Dr. Rajni Kalagate
Medical Honoree

Dr. Kalagate is a rheumatologist practicing in Southwest Fort Worth. She went to medical school in India, where she received several awards for securing the highest scores among her peers.  She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship training in Rheumatology at the Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA. She is well regarded in the Ft Worth community and has received the Top Doctor award by the Fort Worth Magazine multiple times. 

Dr. Kalagate's fascination with immune system disorders since medical school led her to gravitate towards a career in rheumatology. She says "It is interesting to explore the clinical challenges of diagnosing and managing rheumatic illnesses. Recent progress in drug development has played a big role in improving quality of life for our patients. This is an exciting time to be a rheumatologist"! 
Her practice philosophy in addition to treatment with medications, includes empowering her patients to take control of their lives, and provide guidance on living with a chronic illness. She believes in the role of nutrition, exercise, stress-reduction and adequate sleep to help immune well- being. 

" The best part of my work is the immense satisfaction derived from having the opportunity to be  part of the lives of so many courageous, resilient people. To be able to help them walk, dance, run, climb a mountain.....all while living with a chronic autoimmune disorder is both an exhilarating and humbling experience".

Dr. Kalagate lives in Fort Worth with her husband and two young children. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and photography.

Frank Renda
Adult Honoree

After 22 years in the Marine Corps, Frank Renda found himself suffering from a variety of symptoms that quickly were getting worse. After being told that his lungs were scarred, had congestive heart failure, and only days to live – it was a medical student who came to the rescue and was able to diagnose him. He had dermatomyositis – one of the over 100 diseases under the Arthritis Foundation umbrella. 

After being given his last rites, he found the courage and determination to pull through with the right treatments and physical therapy. With two years of rehabilitation under this belt, Frank was medically discharged from the military. Like the majority of medical discharges from the military, his rheumatoid condition was the cause. In fact, one in three people in the military suffer from Arthritis. 

Now, at 51 years old, Frank has found enthusiasm for new passions in his life despite his consistent symptoms that make everyday life more difficult. He has built a life-size R2D2 and shows her off at Star Wars-related events and conventions. He worked for a time at Radio Shack. And, now, he finds time to participate in Camp Gladiator two times per day. 

With 1 son, 2 stepdaughters, and 6 grandchildren, he tries not let his disease get in the way of spending time with family and enjoying his hobbies.