Meet the Mooney's | Heroes for Today

Willingway Hospital began with a simple vision — to help the suffering alcoholics and drug addicts find sobriety.

During the 1950s, Dr. John Mooney was a well-respected physician with a flourishing practice in the small, quaint town of Statesboro, GA. He and his wife, Dot, had three children, all boys, and, for all practical purposes, appeared to be a normal family. They were active in church, the PTA and other community organizations. But Dr. John and Dot had a secret — they were addicted to alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers and narcotics. Over a period of years, they were admitted to various hospitals and institutions, receiving many types of chemical and psychiatric therapy.

In 1959, Dr. John found himself standing before his hometown Judge charged with writing illegal prescriptions. He was sentenced to six months the U. S. Public Health Service Hospital in Lexington, KY. What appeared to be a devastating turn of events for the Mooney family would later prove to be their starting point.

Dr. John returned home a changed man. Dot was also able to give up her habits and together they embarked on a recovery journey that would change their lives and the lives of thousands of others like them.

The couple began traveling and meeting with others in recovery. Dr. John was able to use his medical skills to help others suffering with addiction. Word soon traveled that a small-town Georgia doctor knew how to help people get sober in a warm, compassionate environment. It wasn’t long before people came from everywhere bringing loved once for advice, evaluation and treatment. So many people came for help that the county hospital was unable to keep up with the requests for detoxification beds. Unwilling to turn anyone away, Dr. John and Mrs. Dot decided to receive patients in their home, reserving the hospital beds for the most critically ill patients.

Consequently, their home became a boarding house and treatment center.  The dining room became the in-house detox area; many patients awoke to find themselves under the glowing lights of a chandelier. Over time, that chandelier has become a symbol of hope and inspiration. Even today, a chandelier hangs in the Willingway Hospital detox unit.

Patients were treated as part of the extended family, and thrived under the supervision and interaction with the Mooney family, their many recovering friends and co-workers.  Their home was always busy, once having 26 people under the same roof!

As time went by, a unique treatment program emerged. Patients were treated with dignity and encouraged to take the necessary time out of their busy lives to concentrate solely on their recovery. Dr. John provided counseling for the men while Dot counseled the women. They held group sessions and developed an educational lecture series.

Eventually, they recognized the need for expansion. At first, they simply made plans to add a wing to their home. But then the neighbors spoke up — although they expressed complete support for the Mooney’s newfound happiness and desire to help others, they did not want a permanent treatment center in the middle of their quiet neighborhood. 

The City of Statesboro and the Small Business Association suggested a freestanding hospital. Recognizing the growing need for hospitals specializing in the treatment of alcoholism and drug dependency, Dr. and Mrs. Mooney agreed. They had already developed a successful program. Their genuine love, understanding, and concern for each patient is still the basis of Willingway’s philosophy today.

Willingway has been in operation as a licensed hospital since August 11, 1971, and is among the original alcohol and drug facilities accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

The hospital has retained the family atmosphere and believes this to be a valuable asset. Staff sensitivity and the close, personal staff-to-patient interactions are important reasons as to why Willingway continues to be one of the most recommended treatment centers in the country.  Willingway has treated thousands from every region of the United States and several foreign countries.

Doctor and Mrs. Mooney dedicated their lives to educating, preventing, and treating alcoholism and drug dependency. Both became well-known and respected experts in the addiction medicine field. In 1982, the couple stepped down as Director and Associate Director of Willingway.

Their four children, Dr. Al J. Mooney, III, Jimmy Mooney, Dr. Bobby Mooney, and Carol Lind (Mooney) Bryan have since comprised the Willingway Board of Directors and stay actively involved in all hospital operations, continuing their parents’ vision of helping the suffering alcoholics and addicts find sobriety.