Kent County Times

Dr. Michael Silverstein, director of the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute at Brown University and a professor at the University’s School of Public Health, has been appointed vice chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The task force is an independent panel of experts that works to improve the health of people nationwide by making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services such as screenings, counseling services and preventive medications.

Silverstein, a professor of health services, policy and practice who studies mental health services for children and families, is one of the nation’s leading pediatric health services researchers. He served previously as a member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force from 2016 to 2020.

“Being a part of the task force has been the professional experience of a lifetime for me, and I'm thrilled to be returning as part of its leadership team,” Silverstein said. “The task force is dedicated to using evidence to improve the health of Americans and to addressing critical issues of health equity. I'm excited to help steer the task force's work in a way that maximizes its positive impact.”

Silverstein’s vice chair appointment was announced on Wednesday, March 15.

“I am happy to welcome Dr. Silverstein back to the task force as vice chair,” said Dr. Michael Barry, task force chair and director of the Informed Medical Decisions Program in the Health Decision Sciences Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. “His expertise in providing care to children, knowledge of evidence-based guidelines, and commitment to eliminating health inequities in vulnerable children and families will be valuable as we work to improve health and reduce disparities.” 

Since 2021, Silverstein has served as director of Brown University’s Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, which is charged with eliminating health inequities in pregnancy and childhood for Rhode Island families. Launched in 2016 with an ambitious vision, the institute is bringing together researchers, physicians, students and community partners to transform children’s health in Rhode Island and beyond.

Silverstein’s primary research interest is the prevention of depression among mothers experiencing social disadvantage and caregivers of vulnerable children. He has conducted research to determine optimal systems of care for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who live in urban areas, treatment pathways for screen-detected parents with depression, and systems to address food insecurity.

“The Brown University School of Public Health congratulates Dr. Michael Silverstein on his new role,” said Interim Dean Ronald Aubert. “We are confident his past experience and knowledge of evidence-based medicine will serve the task force well. We look forward to all that will be accomplished under his leadership.”

As a clinical pediatrician, Silverstein worked primarily in Boston Medical Center’s inpatient pediatric service before coming to Brown and turning to public health full time. He also saw patients in the outpatient primary care setting and taught residents and medical students in pediatrics.

Silverstein earned his bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern languages and civilizations from Harvard College and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at the University of Washington, where he also obtained his master’s in public health and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program.

Original source can be found here.