Magdalena Całczyńska-Prašek (born 20 December 1887 in Sanok, died 30 July 1969 in Zagreb) was a pioneer in the field of paediatrics and her life was a testimony of dedication and courage, especially in difficult historical times.

She was born into a family with a strong educational tradition. Her father, Jan Karol Całczyński, was a gymnasium professor, which certainly influenced her scientific and academic interests. Magdalena began her studies at the Faculty of Medicine at Lvov University and obtained her medical diploma at the University of Vienna in 1912, where also on 22 December of that year her promotion to the doctor of medical sciences took place.

A year after receiving her degree, in 1913, she married Emil Prašek, a native of Bohemia. Their life was soon afterwards dominated by the events of the First World War. In 1915, they moved to Sarajevo, where Magdalena Całczyńska-Prašek became the first paediatrician in the city.

In 1921, as her husband obtained employment in Zagreb, Całczyńska-Prašek and her family moved to Zagreb, where she continued her work and research in paediatrics.

Magdalena Całczyńska-Prašek was awarded the Righteous Among the Nations medal for her humanitarian work, especially during World War II. In 1998, she was also awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for her services to Poland and the Polish diaspora.

Magdalena Całczyńska-Prašek died on 30 July 1969 in Zagreb. She was buried in the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb.