Philippines Staff Physician Robert Kalinowski dies in Chico California
Enloe medical staff leader Robert Kalinowski dies
By HEATHER HACKING - Staff Writer
Longtime Enloe Hospital medical staff leader and anesthesiologist Robert Kalinowski, 70, of Chico, California died Monday.
Dr. Kalinowski was peer-elected chief of staff at the hospital for six years, an unpaid position, and worked locally in the medical community since 1981.
From 1981 to 1986 Kalinowski was chief of the anesthesiology division at Community Hospital.
Before moving to Chico he was vice president of medical affairs at a hospital in Connecticut and professor and guest lecturer at Yale University School of Medicine.
During the 1960s and 1970s he worked to develop and help fund neighborhood health center programs including health networks where medical providers could pool their resources and reduce duplication of overhead.
Before that he worked for the Peace Corps in Manila, Philippines, arranging for health care for 200-300 Peace Corps volunteers. Later in his career he served on community service group boards, the Enloe Hospital Medical Center board and he helped organize the hospital charity golf tournament.
Enloe chief operating officer and family friend Dan Neumeister said Kalinowski was a man of "phenomenal integrity with a commitment to patients and high-quality care."
Neumeister remembers Kalinowski for his "very dry" sense of humor and "proper Bostonian" demeanor.
"He truly strove to do the right thing even when it wasn't popular," Neumeister said.
He said his friend and colleague made major contributions to the improvement of services in the area, including the cardiology program. He was also a "real advocate for the physician community when it came to some of the new federal regulation compliance programs," Neumeister said. "He made sure physicians were treated fairly."
Kalinowski was born March 9, 1933,
He died of an Alzheimer's-related illness at home Monday, with his family at his side,
His friend said he was active until the disease set in about 18 months ago.
Survivors include his wife Sandra, of Chico.
Arrangement are being handled by Brusie Funeral Home.
