to the opening of those facilities, both he and his wife, Mary, travelled to Pittsburgh in the USA, to secure support from a leading healthcare provider in the treatment of cancer.

Acting alone and without support from any state or private agency but through their tenacity and unwavering resolve, the couple negotiated with and secured support from a world leader in cancer treatment, UPMC, at the Waterford facility.

That partnership marked the beginning of UPMC’s presence in Ireland and laid the foundations for what has since become one of Ireland’s leading healthcare providers.

Over the past two decades, Whitfield Cancer Centre has treated more than 30,000 patients, a lasting testament to Jim’s vision that world-class cancer care should be available to all. By bringing together government, private investment and world leading clinical expertise, Jim created a model which has had a lasting impact on Irish healthcare and will be of benefit for generations to come.

Even in retirement, Jim did’t stop researching, planning and investigating ways to improve the health of others. For years, he had also advocated for the establishment of a primary care facility for Carlow. As recently as late last year, he had gone so far as to engage with construction firms with a view to building such a facility on the outskirts of the town. In addition, he also continued to expand the dental practice he first set up in Carlow in the late 1970s. Today, the Dental Suite operates surgeries in Carlow town, Athy, Co Kildare; Rathdrum, Co Wicklow; and two locations in Dublin.

However, despite his medical background, business acumen and obvious entrepreneurial spirit, Jim was a man who loved nothing better than being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and dentist.

Son of the late John and Nell Madden, who owned a shop on Kilree Street, Bagenalstown, Jim was born in November 1948, the only son among five children. At six years of age, he began working alongside his father, developing an extraordinary work ethic as well as an exceptional head for numbers. His remarkable ability to perform complex mental arithmetic earned him the affectionate family nickname the ‘human calculator.’ His late father was a well-known greyhound breeder and it was while working alongside his father that Jim also developed a love for the sport. While working in England, he went so far as to engage the renowned greyhound trainer Adam Jackson to train dogs that he owned and later, on his return to Ireland, accompanied his father and cousins to the famous White City racetrack in London on a number of occasions to watch the English greyhound derby.

A past pupil of the de la Salle, Bagenalstown and Rockwell College, Tipperary, Jim graduated from University College Dublin with a bachelor of dental surgery (BDS).

He met his future wife Mary (née Keegan) at a dance in Carlow Rugby Football Club and the couple married in Holy Family Church, Askea on 12 June 1976 – the first couple to do so following the opening of the church earlier that month.

They moved to the UK where Jim began his dental career, but true to his entrepreneurial style, Jim bought his first clinic from the dentist he was working for after just six weeks, as he couldn’t accept having to give the practice owner 50% of his earnings.

Jim and Mary later returned to Carlow and built a home, Ballylennon House on the outskirts of Carlow, where they had three daughters ‒ Orna, Emma and Amy. For over four decades, along with various other interests, he ran a successful and busy dental practice, where he became known not only for his clinical excellence but also for the manner in which he treated all his patients – with kindness dignity and compassion – regardless of their circumstances. He was often heard to remark he could not abide anyone being left in pain.

Despite his busy professional life, Jim was happiest at home with Mary and “the three girls”, as he affectionately called them. He loved reading. learning, writing, discussing new projects or ideas and mentoring others. His notebooks were filled with carefully considered plans, business ideas and strategies, all he fully intended to implement.

In addition to greyhound racing, Jim was also passionate about sport, in particular golf and horse racing, but especially Leinster rugby and soccer. As an ardent supporter of Manchester United, he took great pleasure in phoning his son-in-law Keith Hynes, an avid Liverpool fan, whenever United got the upper hand.

He also believed passionately in education, hard work and resilience. His work ethic was unquestionable – he could be seen daily walking to his surgery shortly after 8am and not finishing until after 5.30pm or later. A devoted father, he took great pride in his daughters’ achievements and encouraged them to strive to be the best version of themselves in whatever they did.

Equally, he was an immensely proud grandfather to his grandson Samuel James and granddaughter Ellie, speaking to them on a daily basis and passing on the same encouragement to them as he had to his daughters.

Jim died peacefully following a short illness at the Mater University Hospital, Dublin on Sunday 5 July, much to the shock of all who knew him. His requiem Mass, celebrated by his cousin Fr Liam Merrigan, PP, Monasterevin, assisted by Fr Tom Little, PP, Askea, was held in the Holy Family Church, Askea where he was married, and a private cremation was held afterwards in Dublin.

He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Orna, Emma and Amy, son-in-law Keith, grandchildren Samuel James and Ellie, extended family, close friends and former patients.