Mark Damian Kalna

Dr. Mark Damian Kalna, DO, 58, of Newburgh, Indiana, passed away Friday, June 23, 2017, at Deaconess Gateway. He was born August 15, 1958, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to the late Joseph and Bernardine (Iskra) Kalna.

“Don't tell me what you're going to do, show me what you did."

In 1980, Mark graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in criminology. During this time, he was being scouted and eventually was offered a contract from the Cincinnati Reds. He declined the offer, and joined the Dallas, TX police department where he served until 1988. He then became the first Dallas police officer to go to medicat school. In 1988, he graduated from The University of North Texas Health Science Center as a Doctor of Osteopathy. He then went on to complete his internship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX. During this time, Mark was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Instead of taking time off, he opted to do his Radiation/Oncology rotation while he was undergoing his treatment, turning a hardship into a learning experience. Following his internship and beating cancer, he served as a General Medical Officer in the United States Army at Fort Riley, KS. In 1996, he was Honorably discharged from the Army and began his residency in Emergency Medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA, and completed this as Chief Resident. After this, he went on to be a shining light in any Emergency Department he worked in. Mark showed the greatest compassion, empathy, skill and knowledge for his patients. For his coworkers, he showed respect regardless of position, as well as the most phenomenal corny sense of humor. Many times, he laughed harder at his own jokes than anyone around him, creating the best contagious laughter. Mark was a member of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the Knights of Columbus.

The most important things to Mark were his Faith and his Family. He was the proudest Dad, the greatest husband and the ultimate example of what a good man should be to his daughters.

Mark is survived by his wife of 19 years, Laura (Sibley) Kalna; his daughters, Madelyn and Olivia; brother, Michael (Karen) Kalna; brother, Paul (Michelle) Kalna; sister, Karen (Richard) Blum; brother, Chris Kalna, and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 29, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Church, officiated by Fr. Tyler Tenbarge. Friends may visit Wednesday, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Alexander Newburgh Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to Laura Kalna for Madelyn and Olivia’s education fund, and mailed to Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261, Newburgh, IN 47630.