After Decades of Dedication to the Tiniest Patients, Dr. Carl D'Angio Retires from Neonatology
When Dr. Carl D’Angio walked into the NICU as a pediatrics intern, he didn’t know it would shape the rest of his life. He quickly fell in love—with the medicine, the procedures, and most of all, the patients. “Neonatologists tend to be people who use their hands,” he says. “And I loved everything about it.” Repeated experiences throughout his training, both in the NICU and in other pediatric settings, confirmed what his heart already knew: He belonged with newborns.
Blending Patient Care and Research
D’Angio’s early passion evolved into a remarkable career defined by both steadfast commitment to care and a drive to advance the field of neonatology. After completing residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1987, D’Angio spent a formative year in London and three years serving with the Indian Health Service. Even when his work took him outside of the NICU, he found himself longing to be caring for newborns. “That’s when I decided that I would make neonatology my career.”
A pivotal milestone came during his neonatology fellowship at URMC in the early 1990s, where the blend of long nights, increased responsibility, and hands-on care shaped his philosophy as both a clinician and scientist. “As exhausting as it was, being the one responsible—[for] the wins and the losses—that was one of the highlights of my career.” It was also during his fellowship that he discovered his passion for research. He designed his own clinical investigation, and although he began in a laboratory setting, he eventually chose to pursue research that was closer to the bedside. “The reason I came to neonatology was patient care. What kept me there was the ability to develop research and new therapies to help the kids. This really started me on the rest of my career.”
In 2011, D’Angio became the principal investigator for the combined Rochester-Buffalo Neonatal Research Network, a national consortium of more than a dozen institutions conducting large-scale clinical trials to improve newborn care. For the next 12 years, he led cooperative research that shaped practice across the country. “Being able to work with other experts from across the nation who were interested in the same things was an incredible opportunity.”
In 2015, he was named Chief of the Division of Neonatology at Golisano Children’s Hospital. For the past nine years, he’s not only led a nationally recognized division, he’s championed the growth of his faculty with humility and grace. “What I’ve always told my team is that to lead them is to support them. Supporting their clinical work, their research, their teaching—that has meant the world to me.”
“Carl is a thoughtful mentor and staunch supporter of our division, as well as a truly exceptional person,” says Dr. Colby Day, medical director of the Golisano Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“A major highlight of my work has been being at an institution that is highly collaborative. The people in Rochester are ‘East Coast driven and Midwest nice,’” D’Angio remarks. “They’re ambitious, focused, and kind. It’s been really special being able to work in such a place.”
Witnessing Progress in Neonatal Care
D’Angio has also witnessed extraordinary advancements in neonatology throughout his career. When he began, a 24-week baby was at the very edge of viability. Today, babies born at 22 weeks now have survival rates similar to those of 24-weekers in the early 1990s, sometimes even higher. The evolution in ventilator technology, supportive therapies, unit design, and family services has been significant. “When you’re in the trenches day-to-day, it's hard to see the change. But when you step back, the transformation is staggering.”
The Golisano Children’s Hospital NICU cares for approximately 1,200 newborns each year and is the only one of its kind in the Finger Lakes region. Under D’Angio’s leadership, the Division of Neonatology
has earned national recognition from U.S. News & World Report in six of the last eight years, ranking among the top 50 neonatology programs in the country.
Among the many moments that stand out is one from his fellowship days: He still remembers a tiny 24-week patient. When the infant reached a full kilogram—a huge milestone— D’Angio fashioned a miniature dumbbell from formula bottle caps and a tiny piece of malleable metal to mark the occasion. “It was a small gesture, but emblematic of what caring for these kids is about: celebrating every bit of progress.”
Looking Ahead
Now, after decades of service at GCH, D’Angio is embarking on a new chapter: He and his wife are moving to Maine to be closer to their children and four grandchildren. And, in an inspiring second act, he is pursuing a new calling—training to become an Episcopal minister. D’Angio also believes the Neonatology division is in great hands with its new leader, Dr. Hitesh Deshmukh.
“I can think of no one better than Dr. Deshmukh to lead the division forward. His expertise as a physician-scientist, his kindness and collaborative spirit, and his deep commitment to advancing both patient care and discovery make him uniquely suited for this role.”
