Saint Joseph's Grad, OB-GYN Resident Dies From Coronavirus At 28

Philadelphia PA

23 September, 2020

11:55 AM

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PHILADELPHIA — A Saint Joseph's University graduate and OB/GYN recently died from the coronavirus. Adeline Fagan, class of 2014, died in Houston, Texas Saturday. She was 28 years old. In a social media post about Fagan's passing, the school said she "lived her life as a Hawk with and for others." According to a GoFundMe page set up by her family to help with healthcare, travel, and other expenses, Fagan was starting her second year of residency as an OB/GYN physician in Texas when she got sick with the coronavirus. That was on about July 8 and by Aug. 3 she was intubated and on a ventilator. Then on Aug. 4, doctors put her on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine, which is often used in the worst coronavirus cases. According to her father, Brant Fagan, Fagan was doing well for a few days before her death. But around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, healthcare officials told the family she had a massive brain bleed that needed to be addressed. The bleed stemmed from the virus compromising her vascular system. However, her neurosurgeon said she had a "one in a million" chance to survive the procedure that would resolve the issue. Even if she did survive, the surgeon told her family she would have several severe cognitive and sensory limitations. "Everyone was crushed by the events, the nurses, the doctors, and, of course, us," her father wrote. "We spent the remaining minutes hugging, comforting, and talking to Adeline. And then the world stopped..." Brant Fagan thanked all who supported his daughter over the past months. "If you can do one thing, be an 'Adeline' in the world," he wrote. "Be passionate about helping others less fortunate, have a smile on your face, a laugh in your heart, and a Disney tune on your lips." The GoFundMe page had a $150,000 goal. As of Wednesday morning, more than $180,000 has been raised by about 3,500 people. See here to contribute.