Dr. John Babyak, is a partner in Fifth Avenue Otolaryngologists, a medical surgical practice specializing in the diseases of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck. He attended the University of Alabama where he was a four year member of the golf team, earning a varsity letter: he was graduated with honors in 1978. Dr. Babyak earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical School. After completing a general surgery internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan he pursued his residency training at the University of Michigan Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, from 1983 through 1987 and was the chief resident during his last year. After completing one year in private practice in Ann Arbor, Dr. Babyak established his private practice in Youngstown seventeen years ago.

An active member of Forum Health, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, and Southwoods Surgical Center, Dr. Babyak serves on the Board of Directors and the Medical Executive Committee at the Southwoods Surgery Center and is the Division Chief for the Division of Otolaryngology at Forum Health. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at NEOUCOM.

At St. Charles Parish, where he is a member, he was the vice-president of the St. Charles Athletic Club. Presently, he is the secretary of the Golden Cardinals and a member of the Mooney Auction Gift Gathering Committee; and he was inducted into the Cardinal Mooney Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

He and his wife, the former Shannon O'Horo, have been married 25 years and have four children. Meghan and J.D. graduated from Cardinal Mooney in 2001. Daniel is a senior at Mooney and Ryan is a sophomore. Both are members of the 2004 Division IV State Football Championship Team.

Sr. Jane Marie Kudlacz noted that "Elena and John both reflect the ideals of Cardinal Mooney in all that that they undertake. Despite their busy professional schedules they have found time to help the students of Cardinal Mooney High School. Their presence and involvement create positive role models that our students benefit from on a daily basis.

This is the ninth year that the Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented by the Association. The awards were initiated in 1997 with presentations to Mrs. Denise DeBartolo York and Atty. Michael Morley. Subsequent awardees have included Mrs. Carole Haus Halloran, Dr. M. Frank Beck, Mrs. Susan Doyle Trewella, Mr. David Handel, Mr. Dale Gresko, Mrs. Mary Beth Gordon Gresko, Mrs. Catherine Wigley, Mr. George Farris, Mr. Ed Farris, Mr. John Farris, Sr. Patricia McNicholas, OSU, Mr. D. Joseph Fleming, Mrs. Diana Babnich Colaianni, and Fr. Stephen Popovich. Last year's awardees were Mr. Terry Reardon and Mrs. Kathy Coppola Villella.