Graduation 2006~ - Marian Catholic High School

MCHS TRIP STRETCHES TO ITALY
ADVISORY BOARD PROFILE
The first MCHS Trip took alumni,
parents and friends to "Enticing Italia"
from Lugano in the north to Positano in
the south and was punctuated by faith,
food, culture, and history. A five-day stay
in Rome ended with a Papal audience
arranged through Kim Pascarella at "All
About Travel."
Spartan travelers pause in the Lugano town square
opposite Lake Maggiore.
Our travelers before the farewell dinner at
a trattoria outside St. Mary's Travestere in
Rome. The group includes: Sr. M. Paul
McCaughey ’67, Rick Ellis, Diane Fodor ’97,
Lennea Ellis, Mary and Bill Moffatt, Shirley
Schlueter, Bea Jankauskas Fodor ’67,
Charlene Sterzel, Sarah Grauvogl, Bob
Schlueter, Pam Roe, Michelle Coduti,
Sherry Janusek Paciorek ’66, Mike
Paciorek, and tour manager "Marney".
FAGAN ’82 MENDS BROKEN HEARTS Continued from front page
Even with great technology advances in
the 21st century, the decision for surgery
on Rebaz was a very tedious one for Fagan
and his team.
Specifically, Rebaz had a heart condition
called Truncus Arteriosis, or a hole in one
of the arteries that leave the heart. To compensate,
many of the arteries around the
heart were hardening because of additional
strain. The condition should have been
treated at birth, but technology and
finances in Iraq did not allow such.
The surgery would come with some great
risks, and Fagan’s cardiac catheterization
testing and findings served as the primary
criteria on which the team of doctors made
a final decision.
“The hospital came up with a funding
system to get him here,” Fagan explained.
“We were really taking a big chance that we
would get him here and not be able to do
anything. Despite the higher risk, we
decided to perform the surgery.”
Despite a language barrier, emotional
ups and downs and at times unlikely
percentages, the two-month stay in Iowa
and eventual four-hour surgery proved very
worthwhile for Rebaz and his family.
“Though we’ve had very limited contact,
the last word was that he was doing very
well,” Fagan confirmed.
In a new millennium that hasn’t provided
a constant of world peace, it’s refreshing to
see the altruistic work of Fagan and so
many others in Iowa.
Army Ranger and Medic Corey Johnston
initiated the family contact, his mother
Cindy Yerington hosted the Shamsadeen’s
in Iowa, 63 Iowa Rotary Clubs helped fund
the trip and University of Iowa doctors
waived their medical fees.
While the worldwide impact of Fagan
and his team is monumental, the former
Spartan took things right in stride.
“My having to deal with the family and
a difficult situation all seemed to relate
back to my family background,” Fagan
explained. “My Marian Catholic education
has really been a big key in preparing me
for so many situations that arise. Marian
provided me the ability to deal with so
many situations to be helpful to others.”
Tom Fagan and his wife, Rose, have
seven children, so sports and school occupy
most of his hobby time.
With the pressures and emotions
involved in his career, Fagan probably
doesn’t get the time for himself that he
deserves. However, he appreciates every
minute of what he does.
“With technology today, you can count
on some very good outcomes that lead to a
real normal lifestyle for patients,” Fagan
explained. “There are days that are very
difficult, but the next day you see a situation
that years ago we wouldn’t have been
able to treat.
“It’s easy to keep going because you’re
helping so many people, and that makes it
worthwhile.”
D R. JOE H AMANN ’79
START OF TERM:
Fall 2003
FAMILY:
Married to Sheri Hamann for 15 years,
2 children, Angela 13 years old entering
8th grade in the fall and Abigail 10
years old entering 5th grade in the fall.
OCCUPATION:
Optometrist in solo private practice for
18 years in Lansing Illinois
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Knights of Columbus and youth
softball volunteer
INTERESTS/HOBBIES:
Playing golf and White Sox baseball, oil
painting (enjoy but not very good)
VISION FOR MCHS FUTURE:
“I see Marian Catholic as a prime
stepping stone for the young adults
of our community. We have the great
opportunity to teach and inspire our
students in a Christian atmosphere, to
bring about amazing results. Marian
offers not only unparalleled scholarship
but also fosters self-awareness, fortitude,
and leadership skills. The responsibility
is awesome; but, the people involved,
both staff and students, are unbelievable
and certainly up to the task.”
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