Dr. James “Charlie” Mahoney worked in the intensive care unit at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York for nearly four decades. His lengthy career saw him care for patients through the HIV/AIDS epidemic, through 9/11, through the swine flu and he felt like it was finally time to take it easy. In fact, he was planning his retirement during a trip he took with his family in January, but decided to postpone it when COVID-19 hit New York. He refused to abandon his community in their time of need. Sadly, he never got the chance to retire because he contracted the virus while treating patients in mid-April. Dr. Mahoney passed away on April 27, 2020 at age 62.

Here are 3 things that you should know about him.

Strong work ethic 

By age 8, he was working three jobs, at a deli, a luncheonette and a laundromat with his older brother Melvin. By the time he was a teenager, Mahoney was a skilled athlete who wanted to be a baseball player. But he set his sights on becoming a doctor while accompanying Melvin on a trip to a Long Island hospital.

It's incredible for me to find out that Dr. Mahoney also worked night shifts at Kings County Hospital Center, across the street from SUNY. Sometimes he even slept there according to Melvin.

His friend, colleague and his boss, Dr. Robert Foronjy described the last few months of his life with vivid detail.

He was attending the ICU when the first wave hit us, and he worked tirelessly. He would work day. He would work night. I know he was exhausted, but I know he took great pride in what he was doing and felt a tremendous sense of satisfaction out of helping the community at such a time of need, - Dr. Robert Foronjy

Incredible dedication to his community

He knew about the increased risk of him contracting the virus resulting from his advanced age, but he was undeterred. SUNY Downstate, a largely underfunded state-run hospital, serves low-income, minority neighborhoods in Brooklyn. There are over 40,000 COVID-19 cases in Brooklyn, and the virus hit black and Latino communities the hardest.

Dr. Mahoney was passionate about serving his community.  He declined many better-paying opportunities to work in private hospitals according to his sister, Saundra Chisholm. 

He got his satisfaction in life in helping people, out of serving others, out of making someone's load a little lighter, - Dr. Robert Foronjy

The legacy he leaves behind

Mahoney was known for mentoring young doctors, giving his personal cellphone number to his patients, and befriending everyone in the hospital, from his boss to the janitors and gift shop cashiers. 

He was a hero, who made an enormous impact in his community. Even in death, his work continues to have an impact on medicine because of the years he spent training and mentoring up-and-coming doctors according to Dr. Foronjy.

There are two hospitals crying. Nonstop...I’ve heard men crying like you wouldn’t believe. That’s how much they loved my brother, - Dr. Melvin Mahoney

Undated photograph by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Dr. Robert Foronjy, front left, next to Dr. Mahoney

James “Charlie” Mahoney, center, is pictured in an undated photograph by Saundra Chisholm

Undated photograph by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Mahoney is survived by three children, former spouse, four siblings, his father and a longtime girlfriend, a nurse. He is the latest health-care worker to die on the front lines in New York, the pandemic’s epicenter.

I salute all the healthcare workers on the front lines in every country of the world for your dedication and the sacrifices you have made. Everyone cannot thank you enough.

This also is an opportunity for all of us to take a step back, and to reflect on our own lives. How would you like to be remembered by future generations? I think it was best said in a song that came to mind.

There's people on the street
Ain't got enough to eat
You just shake your head
The measure of a man is one who lends a hand
That's what my father said, - Vince Gill (What You Give Away)

Cover photo: Dr. James “Charlie” Mahoney by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University