Hematology lost a great leader and champion with the untimely passing of Samuel Silver, MD, PhD, this past August, following his long and valiant struggle with large cell lymphoma. His treatment had included stem cell transplantation and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.
Sam loved hematology in all its aspects. His training was superb, spanning the continent — chemistry major at Brandeis, PhD in virology from Rockefeller, MD from Cornell, residency at UCSF, fellowship at UPenn, and bone marrow transplantation training at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. This was followed by a distinguished 36-year career at the University of Michigan, where he held the titles of professor of medicine, director of adult bone marrow transplantation, and assistant dean for research, among other significant positions. The breadth of his clinical knowledge was amazing — spanning benign and malignant hematology, including expertise in the porphyrias, for which he was our go-to consultant!
His service to medicine and honorifics were numerous, including chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network; master of the American College of Physicians; fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and American Heart Association; and recipient of the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Burgess Gordon Memorial Award and the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sam’s contributions and service to ASH were so extensive that only a brief summary is possible here. Among others, he served as councillor on the Executive Committee, inaugural contributing editor of The Hematologist, and chair of the Committee on Practice, the Nominating Committee, and the Subcommittee on Reimbursement (for 20 years!).
As part of the latter role, Sam was ASH’s representative to AMA’s RVS Update Committee and CPT Editorial Panel for longer than anyone could remember — he was truly a champion in the struggle to ensure fair and adequate reimbursement for hematologists. In recognition of his tireless efforts, Sam had been nominated to run for president of ASH and was awarded ASH’s Exemplary Service Award in 2012.
Sam’s advice, guidance, support and reassurance were often sought and valued by all. Both of us relied heavily on Sam in our own roles at ASH. Most of all, his warmth and smile always lit up the room and served to create a comfortable atmosphere as we tackled whatever issue was at hand. Sam loved good food, good drink, and good golf, and he was always ready to share a good laugh!
Sam was particularly devoted to family. He and his wife, Nancy, were always deeply involved with their children and grandchildren. Sam would happily discuss them and the joy they brought every chance he had. Celebrating holidays and special occasions was a particular highlight for him.
Amazingly, all of Sam’s joie de vivre and professional efforts continued unabated until the very end, even as he dealt with his lymphoma and its treatment.
ASH Executive Director Marty Liggett paid tribute to Sam as “the epitome of the caring, thoughtful hematologist leader-clinician,” observing that he gave tirelessly in support of hematologists.
Sam’s lovely and incredibly supportive spouse, Nancy, shared that Sam “embraced his many roles at ASH” and “treasured the collegiality and friendships made.” These sentiments were overwhelmingly mutual. Sam’s passing is a tremendous loss to the profession and to all who knew him. He was an outstanding physician who embodied the classic triple-threat model — clinician, researcher, and teacher. More importantly, he was a wonderful friend, colleague, and mentor. He will be missed by all. May his memory be a blessing.
