2013-2014 Roger Fagan
DG Carolyn Johnson presented Dr. Roger Fagan his Service Above Self award
Friday, May 17, 2014
L to R Past Recipients Terry Hodskins & John Dennen, Liz Fagan & 2013-2014 Recipient Dr. Roger Fagan, Portland Club President John Marr Convener. Past Recipients Ann Lee Hussey and Carolyn Johnson.
Dr. Roger Fagan is an audiologist, practicing in Portland Me for more than 30 years and using his vocation to provide humanitarian outreach throughout his career. As a member of the first US audiology delegation to China, he help educate and train Chinese doctors in the use of modern hearing aids. Later, Dr. Fagan utilized his expertise in India, where he established a hearing aid program at the Vellore Christian Medical Hospital. These experiences prompted him to seek out Rotary to solicit support for the hospital. "Listen Up," provided used hearing aids, which Dr. Fagan refurbished and supplied to the hospital until the program could become sustainable. In 2002, Dr. Fagan and his wife, Liz Fagan (a speech-language pathologist), began a long-term relationship with two schools for the deaf in the Dominican Republic, working with other audiologists who continue to support the schools. In 2006, Dr. Fagan began working with the Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana, where he assists the hearing impaired and provides a comprehensive outreach package to the community which includes LN4 Hands and water filters.
Dr. Fagan is an active member of the Rotary Club of Portland. He is a vocal advocate for the Rotary Foundation, sharing his first-hand story of the impact of Rotary and the Foundation. He has secured 6 Matching Grants - always involving and informing Rotarians in his club and throughout our district of the work accomplished and the impact made through Foundation funds. Key components to his outreach is informing and involving others. The projects in La Romana are described in detail on his business website - with multiple references to Rotary. He works with professional organizations, distributors, and the general public to obtain hearing aids, batteries, and other materials needed to maximize the effectiveness of his work - and others' knowledge of Rotary! In expanding outreach to meet greater community needs i the DR, Dr. Fagan has expanded Rotarian involvement with the added projects to provide LN4 prosthetic hands and water filters.
Dr. Roger Fagan embodies the spirit of Service Above Self in his selfless commitment to children with hearing impairments - and their families. His volunteer and humanitarian efforts have spanned more than 20 years. He and his wife, Liz (an honorary member of his Rotary club) have traveled to the Dominican Republic 15 times since 2002 to serve children and, ultimately, their communities. Since 2006, he has provided more than 1267 people the gift of hearing. In addition, he trains audiology technicians and is implementing a training program so local nurses can give hearing assessments. Dr. Fagan's work is a family affair, after he outfits a person for hearing aids, his wife is close at hand to begin developing or improving oral language skills - a complete package providing a multi-pronged approach to meeting the need! By assessing and addressing community needs, he has encouraged expanded participation of Rotarians. Last year, a team of 18 Rotarians from multiple clubs traveled to the DF to fit 67 patients with 120 hearing aids, provide and fit 35 people with LN4 prosthetic hands, and install 80 water filters. Dr. Fagan's goal is for these programs to become self-sustaining, hence his emphasis on using solar powered batteries for hearing aids and multiple approaches for training local people to ensure self-sufficiency. his service and commitment to the people, especially children, of the DF is exemplary, long-term, sustainable, and selfless. His efforts enable so many to now lead productive lives, support their families, and improve the outlook for their community.