Physician
After graduating from Scarsdale High School, George McCracken matriculated at Williams College and Cornell University Medical College. Following his residency and two years at the National Institute of Health, McCracken joined the pediatric faculty at the University of Texas. With the exception of some visiting professorships, he has been there ever since.
McCracken is engaged in clinical research, teaching and patient management in pediatric infectious disease. His official title is The Glaxosmithkline Distinguished Professor of Pediatric Infectious Disease. He holds the Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Chair in Pediatric Infectious Disease.
As of February, 2006, McCracken has had 437 manuscripts published, 57 book chapters to his credit and more than 220 presentations at national medical conferences. Among the topics he has explored are the treatment of bacterial meningitis and the clinical pharmacology of antimicrobial agents in infants and children. Since 1982, McCracken has been the Chief Editor of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
He is also an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Society for Infectious Diseases.
He has received almost as many honors as he has given professional speeches. Since the turn of the century, the honors bestowed on McCracken could turn the head of a less modest man. Here is a sampling. In 2001 he was the recipient of the Distinguished Physician Award for lifetime achievement in research and training from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. In 2003 he received the Bicentennial Medal from his Alma Mater, Williams College, for distinguished accomplishment in pediatric medicine. In the same year he was inducted into the International Pediatric Hall of Fame. In 2004 McCracken received the Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific achievement from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. In 2005 he was presented with the Sumner J. Yaffe Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Pharmacology and therapeutics.
Most people in George McCracken’s class were retired by their 50th reunion. It is no wonder that McCracken continues in his calling.