Barton Health’s 'Doctor of the Year' honored by staff; cancer survivor says 'thank you' for saving her life

It’s not every day Dr. Gregory Eyre, from Barton General Surgery, gets called into Barton Health’s, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Clint Purvance’s office — especially when he’s in-between surgical cases. But, on Tuesday, March 26, he rounded the corner at Barton Memorial Hospital’s nowflake Lobby and was greeted by Dr. Purvance and quickly surrounded by applause and the faces of smiling Barton staff.

“Congratulations, Dr. Eyre, this is much deserved and we are very proud to name you Barton Health’s “Doctor of the Year!” Dr. Purvance said. “I’d like to read just a few of the great comments from the anonymous staff and physician ballots that brought you here today:

… Hardworking, very sweet and attentive to his patients.”

… Compassionate Care. Dedication to the organization and his patients. Team player. Hard working. Taking 24/7 call. Our Hero.”

… He is our hero. Truly dedicated to this organization, staff and his patients.”

Dr. Eyre has been on staff since July 24, 2003 and in 2012, alone, he completed 288 surgeries at Barton Memorial. He is a da Vinci Surgical System specialist, Board Certified by the American College of Surgeons, associated with the American Medical Association, American Society of General Surgeons and a graduate of University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Eyre completed his residency and medical education at Medical College of Georgia in Augustia, Georgia and Saint Joseph Exampla Hospital in Denver, Colorado. In addition to da Vinci Robotic surgery, Dr. Eyre also specializes in general and vascular surgery.

National Doctor’s Day, Saturday, March 30, and Barton would like to remind everyone to thank their doctors for their hard work and dedication.

“Often times their work goes unnoticed,” Dr. Purvance said. “Many of our physicians donate their time, knowledge and medical services to local, national and even international communities and events. And, travel to third world countries to help those less fortunate and have no medical care, such as areas in Africa. On behalf of the Barton Board of Trustees and Administration, I would like to say, “thank you” to our specialists who are committed to building and sustaining a healthy community here at Lake Tahoe.”

It’s not uncommon to hear patients talk about how their doctor changed their lives in some way.
In January 2012, Dr. Eyre discovered 11 cancerous polyps in South Lake Tahoe resident, Evon Compton’s colon.

“I could see it in his eyes. There was something he [Dr. Eyre] had to say … he said “I’m very sorry to tell you this Evon, but you have cancer.”

“He sat there with me for a long-time and just held my hand,” she explained.

Dr. Eyre immediately removed all of Compton’s polyps, no further treatment was necessary, but she does endure annual screenings. When she overheard that Dr. Eyre had been recognized as “Doctor of the Year,” Compton went to Barton’s Web site and immediately sent this e-mail with “Dr. Eyre” in the subject line:

“I want to thank Dr. Eyre for saving my life. He was very straight forward and told me I had Colon Cancer. He is the best, he was always there for me and spoke with love from his heart, showing me he really cared … I also want to thank the staff on floor three, as they treated me as family for 13 days … and were very nice to me. Barton you are the best, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s been a year now and I am still alive.”