[1] It is given every two years by the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health to an individual who has made a "transformational contribution" in the field.

"[3] The prize is named after Dr. Frank A. Calderone, who after serving as the first deputy health commissioner of New York City from 1943 to 1946, became a leading figure in the World Health Organization (WHO) during its formative years.

[4] The following year, as the WHO grew to include 58 member countries, Dr. Calderone became the organization's Chief Technical Liaison Officer.

He was later appointed as Medical Director of the health service of the United Nations Secretariat, a position which he held from 1951 to 1954.

The award recipient is then chosen from among all nominees by a nine-member selection committee comprising, but not limited to, the following representatives:[6] Source: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health