A Life of Service, Surgery, and Generosity

Ray E. Murphy Jr., MD, FACS, devoted his life to service—first to his country and then to generations of patients and colleagues. He also transformed his lifetime of service into a legacy of generosity to the House of Surgery.

Trained as a surgeon at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Murphy went on to practice general and vascular surgery in Broward County, Florida, for nearly 3 decades. He was a founding physician at North Broward Medical Center and later served as chief of surgery and chief of staff.

A World War II Navy veteran and former medical officer in both the US Army and US Air Force, Dr. Murphy carried a deep sense of duty into every chapter of his life. Among his proudest professional affiliations was his Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons, an organization he held in the highest esteem and regarded as a cornerstone of surgical excellence, ethics, and lifelong learning.

That respect was reflected in his philanthropy. Dr. Murphy and his wife, Ann Payne Murphy, thoughtfully established a charitable trust, naming the ACS as one of its beneficiaries. Their planned gift reflects a shared commitment to the future of the profession and a deep belief in supporting the mission and values of the ACS through enduring generosity.

Dr. Murphy’s story also highlights the importance of sharing estate planning intentions with the ACS Foundation. Doing so allows donors to be recognized and celebrated during their lifetime as members of the Mayne Heritage Society and witness the impact of their generosity during their lifetime.

The Murphys’ investment in the ACS reflects a deep belief in the profession of surgery and serves as a lasting example of how thoughtful planning can extend one’s impact well beyond a lifetime.