Friends, family, former colleagues and grateful patients of Dr. Bob Quinlan recently gathered for the naming of the Bob M. Quinlan, MD Breast Center. The new signage was unveiled with a ribbon cutting on the fifth floor of the ACC building, with Dr. Quinlan as the honored guest.
Friends, family, former colleagues and grateful patients of Dr. Bob Quinlan recently gathered for the naming of the Bob M. Quinlan, MD Breast Center. The new signage was unveiled with a ribbon cutting on the fifth floor of the ACC building, with Dr. Quinlan as the honored guest.
Quinlan served as Breast Center Director until 2014 and was instrumental in obtaining accreditation in 2012 by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. After retiring from surgery, he served as the first patient experience officer at UMass Memorial Health. Throughout the course of his distinguished 35 years of care, Quinlan cared for tens of thousands of patients and their families.
Thanks to the support of many generous donors, the Bob M. Quinlan, MD Breast Center Endowment will support the Breast Center in perpetuity, with more than $525,000 raised so far of the $1 million goal. “Bob had a gift in how he truly cared for his patients, how he taught generations of surgeons the lessons of being a compassionate, caring physician – all aspects of a medical career you cannot find in text books,” said Dr. Eric Dickson, President & CEO of UMass Memorial Health. “His time spent teaching trainees, collaborating with colleagues, mentoring others, is invaluable. His reputation spread far beyond the medical center, and we’ll always be grateful for his amazing commitment to our patients and to our caregivers.”
He is well-known for his surgical expertise, but friends and colleagues said his kindness and compassion have left an unforgettable mark on the organization, and on his patients. "I have the privilege of seeing many of the patients Bob has cared for through the years who often remember him fondly," said Kathy Edmiston, MD, Quinlan's successor as Director of the Comprehensive Breast Center. "Just last week a patient treated by Bob more than 15 years ago commented on his expert care and empathy. This is a regular occurrence."
"Dr. Quinlan’s surgical skill was not limited to breast care; it included the pancreas, liver, spleen, biliary tract and the esophagus – breadth rarely seen in practice today. Because of Dr. Quinlan’s surgical expertise, inquisitive mind, and innate compassion, he excelled in all three areas of academic medicine – patient care, teaching and research,” said Dr. Michael Gustafson, President of UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Following the unveiling, friends and colleagues were invited to a reception at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester, where they continued to honor the impact Quinlan has made on the UMass community and beyond.
Exclusive Health Care Provider for the Worcester Red Sox.