Remembering Mario DiGirolamo, MD

It is with sadness that we share with you the passing of Mario DiGirolamo, MD, esteemed professor emeritus of medicine in the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics, on February 5, 2019.

Born in Rome, Italy, DiGirolamo immigrated to the United States in 1962 to pursue his medical career at Columbia University in New York. He relocated to Atlanta in 1968 to join the Emory School of Medicine faculty, first in in the Division of Endocrinology and later the Section of Geriatrics and Gerontology.

“When I relocated to Emory in 1996, Dr. DiGirolamo graciously stepped down as the director of the Section of Geriatrics and Gerontology and helped us in any way he could to further build the program he started,” says Joseph G. Ouslander, MD, chair of the Department of Integrated Medical Science at Florida Atlantic University. “He was the best example of a true gentleman and scholar who I have met in academic medicine.”

DiGirolamo’s medical career at Emory combined clinical care, teaching, mentoring, and the challenge of clinical research.

DiGirolamo was passionate about his family, science, faith, photography, travel, and social justice. He hosted his first solo photography exhibition at the Schatten Gallery of Emory University in 1994. He published two books of black and white images, one in 2000, entitled Sole e Ombra /Sun and Shadow, and another in 2015, entitled Visione.

“Mario was a mentor, a colleague, a patron of Italian Studies at Emory, the subject of two photographic exhibitions I co-organized with him and most of all – a friend,” says Judy Raggi Moore, director of the Italian Studies Program at Emory University. “At every turn of my career, he has generously offered advice and a patient ear. He was an excellent teacher and will continue to shine a light.”

Please join the Department of Medicine in celebrating DiGirolamo’s legacy. He will be remembered as an important pillar of Emory University, but even more so, a friend and mentor to many of us.