Healthcare, aviation, marketing–there is no limit to the fields Prep alumni not only explore, but thrive in. Meet three Eagles with notable stories and learn about the interesting work they've done and are currently doing.
Dr. Timothy Pawlyk '87
Base Camp: Columbus, OH
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Education: M.D. and M.P.H., Tufts University School of Medicine; Masters in Theological Studies, Harvard Divinity School; Ph.D. Graduate Training Program in Clinical Investigation, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Path to Present: When examining Dr. Timothy Pawlik’s resume, much of it is to be expected of a surgeon. Medical school, residency, research, fellowships—all par for the course. But when you take a closer look, you’ll find some more unexpected qualifications, such as his master’s in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School and his certificate in science and religion from Boston Theological Institute.
Pawlik is the first to acknowledge the societal assumption that one cannot exist as a scientifically rigorous person and still be someone of deep faith or conviction. But for him? It makes perfect sense, a conclusion that stems from his time at St. John’s Prep.
“The Xaverian Brothers had a big influence on me as individuals who were deeply critical thinkers and also deeply spiritual. I think the Xaverian Brothers and the Jesuits from my time at Georgetown University really demonstrated intellectual rigor with deep faith.”
As chair of the department of surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, science and theology collide every day for the Lawrence native.
“I’m a surgeon who sees patients who have pancreatic and liver cancer, and those are serious diagnoses. I’m a scientist, so I’m trying to bring to bear evidence-based medicine to treat patients who have cancer, and then bring to bear technical expertise about trying to remove their cancers. Yet at the same time, I treat the patient and the person holistically, and not just their disease.
“There can be lots of existential questions surrounding the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer or colon cancer or liver cancer, as well as helping patients explore that ambiguity around their diagnosis, their prognosis, and even how to make sense of it,” he continues. “I think patients really appreciate someone who’s able to see both sides of the street and be scientifically rigorous, but at the same time, be with them in a more holistic way.”
With his team of approximately 120 surgeons and about 350 faculty, stafflearners, residents, and fellows, Dr. Pawlik is dedicated to delivering outstanding world-class care to his patients, while also driving innovation and discovery with the outstanding experts that surround him. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center continues to be nationally recognized for its research as well as its residency program.
Aside from his work as department chair, Pawlik has also given more than 600 talks in 40 countries on six different continents regarding his and his collaborators’ research on how to treat liver and pancreas cancer. Whether it be China, Turkey, Chile, or Egypt, Pawlik has not only had the opportunity to share his research and make connections, but build an international network of genuine friendships.
“That’s really, I think, the biggest gift of academic medicine. Those relationships and those connections. And looking back, I just can’t believe that I’ve been so lucky to go to so many places but more importantly, make good friends.”
Whether it’s conducting research, performing surgeries, overseeing the medical center’s 85 operating rooms, presenting his findings across the globe, or serving as the treasurer of the facility’s practice plan, Dr. Pawlik’s to-do list is never short. But at the end of the day, it always comes back to the patient.
“I always say everyone has a story. Try to take time to hear that story and learn about that story. This idea of getting to know people … I think that goes along with our faith too, and really understanding people’s journey has been important.”
Lt. Colonel Matthew Russel '95
Base Camp: Boston, MA
Hometown: Newburyport, MA
Education: BSE in Civil Engineering and Operations Research, Princeton University; MBA with a concentration in Finance, Boston College Carroll School of Management; National Security Strategy, Air University (USAF)
Path to Present: Lt. Col. Matthew Russell’s professional background began in civil engineering. Following his time at St. John’s Prep, he attended Princeton University on a ROTC scholarship where he earned his BSE in civil engineering and operations research. He was then commissioned by the United States Air Force, where he spent the next five years in active duty and 20 years after that in the reserve.
Inspired by the extensive aviation article in the most recent edition of Prep magazine, Russell reached out to science teacher Bro. Tim Paul, C.F.X. to speak to his Aviation Club. But his return to campus was not to talk about engineering, but rather pilots. While not a pilot himself, Russell finds himself surrounded by aviators in his current position.
“After my last assignment, I started looking for a new job: one that caught my attention was for this Aircrew Task Force. Not being a pilot at all, I knew it would be pilot-centric. But I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to apply. This looks like a good opportunity.’” Russell saw a chance to broaden his career. Along with his project management experience at corporations like Raytheon and his ability to form data-driven arguments and proposals, the task force saw that he was just the leader they needed.
