As part of the hospital’s continuous efforts to offer state-of-the-art medical care in the community, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham (BID Needham) has established the Dr. Eyre Endowment Fund for the Division of Urology. Named for Robert Eyre, MD, a leader in the field for 39 years and former Chief of Urology at BID Needham, the fund aims to honor his extraordinary career and continue his legacy of excellence. The hospital has currently raised more than $370,000 from more than 100 donors for this effort, with a goal of $1 million. Together with planned gifts from several donors, the fund is nearing its goal.  

In 2009, Eyre moved his practice from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston to BID Needham to provide an advanced level of care in a new setting that offers the convenience and warmth of a community hospital. He served as Chief of Urology until 2018, and he retired in 2019. In recognition of his exemplary service, BID Needham created this fund in his name. The endowment will provide considerable resources to support leading-edge technologies and educational programs, such as lectures and continuing education, for hospital faculty and staff. “Bob has had a storied career; people have come from across the country to see him, and so many patients credit him with saving their lives,” says BID Needham President John Fogarty. “He formed strong and often lifelong relationships with his patients. We are so pleased to endow a fund in his name.”  

Eyre is a longtime resident of Wayland; he and his wife have three sons. Their oldest is an attorney in Washington, DC. Their son Stephen Eyre, MD, is the current Chair of the Division of Urology at BID Needham. Andrew Eyre, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and Medical Director of the Stratus Center for Medical Simulation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Stephen Eyre joined the staff at BID Needham in 2014. He has followed in his father’s footsteps in both providing excellent care and forming long-lasting relationships with his patients. The team continues to attract top physicians and staff. The impact of these special relationships is vital to philanthropy; opportunities are created for grateful patients to give back to facilitate hospital growth and ensure that the quality of care constantly progresses, keeping BID Needham at the forefront of medicine.

Through his decades of service, Robert Eyre had a profound effect on his patients. As such, the Dr. Eyre Endowment Fund is a leading philanthropic priority for BID Needham. “We believe that there is no better way to honor Robert Eyre’s lifesaving impact than to ensure that the legacy of his excellent work lasts for generations to come,” says Fogarty. “As the field of urology continues to advance with new technology, including robotic surgery, we are grateful to our generous donors who enable BID Needham to continue innovating.” 

Make a gift to support the Dr. Eyre Endowment Fund for the Division of Urology today. The fund will remain open until we meet our initial goal of $1,000,000.