I was born at home in Emmetsburg, Iowa in 1928. The doctor said, “You have a son!” My mother didn’t know what to name me and the doctor said, “How about Roger? That’s my father’s name. It’s a fine name.” Both my parents were Irish. Mother was born Mary Margaret Mahoney. My first memories involve living in the small town in the shadow of the Assumption Parish. We lived across … [Read more...] about Roger Goes to Medical School
Fall 2022 Issue
The First Word: “I Will Fight For You”
"I'm not giving up. I'm going to stand by you and rise up. That's what we did and continue to do to beat this silent enemy: Covid."~ Lisa Kennedy, Northwell Nurse ChoirWe have showcased some terrific honorees over the years, but none more inspiring than those medical professionals profiled in this issue. The honorees on this list persevered through the toughest of times to … [Read more...] about The First Word: “I Will Fight For You”
Calling on Carrowduff
Pa Ryan's Birthplace in County ClareThe last time a Ryan stood in the low doorway of the dirt-floored byre-dwelling would have been the day before Willie Ryan passed, 7 Nov. 1967. I say the seventh instead of the eighth (the actual date of his death) because Willie was laid up with pneumonia in his kitchen, where he’d been living since the thatch roof had collapsed on the other … [Read more...] about Calling on Carrowduff
The Choir That Inspires
The Northwell Health Nurse Choir skyrocketed to fame last year on America's Got Talent. Tom Deignan Finds the Irish Connection. It is the late 1970s, and an Irish American from Queens is working at a pub that regularly features the musical stylings of Tommy Mulvihill and his band. And the crowd gets so lively at times that they join in on the singing – as does the … [Read more...] about The Choir That Inspires
“It Really Is a Crisis”
Irish Americans Confront U.S. Nursing Shortage Dr. Linda Flynn knows all too well that the COVID pandemic placed a tremendous strain on nursing staffs across the U.S. “There was so much burnout,” explains Flynn, a Washington D.C.-area native, who now serves as dean of the School of Nursing at Rutgers University. “There’s only so much trauma, and death and dying (nurses) can … [Read more...] about “It Really Is a Crisis”