Thanks to the generosity of the Nesson family, the BWH Ambulatory II Building has been named the H. Richard Nesson Ambulatory Care Center. Surrounded by friends and colleagues, Nesson’s wife, Lois, and her family listened to tributes to the late H. Richard Nesson, MD, at the Naming Ceremony held on Friday, September 8 in the Bornstein Amphitheater. The Nesson family also participated in the program, offering words in memory of their late husband and father.
The Master of Ceremonies was Jeffrey Otten, president, BWH, who led the program consisting of reflections by Eugene Braunwald, MD, vice president, Academic Programs, Partners HealthCare System, Inc.; Phyllis Jen, MD, medical director, BIMA; Beverly Woo, MD, Division of General Medicine; Samuel O. Thier, MD, CEO, Partners HealthCare System Inc.; John Connors Jr., Board chairman, Partners HealthCare System, Inc.; Thomas M. Menino, mayor, City of Boston; and Senator Edward Kennedy.
“Everything he touched was made better—all of his relationships, this great institution [BWH] and showing us the way to reach out as a society, as a community, as a neighborhood to those who need help and assistance,” said Kennedy.
Braunwald spoke about Nesson as instrumental in transforming ambulatory care into what it is today —one of the many reasons why, in his mind, the naming is so appropriate. “In Dick’s characteristically steady and most firm way, he was responsible for a paradox shift to a patient friendly, cost-effective outpatient center of care. His most important step was to recruit a new breed of physicians who shared his mindset and values. He led the way in developing teams of health professionals under his leadership to build the finest facility for ambulatory care, which we are dedicating today,” said Braunwald.
Signage for the H. Richard Nesson Ambulatory Care Center has been installed at the 45 Francis Street Entrance and the plaque will follow shortly.
Nesson was the president of BWH from 1982 to 1997 and vice president of Ambulatory and Community Health from 1979 to 1982.