October 26, 2009 – Philadelphia – On the occasion of its 57th Annual Harvest Ball next month, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) will announce the creation of The Robert G. Somers, MD, Chair of the Department of Surgery.

The Chair will recognize and perpetuate the ideals and work of Dr. Robert and Ronnie Somers by providing funding for medical student, resident, surgical fellow and physician education; and treatment, research and programs for breast cancer, trauma and transplantation. The establishment of the chair and the ball also celebrate the dedication and passion of two long-time members of the Einstein community.

Robert Somers literally began his life at Einstein: he was born in the former Jewish Hospital, which eventually became a part of AEHN. After completing a residency at Einstein, Dr. Somers joined Einstein’s staff as a general surgeon. He earned a well-deserved reputation as an innovative surgeon, performing his first kidney transplant in 1966 and becoming a charter member of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. Dr. Somers eventually chose to specialize in breast cancer surgery and went on to pioneer the use of lumpectomy for breast conservation in cancer patients. He also initiated a holistic approach to treat the full range of a cancer patient’s physical and emotional needs, and he played a key role in creating the Marion-Louise Saltzman Women’s Center at Einstein.

Dr. Somers is dedicated to educating residents and training future doctors at Albert Einstein Medical Center, the largest independent academic medical center in the Philadelphia region. He has had a significant impact on hundreds of young physicians and countless patients who have gone through surgery and treatment. As a teacher, healer and friend, Dr. Somers routinely sees former residents and patients throughout the course of their lives, long after their experience at Einstein.

For more than 25 years, Mrs. Ronnie Somers has contributed her time, talent and resources to improve the quality of life for both the patients at Einstein and the physicians and staff. She was president of AEHN’s Auxiliary, a group of dedicated volunteers who do community service projects, advocate for women’s health issues and raise money for various needs at Einstein. Mrs. Somers has also been a powerful force in an auxiliary subsidiary, The Breast Cancer Action Group, which works to empower women to protect their health through educational programs, advocacy events and community outreach.

Dr. and Mrs. Somers have dedicated their lives not just to medicine but to creating treatment, programs and services that help prevent, detect and treat disease, ultimately to improve the physical and emotional lives of patients, now and in the future. Their dedication has inspired so many others, including their daughter Debra, who is a physician and the director of breast imaging at Einstein.

“We congratulate Dr. and Mrs. Somers, who have shown extraordinary leadership and innovation in healthcare, healing and teaching,” said Einstein President and CEO Barry Freedman. “Their commitment to Einstein and their dedication to improving the health and well-being of so many people is an inspiration, and we are proud to honor them.”

The new Somers Chair has raised almost $1.2 million through Harvest Ball contributions and will accept ongoing donations to underwrite the cost of grand rounds, guest lecturers and conferences to educate medical students, surgical residents and fellows and attending surgeons. Proceeds of the Chair also will help launch new programs and research in surgery emphasizing work in the fields of breast cancer, trauma, and organ transplantation, which reflect Dr. Somers’ professional interests.

Einstein is the largest independent academic medical center in the Philadelphia region – the largest teaching hospital not owned or governed by a university, offering more than 600 training rotations for the region’s medical students. With its exceptionally strong accreditation status, nearly 400 residents and fellows are trained each year in the 28 different residency and fellowship programs that comprise Graduate Medical Education at Einstein.

Each year, the Harvest Ball focuses on a project that is vital to Einstein and its mission. This year the Harvest Ball gala will be held on November 7th at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.

About Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network is a 1,200 bed integrated delivery network with nearly 7,500 employees serving the communities of North Philadelphia and Montgomery County, PA. The network’s primary location, Albert Einstein Medical Center, is the largest independent academic medical center in the Delaware Valley. The Einstein network also provides a comprehensive range of healthcare services through the Einstein at Elkins Park hospital campus, MossRehab, Belmont Behavioral Health, Einstein at Germantown, Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), outpatient facilities such as Center One and Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare, and a network of primary care and specialist practices throughout the community. For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.

CONTACT: Heather Newcomb
Director of Communications, AEHN
215-456-6734
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