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In This Issue:
Aneurologist who began at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (PBBH) as an intern in 1951, H. Richard Tyler provided the cornerstones for BWH’s superb neurology program.
When Tyler came to the PBBH, the hospital contained 250 beds. Considering himself an original “Brighamite,” Tyler was BWH’s sole neurologist in 1955, and recalls how he felt he “had the best job in the country.” Over the years the hospital has grown to 716 beds and now has about 175 neurologists.
During Tyler’s 38 years as chief of Neurology, the program he began from scratch grew into a world-renowned neurology program, both in research and clinical practice. “I feel good about that accomplishment,” said Tyler. He takes great pride in seeing many of the physicians he trained taking on leadership roles at BWH and other renowned neurology programs across the nation.
Since 1988, Tyler has practiced neurology at One Brookline Place, where he keeps a full schedule and enjoys his work with patients.
Although biased, Tyler considers neurology the “queen science of medicine” and was drawn to the specialty because of the mentors he had in medical school at Washington University in St. Louis.
In appreciation of the training and support he received at Washington University Medical School, he established the “Tyler Collection” of rare books in neurology at the medical library there. This is one of the major collections of neurological texts in the world, starting with the origin of printing in the 15th century and continuing to the present.
This BWH milestone marks another milestone for Tyler. He and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June. The Tyler’s were married ten days before he began his tenure at BWH and now have four grown children and 15 grandchildren.
“The chips fell well for me,” said Tyler with a subtle grin.