Moya Cole facts for kids

Moya Cole was an important doctor from Northern Ireland. She was born on August 31, 1918, and passed away on May 16, 2004. She was known for her work as a medical doctor, a cancer researcher, and an expert in her field.

Her Early Life and Education

Moya Cole was born in County Cavan. She went to primary schools in Carrickfergus and Portrush. Later, she attended Coleraine High School and Methodist College Belfast.

In 1939, she earned a degree in Physics from Queen's University, Belfast. She then completed her master's degree there just one year later.

From 1941 to 1943, Moya taught at Portadown College. After that, she returned to Queen's University. She earned her medical degree (MB) in 1948. While at Queen's, she was a leader for student groups. She was President of the Student Christian Movement and the Students' Representative Council.

Her Career as a Doctor

Between 1949 and 1950, Moya Cole worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast and the Maternity Hospital. In 1950, she earned a special diploma in obstetrics. After this, she moved to Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute in Manchester. There, she worked as a radiologist until she retired in 1983.

A radiologist is a doctor who uses imaging like X-rays to diagnose and treat diseases. She earned another diploma in Radiology Therapy in 1952. The next year, she received her MD (Doctor of Medicine) from Queen's University. In 1954, she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR). This is a high honor for radiologists.

In 1971, Dr. Cole started St Ann's Hospices in Heald Green. A hospice is a special place that provides care for people who are very ill. She was the medical director there. In 1983, she became the chair of the management committee. She stayed in that role until 1991.

Dr. Cole also did important medical research. She wrote papers about caring for people at the end of their lives. She also wrote about breast cancer. She published important work on using radiation to treat cervical cancer. She also helped write the first paper about a medicine called tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer.

Awards and Her Legacy

After she retired from St Ann's Hospice, a special unit was named after her. It was called the Moya Cole Day Care Centre.

Moya Cole passed away on May 16, 2004, in Newcastle, County Down. She was 85 years old. She died from problems related to Parkinson's disease.

In 1990, she was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This is a special award from the British government for people who have done great things.