Walsh’s passion for discovery, commitment to students, and enduring care for patients continue to fuel surgical innovation and excellence at the Brady.

Fifty years ago, Patrick C. Walsh, M.D., came to the Brady as its third Professor and Urologist-in-Chief and Director of the Institute. This topic was our cover story for last year’s Discovery: how he revolutionized the treatment of prostate cancer with his development of the nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy; developed a world-class team of scientists and surgeon-scientists studying urological disease; and recruited great faculty. Because thousands of patients with prostate cancer came to the Brady for treatment, and urologic surgeons from around the world came here to learn his procedure, Walsh and his wife, Peg, a brilliant interior designer, also transformed the Brady into the state-of-the-art facility it is today. His career has been exceptional. Walsh is the most cited urologist in the world and the recipient of every major national and international honor and award in his field. He is truly a luminary in urology.

Of the many Brady residents Walsh selected and trained as Chief of Urology, 87 percent entered academic careers. Many – including Mohamad Allaf, M.D., now the Jakurski Family Director of the Brady – went on to become leaders in academic medicine. In June, Brady alumni, along with patients, donors, and friends of the Brady, gathered to honor Dr. and Mrs. Walsh and to celebrate this remarkable milestone with a research symposium and celebratory dinner.

“It was wonderful to reconnect with alumni and friends and honor Dr. Walsh’s unparalleled contributions to the field,” says Allaf. “His legacy and impact on our community are profound.”

Walsh made anatomical discoveries, first in the anatomy laboratory, with retired Dutch urologist Pieter Donker, and then in the operating room, where he ultimately pioneered new surgical techniques to craft a safer, far better operation to remove prostate cancer and preserve continence and potency. This procedure remains a gold standard of care today.

In his honor and spirit, the Brady organized a fundraising campaign called Discovering Tomorrow. The campaign has enabled the creation of the Patrick C. Walsh Discovery and Learning Laboratory within SLICE, the new home of transformative surgical discovery and education in urology. This first-of-its-kind laboratory is off to a robust start, thanks to the generosity of our Pioneering Partners, donors who have made commitments of $100,000 or more, as well as gifts from Brady alumni.

Read more about Dr. Walsh and his exceptional career

Learn more about the Discovering Tomorrow campaign celebrating Dr. Walsh