Dr. Desmond DelGiacco, Critical Care Leader at Saratoga Hospital, Has Died
Saratoga Hospital is mourning the loss of Dr. Desmond DelGiacco, who founded the hospital’s critical care medicine program and led it for decades. DelGiacco died at home Jan. 19.
“Every advance we’ve made in critical care medicine—adding specialists, investing in technology and continually adopting Delgiacco new best practices—can be traced to Des,” Saratoga Hospital President and CEO Angelo G. Calbone said. “Saratoga Hospital would not be what it is today without his determination to bring the best care to this hospital and this community. His impact has been immeasurable.”
A pulmonologist, Dr. DelGiacco joined Saratoga Hospital in 1981 and quickly became among its most respected and beloved physicians. His extraordinary contributions to critical care are acknowledged in the name of the hospital’s Marylou Whitney and Desmond DelGiacco, MD, Intensive Care Unit.
To patients and their families, DelGiacco was a compassionate, dedicated physician and staunch advocate. His colleagues knew him as an exceptional clinician who was always willing to share his expertise as a teacher and mentor. In appreciation for his outstanding service to them, their patients, the hospital and the community, Saratoga Hospital medical staff honored him with their community service award.
“Des was brilliant, kind and generous. Anyone who worked with him learned from him,” said Dr. Kevin Dooley, president of the Saratoga Hospital medical staff. “He was an amazing physician and human being, and we are all better for having known him.”
Most recently, DelGiacco served as senior medical director for clinical services and medical staff quality and education, a role that extended his influence beyond critical care to all medical services—and all patients.
A graduate of Albany Medical College, Dr. DelGiacco completed an internship and residency at Miriam Hospital/Brown University School of Medicine and a fellowship at Albany Medical Center. In addition to his roles at Saratoga Hospital, he served as medical director of Saratoga County Public Health Services and medical director of Saratoga County Chest Clinic.