Dr. George A. SilverRead:The 2008 George Silver Lecture, by Philip Lee, MD (Senior Advisor, Philip Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, School of Medicine, UCSF). 1913-2005The Department of Health Policy, in The George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services, is honored to have been chosen to serve as a home for a memorial to Dr. George A. Silver, one of the leading figures in 20th century health policy. Dedicated to the belief that medicine and health care could—and should—be understood only in a far broader context of public health and social justice, Dr. Silver was instrumental in shaping U.S. health policy at a critical time in its development.
Dr. Silver came to health policy from a career in medicine beginning with service in the Army medical corps during World War II, where he helped liberate Dachau and other concentration camps. From 1951 through 1965 Dr. Silver served as chief of the Social Medicine Division at Montifiore Hospital. As Deputy Assistant Secretary for health and scientific affairs for the United States Department of Health Education and Welfare from 1965 to 1968, Dr. Silver was instrumental in shaping U.S. health policy for the poor, the underserved, and the medically vulnerable. His tenure at HEW saw the initial implementation of Medicare and Medicaid, the desegregation of U.S. hospitals under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the establishment of major federal health programs for low income children, and the early community health center demonstration. Following his government service, Dr. Silver returned to a long and celebrated career in academic health policy as a member of the public health faculty of the Yale Medical School. A tireless voice for at-risk populations, Dr. Silver was honored for his contributions through memberships in the Institute of Medicine, the World Health Organization's expert committee on medical care, and the National Academy of Social Insurance. Dr. Silver wrote prolifically on a wide range of subjects and throughout his career he remained true to the themes of social medicine, child and family health policy, and health as a form of social justice. The Department of Health Policy will honor Dr. Silver's memory through an annual Visitorship in Child and Family Policy, scholarships for advanced degree candidates pursuing careers in child and family health policy, and other activities that embody his work. Contributions to the George A. Silver Fund can be made by making a gift to The George Washington University Medical Center Advancement and specifying the George A. Silver Fund in the contribution form. Checks may also be sent to: GWUMC Medical Center Advancement Please indicate the George A. Silver Fund on the memo line of your check.
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