2005 Flame of Hope Award – Owen M. Rennert, M.D.

Owen M. Rennert, M.D.

Owen M. Rennert, M.D. currently serves as Scientific Director, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and Professor Emeritus at Georgetown University. Dr. Rennert received his undergraduate and medical school education at the University of Chicago. Remaining at his alma mater, he served as a resident in pediatrics and completed his postdoctoral fellowship in biochemistry. 

Dr. Rennert is an internationally recognized molecular geneticist, publishing over 150 articles in the medical literature and serving on numerous editorial boards. His work has had significant impact on improving the diagnosis and treatment of children with heritable diseases. 

Dr. Rennert is the immediate past chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University Medical Center, having served at the helm for a decade. Under his leadership the Department made significant advances in research and international outreach endeavors. Recognizing the difficulty many parents had in getting accessible care, Dr. Rennert championed the creation of the Kids Mobile Medical Clinic at Georgetown. His leadership and guidance was invaluable to the formation of the program and the healthcare needs of the children of the District of Columbia. 

A recipient of numerous awards for his outstanding work, Dr. Rennert was named 1994 Washingtonian of the Year by the Washingtonian magazine and 1996 Top Doctor. His academic honors include the Alumni Award for Distinguished Services, University of Chicago; Clinical Scientist of the Year, American Association of Clinical Science; and the Faculty Development Award, University of Florida. 

To honor the memory of their late son Ian, Owen and Sandy Rennert established a lectureship in pediatric oncology at Georgetown. The Department of Pediatrics is gratified to call this talented clinician and researcher a loyal friend.