Salt Lake City: Robert M. Silver, MD has been appointed Chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Silver has been serving as the interim chair since the departure of C. Matthew Peterson, MD in 2016.
Silver joined the University of Utah Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division as a fellow in 1991, and has been a tremendous asset during his tenure at the university. As an obstetrician, he provides world-class clinical care to patients who experience pregnancy loss and stillbirth.
He conducts active and productive ongoing translational research programs with a focus on stillbirth and pregnancy loss, complications of cesarean delivery, and medical complications in pregnancy. His work has resulted in numerous grants from NICHD and NHLBI and more than 200 peer-reviewed publications in numerous journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Silver is also a strong contributor to the educational arm of University of Utah Health. He has mentored more than 20 fellows in maternal-fetal medicine, with 100% of mentees obtaining academic positions and nine obtaining at least one externally funded grant. He has also received numerous teaching awards during his time at the University of Utah and the University of Colorado, for his work with both fellows and residents.
During his time as interim chief, the department has experienced tremendous growth: including several key hires across divisions; the formation of a new division of family planning; and the initiation of one of the first integrated practice units at U of U Health – the fertility center in collaboration with the Department of Surgery.
CEO of University of Utah Health, and Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, A. Lorris Betz, MD, PhD, congratulated Silver, “Health care is going through major transition, and we need strong leaders to manage that change. Dr. Silver's understanding of our strengths and weaknesses, coupled with his experience and reputation in the international arena, provide an ideal set of skills to lead the department through this transformation.”
Betz continued, “Dr. Silver's vision for the department aligns with University of Utah Health. With a focus on value, he is determined to continue delivering quality patient care, building on our strong research foundation, and developing innovative educational models. I look forward to seeing the impact he will have in this new role.”