Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston has announced a $6 million gift from Roberta and Stephen R. Weiner to support a program focused on stem cell research.

In recognition of the gift — one of the three largest ever given to the hospital — BIDMC's department of surgery will be named for the Weiners. In addition to supporting translational stem cell research, the gift will allow the department to focus on creating new, minimally invasive procedures for the delivery of cell therapies.

"This gift will enable us to advance one of the most promising avenues of biomedical research," said BIDMC board chair Carl Sloane. "As a result of the generosity of Roberta and Steve Weiner, BIDMC will be able to embark on cutting-edge research that has the potential to improve the lives of countless patients at BIDMC and around the world."

The Weiners have had a long association with BIDMC: Stephen Weiner, founder of real estate firm S.R. Weiner & Associates, served as a Beth Israel Hospital trustee and was a member of its executive committee from 1989 to 1992, while Mrs. Weiner currently serves as a BIDMC trustee and is a member of its Community Benefits Committee. Their daughter, Melissa Weiner Janfaza, was named a BIDMC overseer in 2003.