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.