Calvin Dixon, M.D., is forever grateful to his parents for inspiring his love for learning. The youngest of five children, he was born and raised on the east side of Fort Worth in the Stop Six neighborhood, named for being the sixth stop on an interurban streetcar system from Fort Worth to Dallas. At that time, many of the Black residents in this racially segregated neighborhood lived in poverty, but families felt it was a safe and nurturing environment and a good place to raise children.
A Lifelong Dedication to Learning and Medicine
Dr. Dixon’s father, a construction worker, and his mother, a housewife and part-time domestic worker, worked tirelessly to support and encourage their children to strengthen their minds through learning. “My father had a fourth-grade education, and my mother lacked one year from completing high school. They knew education was the pathway to success for Black children growing up in a segregated society in the 1950s and 60s, and they wanted their children to get as much education as possible,” he said.
His parents insisted that all their children attend college. Dr. Dixon attended public schools from elementary to high school and participated in extracurricular activities. “My mother took on extra work to buy a trumpet so I could perform in elementary school orchestra and helped me buy football shoes so I could play football. She motivated me, encouraged me, and provided the groundwork for my faith,” he said.
While a teen, Dr. Dixon traveled with his mother from Fort Worth to the Dallas VA Medical Center to visit his grandfather, who was dying of lung cancer. He recalls the moment when he recognized his future aspirations. “I remember while standing there by his bedside, I made a short prayer to let me help people with this kind of cancer when I grew up,” he said.
From Humble Beginnings to National Scholar
In 1967, with a National Merit/Achievement Scholarship in hand, he arrived at the University of Chicago, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. Longing to return to Texas to be closer to his family, he was accepted to UT Southwestern Medical School and received a National Medical Fellowship scholarship to offset his tuition. “UT Southwestern is world-class,” he said. “The research is groundbreaking, the faculty is well respected, and the level of education is superb. UT Southwestern students are a step ahead of everyone else.”
After earning his medical degree in 1975, he completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, followed by a pulmonary fellowship at UT Southwestern. He and his wife, Daisy, then moved to Houston where she pursued a master’s degree in public health, and he joined the faculty of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He had become the physician he always imagined he could be, now actively treating patients with lung cancer and other respiratory problems.
In 1983, the Dixons returned to North Texas, where they planted deep roots. Dr. Dixon joined a group practice and went into solo practice two years later as a pulmonologist. He became affiliated with Methodist Dallas Medical Center, where he cared for patients and served in leadership roles on various committees and boards until his retirement in 2019.
“I am thankful that I am able to provide scholarships and see my gift in action. I knew I would not be able to attend college or medical school without scholarships, which lessened the burden and the worry about paying for my education.”
Dr. Calvin Dixon
The Power of Medical Scholarships: Dr. Dixon’s Lasting Legacy
Grateful for the scholarships that helped him achieve his dreams, the UT Southwestern alumnus wanted to do more to help the next generation of medical students. He became a member of The Wildenthal Society by creating a charitable gift annuity through Southwestern Medical Foundation to support best-in-class medical education at UT Southwestern.
“Dr. Dixon’s generous investment in scholarships is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of education,” said Michael McMahan, President and CEO of Southwestern Medical Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for his dedication to supporting future medical leaders, and for the opportunity to honor his impact.”
“I am thankful that I am able to provide scholarships and see my gift in action,” he said. “I knew I would not be able to attend college or medical school without scholarships, which lessened the burden and the worry about paying for my education.”
The couple is enjoying an active retirement in Midlothian, a small city located 25 miles southwest of Dallas. Dr. Dixon is an avid cyclist who spends most of his time bicycling and participating in bicycle rallies in surrounding towns and states. He volunteers at a local hospital and clothing shelter and continues to learn through CME and bible courses. The Dixons enjoy traveling and love spending time with their son Junior, an attorney in Alexandria, Virginia, and daughter Dwan, a nurse educator at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano.
They encourage the next generation of medical leaders and innovators to reach for the stars. “You are at the greatest school with the finest faculty, so it is up to you to complete that by being the best you can be,” said Dr. Dixon.