McClain Receives Golden Pin Award

Dr. Kenneth L. McClain, MD, PhD, Co‑Director of the Histiocytosis Program at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center, has been awarded the Golden Pin Award, the highest honor from the Histiocyte Society.

The lifetime achievement award recognizes Dr. McClain’s sustained, global impact on the care of patients with histiocytic disorders. His work has helped shape international treatment standards through leadership of multicenter clinical trials, advances in understanding disease biology, and a long‑standing commitment to mentoring the next generation of specialists in the field.

Dr. McClain directs Texas Children’s Histiocytosis Program and the Pediatric Lymphoma‑Histiocytosis Fellowship Program, and serves as a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology‑Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine. Over his career, he has led international trials that defined treatment protocols for histiocytic disorders and built a training pipeline that has prepared specialists now practicing worldwide.

Presented during the Society’s 41st Annual Meeting in Seattle, the Golden Pin Award is reserved for individuals whose careers have fundamentally influenced how histiocytic disorders are diagnosed and treated. The award was presented by Dr. Carl Allen, Co‑Director of the Histiocytosis Program, during the Society’s Annual Banquet.

Founded in 1985, the Histiocyte Society is the leading international organization dedicated to histiocytic disorders, bringing together clinicians and researchers to establish globally recognized diagnostic and treatment guidelines.

Dr. McClain’s recognition reflects the international reach of Texas Children’s Histiocytosis Program and its leadership in advancing care for children with rare and complex immune diseases.

Learn more about Texas Children’s Histiocytosis Program.