Dr. Isa Sejdinaj, a pioneering cardiovascular surgeon, was born in the small farming village of Ostreni, Albania, and at an early age recognized the importance of education.
Dr. Sejdinaj died Tuesday at Sherman Hospital in Elgin. He was 77.
“His family was very poor, and he realized the importance of a good education,” said son John Sejdinaj. “He worked his way through school and then attended the Graz Medical School in Austria.”
After graduation from Medical School, Dr. Sejdinaj came to the United States and completed his medical residence at Hines Veterans Administration Hospital in Maywood.
After his residency, Dr. Sejdinaj served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas.
In 1960, Dr. Sejdinaj settled in Elgin with his wife, Irene Sejdinaj, whom he had met while attending medical school in Austria.
Irene Sejdinaj, a native of Yugoslavia, is also a doctor, specializing in anesthesiology.
Dr. Sejdinaj assisted in performing the first open-heart surgery at Sherman Hospital, his son said, and was involved the first heart pacemaker implantation at the hospital.
“My dad was very good with people, he had a good bedside manner and was a very caring person,” said John Sejdinaj. “Around the house he was always working and brushing up on current medical procedures. He was a very practical and hard-working man.”
Once situated in America, Dr. Sejdinaj helped half a dozen of his relatives leave Albania and settle in the United States.
Dr. Sejdinaj retired in 1987 after practicing for 27 years at Sherman Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin. His wife also retired at the same time.
Other survivors include two daughters, Iris Muhr and Ingrid Kloppenborg; a sister; two brothers; and six grandchildren.
Private services were held in Elgin.
