Class of 2024 Hall of Fame

The Humanitarian Work of James Murphy M.D. ’58

For decades, otolaryngologist James Murphy, M.D. ’58 ran a thriving medical practice in Kearny, N.J.  A high point of his early career was serving as medical director at St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Ghana. In 2007, Dr. Murphy closed his practice and with his wife, Cyndy, moved to Tamale, Ghana. For 15 years he worked tirelessly on the development of the official ENT clinic, all while helping to save the lives of the patients. Dr. Murphy returned to the U.S. in 2022 and continues to support the work of Ghanaian physicians.

“We were taught at St. Benedict’s that there was a loving God that wants you to help others,” Dr. Murphy said when he accepted the Medal of St. Benedict’s. That credo led the physician to Ghana for 15 years where he served and was also immersed in a culture of kindness and generosity.  He concluded by stating, “I can only hope I made a difference in their lives as they did in mine.”