CHAPEL HILL: Patricia Townsend Meador age 52, of Chapel Hill died on September 3, 2008 after a brief illness. Patricia was nationally recognized as a leader in health law and was a partner at K&L Gates in Research Triangle Park.
Patricia was the beloved wife of 30 years of Keith G. Meador, MD, ThM, MPH and the mother of three children, Hannah, John and Catherine, all of Chapel Hill, who survive. Patricia was born in Lansing, MI to Eugene Field and Yvonne Townsend, who preceded her in death. She is also survived by her two sisters and two brothers and their families: Eugene Skip Field Townsend, III and his wife Linda of San Carlos, CA; Elizabeth Townsend Gordon and her husband Tracy, of Lansing, MI; David Townsend and his wife Lynette of Rochester Hills, MI; Karen Ann Townsend-Salvaggio and her husband Anthony of Raleigh; and six nieces and one nephew.
Patricia received her B.S.N. summa cum laude at Vanderbilt University in 1978. She graduated magna cum laude from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville in 1982 and earned an M.P.H. from the University of North Carolina in 1989. She previously served as medical center legal counsel for Duke University and was a partner at Bass, Berry and Sims law firm in Nashville, Tennessee. A member of the Bar Association in both North Carolina and Tennessee, Patricia represented a broad spectrum of health care clients, with a focus on health care regulatory, compliance and operational issues. She advised hospitals and health systems, academic medical centers, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, multi and single specialty physician groups, and other ancillary health care providers. She has served as Chair of the Health Law Section of the American Bar Association and of the Academic Medical Center Committee of the American Health Lawyers Association. In 2007 she was selected as a Fellow of the American Health Lawyers. She was named to the “North Carolina Super Lawyers,” and was listed as a “Best Lawyer in America”, Health Care Law, 2007-2008 and among the Top 50 Women in Health Care Law in 2008
Patricia was above all a loving and generous wife, mother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held at the Church of the Holy Family, 200 Hayes Rd. in Chapel Hill from 5:30 – 7:30 PM on Saturday. A service to celebrate and commemorate her life will be 3:00 PM Sunday, also at the Church of the Holy Family. Private burial will follow the funeral. Donations in Patricia’s memory may be made to: The Patricia Townsend Meador Memorial Health Law and Nursing Fund, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727.
Paul and Phyllis Immanuel
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amDear Keith:
We are sorry to learn of your loss. Paul and I are praying for you and your family, especially that you all will feel HIS everlasting arms underneath, and the deep comfort of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord bless you,
Phyllis and Paul Immanuel
Debbie Colpitts
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amYou are all in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Patricia was a wonderful, strong mom! We are here for you.
Love the COLPITTS
Brenda and Doug Hale
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amKeith, Hannah, John and Catherine,
Your Tennessee friends are saddened with you. What a wonderful legacy Patricia has left. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Brenda and Doug Hale and Family
Joyce Laben
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amI was stunned to hear of her sudden death. I remember her as an outstanding student. It is a great loss to her family and community.
Joyce K. Laben, JD,MSN,APRN,BC,FAAN
Professor Emerita, Vanderbilt University
Elizabeth & Bill Minkoff
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amPlease accept my deep condolences and sympathy at your family’s loss.
I worked with Patricia briefly at Bass, Berry & Sims and have keep in contact over the years as inhouse counsel. Her loss will be felt heavily in the health care community by friends and colleagues.
Patricia had the ability to make time in her very busy schedule to keep in touch.
Please accept our sympathy and prayers.
Caitlin McCormick
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amDear Hannah and family,
I am so sorry for your most untimely loss. Your mother was always such a kind, warm and hospitable woman who always made me feel welcome at your home. I remember the good luck notes she would write to Hannah for our biology tests as well as her support at all our tennis matches. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help in any way.
Sincerely,
Caitlin McCormick
Karen Ellis
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amI have wonderful memories of getting to know Patricia while she was here at BBS. Foremost was all the laughter we shared. Being with her was always uplifting. She loved her family so much. I am deeply sorry for you loss.
Karen
Elizabeth Warren
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amI am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Patricia briefly at BBS and will miss her greatly.
Jim Cheek
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amIt was with tremendous sense of sadness that I learned of our shared loss of Patricia. Yet it is with equal joy that I reflect back on our many years together in practice and her awesome spirit and intelligence that carried her so ably to the forefront of her profession. Her legacy lives still today here as the early guiding light to our thriving healthcare practice but as importantly all of us continue to benefit from the character and good humor and connectivity she demonstrated every day while she was a part of our firm. She has been missed every day since she left for North Carolina and we will continue to celebrate and miss her as we move forward. Our condolences to Keith and all her family for whom she had much love. Jim
Susan Giamportone
September 5, 2008 at 12:00 amHow fortunate I am to have known the incredible Patricia Meador. As a new associate at her former firm, Womble Carlyle, I benefited greatly from her leadership, her guidance and, most of all, her example. She put her heart, soul and spirit into everything she did, and she shared her knowledge and insight so generously with all of us she mentored, both professionally and personally. And though she was a serious, force-to-be-reckoned-with lawyer, she knew how to how fun. One of my favorite memories is of Patricia laughing hysterically as she pushed Mary Beth wildly down the hallways in a leather office chair, at top speed, leaving the other competitors in the dust, as they raced their way to victory in our Office Olympics. How sorely she will be missed.
