Frank Fagan

“Janet loved being a nurse and enjoyed spending time with patients,” Frank Fagan recalls about his wife, who passed away from cancer in 2003. Together, with his sons, the retired teacher created a memorial scholarship to honor Janet and the work she did as a nurse at Silver Cross Hospital for 37 years. 

Each year the Janet Fagan Nursing Scholarship is awarded to two or more employees enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate level registered nursing program to help further their education and training in this ever-changing world of healthcare. 

Katie Lowe was the first recipient of the scholarship. 

“It is encouraging to know there is someone like Frank – not an anonymous donor – helping me, especially on the hard days,” Katie shared after meeting Frank during the annual luncheon when she was awarded the scholarship. “I want to make sure to put his money to good use.” 

Katie used her scholarship to earn a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education. She began her career at Silver Cross as an Intensive Care Nurse in 2013. In 2019, she joined the Nursing education team as a clinical educator for the inpatient nursing and surgical staff. Since then, she was promoted to manager of the Interventional Labs and Cardiac Diagnostics in the Procedural Care Unit. 

Frank funds the scholarships through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from his retirement account. He likes that the funds are given out in full each year and not held in an endowment. 

When asked, “What do you think Janet would think about your generosity?” Frank laughed and said, “She’d probably say I should give more.”