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As a cardiothoracic surgeon, David Calandra touched the hearts of all he came in contact with, both in and outside the operating room.
A Hinsdale resident and doctor for Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospitals, Calandra, 52, died May 5 of complications after being diagnosed with leukemia a little more than a year ago.
| David Brian Calandra, M.D. SURVIVED BY Wife, Marcia J. Calandra; daughters, Ashley, Nicole, Michelle and Patricia Calandra; brother, Joseph D., M.D. (Mary) Calandra; sisters, Susan (Tom) Sylvester and Carolyn (Tom) Selsor. MEMORIALS In lieu of flowers, memorials to Start With The Heart, David B. Calandra, c/o Dominion, P.O. Box 3859, Lisle, IL 60532 ON THE WEB www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidcalandra |
Upon returning from a mission trip to Ecuador, Calandra was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia on Valentine’s Day 2007. After undergoing extensive chemotherapy as well as a stem-cell transplant, he was on the road to recovery. A bone marrow biopsy done in mid-March revealed Calandra was in remission.
Dr. Gary Lipinski, regional vice president/co-chief medical officer, Adventist Midwest Health, said Calandra had sent a letter that he was coming home in mid-April and intended to start seeing patients again. But while recovering in Florida, Calandra bumped his leg getting out of the pool, which led to bruising and tenderness. When the family returned home to Hinsdale April 14, the leg became worse and Calandra was admitted at Loyola University Medical Center. Calandra had picked up a very rare pseudofungus and later died.
“Dr. Calandra was very compassionate and patients loved him. No matter what time of day it was he was always available here for consults,” Lipinski said. “He was just our rock for patients who required heart surgery.”
Calandra was the first recipient of the Juan Angelats, M.D. service award which Lipinski nominated him for last summer. The award recognizes a physician who is not only an outstanding clinician, but gives back to the community. From mission trips to Ethiopia and Ghana to dressing up as Santa Claus and distributing gifts and food to the sick and homeless, Calandra will be remembered for his service.
John Rapp, regional vice president of ministries and mission at Adventist Midwest Health, traveled with Calandra and a clinical team of 35 employees on a mission trip to Santo Domingo Ecuador in January 2007. Rapp said Calandra was always the first guy up in the morning ready to go and the last one who went to bed at night.
Rapp will always remember him for his energy, compassion and patience.
“Dave Calandra lived our mission all day, every day,” Rapp said. “Not only here in our community but internationally as well.”
As a cardiothoracic surgeon, David Calandra touched the hearts of all he came in contact with, both in and outside the operating room.
A Hinsdale resident and doctor for Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospitals, Calandra, 52, died May 5 of complications after being diagnosed with leukemia a little more than a year ago.
| David Brian Calandra, M.D. SURVIVED BY Wife, Marcia J. Calandra; daughters, Ashley, Nicole, Michelle and Patricia Calandra; brother, Joseph D., M.D. (Mary) Calandra; sisters, Susan (Tom) Sylvester and Carolyn (Tom) Selsor. MEMORIALS In lieu of flowers, memorials to Start With The Heart, David B. Calandra, c/o Dominion, P.O. Box 3859, Lisle, IL 60532 ON THE WEB www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidcalandra |
Upon returning from a mission trip to Ecuador, Calandra was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia on Valentine’s Day 2007. After undergoing extensive chemotherapy as well as a stem-cell transplant, he was on the road to recovery. A bone marrow biopsy done in mid-March revealed Calandra was in remission.
Dr. Gary Lipinski, regional vice president/co-chief medical officer, Adventist Midwest Health, said Calandra had sent a letter that he was coming home in mid-April and intended to start seeing patients again. But while recovering in Florida, Calandra bumped his leg getting out of the pool, which led to bruising and tenderness. When the family returned home to Hinsdale April 14, the leg became worse and Calandra was admitted at Loyola University Medical Center. Calandra had picked up a very rare pseudofungus and later died.
“Dr. Calandra was very compassionate and patients loved him. No matter what time of day it was he was always available here for consults,” Lipinski said. “He was just our rock for patients who required heart surgery.”
Calandra was the first recipient of the Juan Angelats, M.D. service award which Lipinski nominated him for last summer. The award recognizes a physician who is not only an outstanding clinician, but gives back to the community. From mission trips to Ethiopia and Ghana to dressing up as Santa Claus and distributing gifts and food to the sick and homeless, Calandra will be remembered for his service.
John Rapp, regional vice president of ministries and mission at Adventist Midwest Health, traveled with Calandra and a clinical team of 35 employees on a mission trip to Santo Domingo Ecuador in January 2007. Rapp said Calandra was always the first guy up in the morning ready to go and the last one who went to bed at night.
Rapp will always remember him for his energy, compassion and patience.
“Dave Calandra lived our mission all day, every day,” Rapp said. “Not only here in our community but internationally as well.”
