ST. JOSEPH'S Hospital mourns 2 staffers in crash

The doctor's ex-husband is stationed in Kosovo, hospital officials said.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Physicians and staff members at St. Joseph Health Center said that before they received official news two of their colleagues had died in a commuter plane crash, they knew in their hearts the women had perished.
Several members of the medical staff said they huddled around a television set Wednesday afternoon waiting to hear information about Dr. M. Bridget Wagner and Toni Sarantino, who worked for Dr. Wagner. Both women lived in Warren.
"We all knew that we had lost them," Dr. Charles Curtis said Thursday morning at St. Joseph Health Center.
Tears filled the eyes of everyone who knew the women, Dr. Curtis said.
"I had to be told three times because I just didn't believe it," said Dr. Duke Starr. "They both were invaluable and will be truly missed."
Single mothers
The women, both single mothers, were among 13 people who were killed Tuesday night when the plane carrying them crashed in Missouri. The Corporate Airline flight was attempting to land in Kirksville. Only two people survived.
Many of the passengers, including Dr. Wagner and Sarantino, were on their way to a Wednesday conference on humanism in medicine. The conference was to be held at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Wagner, an assistant dean at Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, was the mother of three girls, ages 9, 6, and 4. Dr. Wagner worked for the university and served as a coordinator for the interns at St. Joseph.
Her ex-husband, who also is a physician, is in the military and stationed in Kosovo.
"The Red Cross was attempting to find him and notify him," Dr. Starr said.
Sarantino, whose job was to help recruit doctors to the area, was the mother of two boys, ages 9 and 7.
Loved their work
"They both loved what they did and anyone who loves what they do are good at it," Dr. Curtis said. "I got to watch Bridget grow. She started here as an intern."
Dr. Wagner did her residency at St. Joseph's in 1997, having received her degree from the OU College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1994.
He added that Dr. Wagner traveled to South America and Africa to provide medical care.
"She and Toni were wonderful, caring people," Dr. Curtis said. "Toni helped me so many times with paperwork. She helped tremendously."
Dr. Starr noted that Sarantino was instrumental in persuading him and other doctors to stay in the area and set up practice. "She was invaluable," he added.
sinkovich@vindy.com