Acclaimed Doctor With Ties To Groton, New London Dies In Accident

GROTON, CT — Dr. Douglas Canning, 65, of Philadelphia, an expert on rare pediatric urological conditions who grew up in Groton, died May 30 after he was severely injured in a bicycle accident, according to a statement from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Canning led the CHOP Division of Urology, one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric urology programs in the world, for 25 years.

"For decades, he served as a leader, clinician, investigator, innovator, educator, and staunch patient advocate at CHOP," the statement reads. "Known for both his passion and compassion, he was beloved by his patients and their families."

Canning is considered a world-renowned expert in bladder and cloacal exstrophy and hypospadias. In 2010, Canning and colleagues at CHOP, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin launched the Multi-Institutional Bladder Exstrophy Consortium, a group dedicated to improving care and outcomes for children with bladder exstrophy, a complex birth defect in which the bladder develops outside the fetus.

Canning was born in New London and grew up in Groton, where he attended Robert E. Fitch High School before leaving for New Hampshire to attend Dartmouth College.

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Canning received numerous professional awards and accolades recognizing his excellence in teaching and medical practice, according to the statement. He also served as president of the Society for Pediatric Urology and the Society of Academic Urologists.