A specialist in general surgery, breast cancer surgery, and surgical oncology, Robert G Somers, MD became the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the formerly named Einstein Medical Center, where he established the renowned breast surgery program, which paved the way for nationally ranked breast cancer care. As a pioneer in organ transplants in the 1960s, Dr. Somers helped shape the program and brought state-of-the-art treatments to the hospital, including performing one of the first successful lumpectomies in the region. This chair recognizes and perpetuates the ideals and work of Dr. Somers by providing funding for educational, programmatic, and research initiatives in the discipline of surgery.