December 8, 2008
Tribute to Dr. Mark Silverman
I am deeply saddened by the death of a colleague and friend, Dr. Mark Silverman.
Dr. Silverman passed away on November 12, 2008.
Dr. Silverman was a former governor of the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Physicians. He achieved the status of Master of the American College of Physicians and was a strong contributor to the Georgia Chapter.
Dr. Silverman loved his patients and his students. He loved to teach and encouraged his students to keep an open mind and pursue careers that would satisfy their inner needs and not just a means to financial success.
At Piedmont Hospital, he was admired for his bedside skills and devoted care to his patients. He was instrumental during the early 1970s for the development of Fuqua Heart Center of Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital. He began his career at Piedmont in 1970 as the director of the Coronary Care Unit and his many contributions led to the tremendous success of that institutions cardiology department. He studied under Dr. J. Willis Hurst and went on to become Piedmont-Emory Professor of Medicine and directed the training of cardiac fellows and students at Piedmont Hospital. He will be missed by the entire Piedmont staff and his many students, interns, residents and fellows.
On a personal note, Dr. Silverman was instrumental in my involvement in the American College of Physicians. I was one of the countless that Dr. Silverman took under his wing and brought into the ACP family. He encouraged, advised, nudged, and directed me. I first worked on his Education and Program Committee as chairman and then as chairman of other committees. Through Dr. Silverman's continuous support, I was able to follow in his footsteps and be elected Governor of the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Physicians. I always felt a sincere warm appreciation for all of my efforts. At one point, at a meeting, Dr. Silverman presented me with a Certificate of Appreciation from the ACP for all of my hard work. He never let diligence go unrecognized. When he announced that I had co-chaired the program committee for one (1) year and chaired it for an additional three (3) years, he jokingly told the audience that he asked me to do this since everybody in that position had done it before me setting the precedent. He commented, laughing, that I actually fell for that story.
Dr. Mark Silverman is survived by his wife, Diana, their two sons, Joel and Adam, and his brother, Barry Silverman, M.D.
We will all miss Dr. Silverman very much. He will be missed by all who had even the most minimal contact with his calm demeanor and nurturing presence.
Vincent M. Nicolais, MD, FACP, FCCM
Chief of Internal Medicine
Medical Director, Critical Care
Governor, Georgia Chapter
American College of Physicians
The Medical Center
710 Center Street, Box 81
Columbus, GA 31901
Phone: 706-571-1454