Adeline Fagan, a 28 year old Houston doctor, died from complications of COVID-19 on September 19.
Her family confirmed her death on her GoFundMe page.
In a statement written by Adeline’s father, Brandon, he expressed gratitude and thanks for all the prayers and encouragement.
“The time the world stopped for a moment and will never be the same.
Our beautiful daughter, sister, friend, physician, Adeline Marie Fagan, MD passed away.”“We want to sincerely thank all who supported Adeline and us through this difficult time. You were all there cheering and praying and crying. The number of well wishes and caring people humbles us. Even in this darkest of times, there are good people willing to share a piece of themselves for the sake of another.”
“If you can do one thing, be an “Adeline” in the world. 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.”
“We love you, Adeline, with all our hearts. ♥️”
Background
Fagan was born and raised in Lafayette, New York, south of Syracuse.
At a young age, she realized she wanted to be a doctor.
She graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and attended medical school in Buffalo.
Fagan was just beginning her second year of an OB-GYN residency in Houston.
She delighted in her work, regardless of how grueling or long the hours could be.
Occasionally, she would rotate to the ER to assist in caring for COVID-19 patients.
Overnight, Dr. Adeline Fagan succumbed to COVID19. Another bright light gone too soon. At 28, her fellow obgyn residents knew her as radiating kindness.
To her sisters and family, I grieve with you.
To my fellow healthcare workers, please continue to be careful. She is us. 😥 pic.twitter.com/rLSX3jMxbP
— Jesse O’Shea MD, MSc (@JesseOSheaMD) September 19, 2020
COVID-19 Diagnosis
Fagan lived with her sister in Houston, and her COVID symptoms began in early July.
Intense flu-like symptoms resulted in a week-long hospital stay.
Throughout the summer, doctors tried various therapies and drugs on Fagan, but nothing worked.
She was put on a ventilator on August 3.
Adeline Fagan’s Family
The GoFundMe page was established by her sister for her medical bills.
Also, it was intended to help her family’s expenses.
Her parents traveled to and from Syracuse; and while her father could continue to work remotely from Houston, her mother could not.
To date, $180,165 have been raised on the page.
Medical Professionals And COVID-19
As of September 20, 703 medical professionals have died from COVID-19 according to the CDC, including Dr. Rebecca Shadowen.
Shadowen was an infectious disease specialist in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
She died from COVID-19 on September 11.
"I'm praying that people will listen to her," .@GovAndyBeshear is honoring Bowling Green's Dr. Rebecca Shadowen, an infectious disease specialist w/ Med Center Health who passed away from COVID-19 on Friday. "You want to know why you should wear a mask? For her." https://t.co/IPGxLT9V98
— Aaron L Mudd (@BGDN_edbeat) September 14, 2020
Early on in the pandemic, in mid-March, Shadowen encouraged people on social media to wear masks.
Her colleague, Dennis Chaney, said Shadowen tirelessly tried to educate the public.
“Look folks, this isn’t politics. This is science. I heard her say that many times.”
She also advocated hand washing and social distancing and wanted her Bowling Green community to be a model for how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Shadowen was diagnosed with COVID-19 in May and suffered complications for the next four months.
When she felt well enough, she would continue to use her voice to let people know the dangers of COVID-19.
Shadowen was 62 years old.
Her husband and adult daughter also contracted COVID-19, presumably from a home health aide caring for Shadowen’s mother-in-law.
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