2005 Flame of Hope Award — Philip L. Calcagno, MD

Philip L. Calcagno, M.D.

Philip L. Calcagno, M.D. is Professor Emeritus and founder of the academic Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Dr. Calcagno received his medical degree from Georgetown University, and completed a pediatric residency at Morrisonia City Hospital in New York City. 

Following a two-year tour of duty as a US Army physician stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, Dr. Calcagno pursued an interest in renal disease. He completed a pediatric nephrology fellowship at Buffalo Children?s Hospital where he subsequently served as a member of the faculty for 14 years. While there he published numerous articles adding to the scientific literature increasing knowledge about the parameters of renal function in premature infants. 

Dr. Calcagno was appointed the first full-time Chairman of Pediatrics at Georgetown University, School of Medicine in 1962. During his 26-year tenure, he developed over twenty-five subspecialty divisions including Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care. The academic department he nurtured is today a nationally and internationally recognized Pediatric Center. One of his most enduring contributions is the formation of the Center for Child and Human Development. Today, under the able direction of Phyllis R. Magrab, Ph.D., this Center continues as a leading program in the District of Columbia in training, advocacy and the provision of services to children with special healthcare needs. 

A recipient of numerous awards and honors, Dr. Calcagno served as President of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology in 1973 and was honored in 2001 with the Georgetown Caring for Children Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award was presented by former Surgeon General Antonia Novello, M.D. – once a student of Dr. Calcagno. Today Dr. Calcagno remains a loyal alumnus and continues to support the Georgetown University, School of Medicine Programs.