The Air Force is currently facing a pilot shortage, which is why it is so essential to keep experienced pilots flying as long as possible. The Aircrew Task Force at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, is designed to do just that. In his role as Production, Absorption, and Retention Branch Chief Russell is dedicated to filling these empty positions with qualified aviators, while also keeping experienced pilots flying with the Air Force, even after their 10-year service commitment has concluded.
“Our goal is to keep people in the Air Force Reserve or the Air National Guard after their active duty. We’d been retaining pilots around 85% up until the COVID-19 pandemic. That was the peak. Since then, we’re now down to 65%, driven primarily by the post-pandemic travel boom and airline hiring binge. That’s the problem that I’ve been working on. We want to minimize the number of people who just walk away at the end of their service to move into a civilian career.”
This retention has become a key component to Russell’s work. For example, in 2025, the Aircrew Task Force will roll out a new program offering pilots the option to truncate their service from ten years to nine if they commit to an additional three in the reserve. Russell will travel to Air Force bases around the country to ask pilots for their feedback about why they may or may not choose to take advantage of this opportunity, and utilize those conversations to help make decisions for the task force. Because keeping pilots isn’t just a numbers game. It’s of the utmost importance for the safety and protection of the country.
“One of the biggest things that I had never thought about, not being a pilot and not being around pilots during my active duty, is you can’t make an experienced pilot. These pilots at seven or eight years, nine years, when they walk away, you can’t replace that pilot. You can’t say, ‘Okay, well we lost X number of experienced pilots. We just have to put more into production.’ We can’t wait seven, eight, nine years for those new guys to get that experience and all of those qualifications. If something were to happen and we went to war, we would need them now.”
With the task at hand, Russell will continue to work with his team to put trained pilots in the sky and keep experienced pilots flying in the Air Force for as long as possible.
Robb Hewett '01
Base Camp: Georgetown, MA
Hometown: Newburyport, MA
Education: BA in Hospitality Administration and Management, UMass Amherst
Path to Present: What draws you to a certain product? A certain store? A certain toothpaste, even? It’s all in a brand. Which is exactly what inspired alumnus Robb Hewett to pursue a career in the world of marketing.
“I’ve always been drawn to the idea that we can build entire personas around who we are by something as simple as which grocery store we shop at or what logo is on our t-shirt. Growing up in the action sports community—watching the throughlines between athletes, sports, events, and fans—I knew that I wanted to find a way to contribute to that intersection of brand and consumer in authentic ways that would create true, lasting brand loyalty.”
That contribution is certainly something Hewett has had the opportunity to do in his career, working with brands like Monster Energy, DC Shoes, Adrenaline Shoc Beverage, and more. You may have even seen some of his work.
“I wrote many of the can stories you can find on the side of Monster Energy cans. It always trips me out to know that many of those cans have been printed billions of times and translated into 30-plus languages.”
But brand is about more than just word choice. It’s about collaboration. At Monster Energy, where Hewett served in roles like brand manager and director of brand marketing, acquiring those partnerships were some of his favorite moments.
“We secured presenting sponsorship of the X Games and then NASCAR back-to-back years. Those were both monumental achievements for the brand, especially the NASCAR deal, which put Monster in more households than ever before.”
This past summer, Robb has taken on the role of vice president of marketing at Sprinkles, a cupcake bakery with locations nationwide, including cupcake ATMs for a unique customer experience.
“About half of the country has a total love for our bakeries and are very surprised and excited to find us on their Target run. The other half of the country that hasn’t had the experience of making it to a bakery or experiencing our brand yet, we’re still on the shelves of their local stores. They’re the ones I need to win over. My goal is to make sure they know what a unique product we have through social media content and influencers, in-store demos, signage, etc. I’m working on developing awareness almost as if it’s day one for what is otherwise a 20-year-old brand.”
While cupcakes and energy drinks may seem to live in dierent worlds, Hewett is taking his past experience to bring Sprinkles to a whole new crowd.
“I’ve had a ton of fun so far bringing the company into the world of engaging content. We’re literally making videos no dierent to how we’d make a supercross video: show engaging bits of the process, build up our flavors as icons, and distribute that to as many home bakers and chocolate fans as possible. It was a challenge at first, but has been amazing to bring new energy to how we communicate with our fans.”
This new energy is just the start for Hewett. Just this past year, the brand has launched a completely new premium line of products, “Chocolates,” and continues to expand. “Something that didn’t exist this time last year is now sold in every Target and Walmart in the country with Kroger and Albertsons. Product innovation and growth will never get old to me!”
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