Bernis Woodward
September 6, 2008 at 12:00 amKeith, I was at your wedding and thought you and Patty had a wonderful marriage with 3 beautiful children. My few contacts with Patty revealed many wonderful traits, one of which she was the best “listener” I have known. When you talked with her it appeared that Patty’s only thoughts was dedicated to you. Your second cousin.
H. Gray Southern
September 6, 2008 at 12:00 amKeith, I was truly saddened to hear your news. As someone who has always appreciated your many gifts–and heard you once speak so proudly of your wife–I pray that the same graces you’ve offered others live within you now more than ever.
Gray
Gary Solomon
September 6, 2008 at 12:00 amDear Keith,
I was sorry to hear of Patricia’s death; my thoughts are with you in your grief.
Your friend,
Gary Solomon
Virginia Dirschl
September 6, 2008 at 12:00 amDear Keith, Hannah, John, and Catherine,
Our hearts go out to you at this time of sorrow. May God give you the strength to find peace and hope through it all. Patricia had a wonderful impact upon so many. She will be missed.
Much love, Virginia and Doug Dirschl
Jeff Hammond
September 6, 2008 at 12:00 amWhat a large loss for all who care about health law! May God grant you grace and peace to meet the days to come.
Brian and Jane Swenson
September 6, 2008 at 12:00 amDear Keith, We are saddened to learn of your loss. May your faith sustain you in the coming days. Sincerely, Brian and Jane Swenson
Joe, LaReeca, Sarah and Elizabeth James
September 7, 2008 at 12:00 amWe loved her dearly. Please know we are here for you and will always be praying for each of you as you go through these days.
Betsy Merlin Gregory
September 7, 2008 at 12:00 amAs a former Vanderbilt classmate, BSN 1978, I remember Patricia as our class President. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family.
Joel Broughton
September 7, 2008 at 12:00 amKeith, Even though miles and time have seperated us, the memories of our youth still brighten my mind. Patty was indeed a wonderful person. I was proud to call her cousin. I am deeply saddened today.
Richard Jones
September 8, 2008 at 12:00 amKeith:
Words are not adequate to soothe the grief and shock I know you and your children are experiencing.This world does give us some events that are so hard to face.Yet we have a Savior who is closer than a brother and a present help in a time of need.The Lord bless you and your family in this time. Heaven can only be sweeter for you today.
Michael S. Peek
September 8, 2008 at 12:00 amPatricia was a wonderful person and an exceptional lawyer. I know how much she loved and valued her family and I send my condolences to each member of her family during this time of loss.
Julie Jones
September 8, 2008 at 12:00 amMy first memory Patricia was when I had the pleasure of interviewing her when she applied to join BBS. Her obvious intelligence, humor, and ability to connect in a charming and sincere way convinced me within about 5 minutes that she was someone we wanted at our firm. As high as my expections were, she exceeded them. It is hard to believe she is gone. My deepest sympathy to Keith, the children and her entire family, as well as the many others who loved her and whose lives were enriched by her.
John and Shirley Gerken
September 8, 2008 at 12:00 amDear Keith and family,
We were shocked and distressed to learn of Patricia’s death. Though we have not met you, Beth speaks very highly of you all. She is especially pleased to have the opportunity to work with you and we are so pleased that you have provided that opportunity for her. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all the family.
Blessings to you all.
John and Shirley Gerken
Philip L. Pomerance
September 9, 2008 at 12:00 amI was stunned and deeply saddened to learn of Patricia’s passing. She was a good friend and a wise counsellor in our work with the American Health Lawyers Association and the Tennessee Bar Association. She will be missed. My condolences and best thoughts to her family.
Carol Munger Jones
September 13, 2008 at 12:00 amKeith,
I was so saddened and shocked to hear of Patty’s death. I remember getting to know Patty first as my classmate at Vanderbilt and then better as my roommate that first year in Louisville after we graduated. She was such an accomplished, genuine, kind, and above all Christian woman. I know that you and your family miss her greatly and will have a fantastic reunion someday in heaven. May God sustain and comfort you in the weeks and months ahead. You will be in my prayers.
Peterson
December 5, 2008 at 12:00 amDear Keith and family, I have just found out this late date about Patti’s death. I have special memories of our days at Vanderbilt and even one evening trip up into Kentucky after too many hours in the Medical Library to visit Keith during our Senior Year of nursing school. I remember holding the twins when they were just a few weeks old. I also remember a visit to North Carolina many years ago. So many years have passed and I had you all on my mind. I found out today from another classmate to look this web site up. I am deeply sad to find out so late but want to share my thoughts and prayers with you before this Advent Season is over. Patti was such a wonderful classmate and friend. Love, Bonnie Jane Myers Peterson
Barbara Bosma Garlock
March 2, 2009 at 12:00 amOh noooo! I just heard the news, but with no details – and am shocked and heartbroken. Someone as vital – in every sense – as Patricia???
I am so sorry, so deeply sorry, for all who loved this extraordinary woman.
You all will remain in my prayers – my heart is with you.
To Keith, I especially send warm and yet achingly sorrowful thoughts – I know you and Patricia were amazing together. I thank you for the Theology of Health care class I enjoyed with you at Duke Div – I’d always hoped for an opportunity to work together in some capacity but cancer changed my plans at Duke.
What a terrible challenge. I am so sorry.
I send prayers for peace and comfort …
Love and grace,
Barbara
Barbara Garlock