Charles Marvin Silverstein, M.D
Charles Marvin Silverstein, M.D., 94, died on November 8, 2016 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the original founders of Northside Hospital, he was a diagnostic radiologist who practiced for 40 years, the last 22 of which were spent as Head of the Radiology Department at Northside.
A native of Atlanta, he obtained his M.D. from the School of Medicine at Emory University in 1945 where he had earlier graduated college with a degree in Journalism. Prior to his radiology residency, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II for three years as a primary care physician. While stationed at Key West, Florida, he was tasked with managing a polio outbreak at the age of 19, an era before the Salk polio vaccine. His also worked at Warm Springs, Georgia where he learned the latest in polio treatment therapies.
After completing his radiology residency at Emory Hospital and Grady Hospital in Atlanta, he was a cofounder of the Buckhead Clinic, the first multi-specialty group practice in Atlanta oriented towards primary care. While his key interest was internal medicine, after four years he devoted his career entirely to general radiology. He was a Fellow of the American College of Radiology, and in earlier years was Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology at Emory.
Dr. Silverstein devoted many years of his life to the founding of Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, from earliest conception to ultimate groundbreaking in 1968. In 1970, he formed Northside Radiology serving as the Radiology Department for Northside Hospital, which he continued to lead until 1992. With over 60 radiologists today, the group still operates with the same values of knowledge, service and respect that he embodied.
Following his retirement from Northside Hospital in 1992, Dr. Silverstein published “First on the Hill: Atlanta’s Medical Camelot” in 1993, a definitive history of the founding and early days of Northside Hospital, published by Longstreet Press available on amazon.com. His writing of First on the Hill was not only an important archive of his institutional memory of the hospital’s founding. It was a proud personal achievement and culmination of his life’s work, uniting his journalism background, medical expertise, and 22 year tenure of leadership at Northside Radiology.
An avid tennis player and exercise enthusiast, Dr. Silverstein enjoyed a peaceful retirement at his lakeside home in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
The son of Hyman and Gussie Silverstein, he is survived by his children, Cathy Silverstein and Elizabeth Silverstein, and his grandchildren Amanda Miller and Eric Miller. Dr. Silverstein was a highly respected physician, a true friend, a loving father and grandfather, and unassuming moral compass for everyone he knew. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
At his request, no public service will be held. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Weinstein Hospice 404-352-4308 or the Northside Hospital Foundation 770-667-4483 / foundation@northside.com.
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He was so special me and family. I am widow now and have asthma and David but followed what he was doing and was just part of my family I have some pictures you might want. Please let me know where send. I met him when X-ray school Crawford long and he worked few weeks. Got married to Jim hays and settled in near NSH site. Jim still out there entire life and died right before 9/11. I was prudent civic club and raised money for hospital. When Chris went first grade started doing volunteer work and u know what happened. He called and I went hospital and talked told him family first. Anyway I ended up in Radilogy and I told him stay two weeks. 35 years later retired.
A great mentor to me while my time spent working with him at Northside Hospital. A dedicated man to his profession and truly a pleasure and privilege to work with him . He touched the hearts of many and will be missed greatly .
I grew up at Nirthside Hospital. My mother, Barbara Hays, worked for Marvin for years. Even after my mother retired from Northsjde she and Marvin remained friends. I continued to see Marvin throughout the years. He was such a kind and wonderful man. He was a true gentleman and he will he missed.
I will always remember the sweetness and tenderness of your father towards you Cathy, and what a healthy father-daughter relationship looked like. Big hugs from your childhood friend.
What an awesome man Dr. Silverstein was. I worked with him in my younger days from 1974-1990 at Northside Hospital. He taught me a lot about being the best radiologic technologist I could be. The xray dept in those years were like family.He opened his home for our parties. One time he was doing landscaping and offered for me to have his old juniper bushes, and we still have a few in our backyard. So grateful for the memories.I have his autographed book that I will cherish.
Prayers for his family. You should be proud to have had him a part of your lives. I know I am.
Pam and Jim Noble
When I started practicing radiology at Emory in the early 1960s,
Marvin was the radiologist at the Buckhead Clinic. We became friends through the Atlanta Radiological Society, and that friendship has been treasured by me throughout the intervening years. As we all know, Marvin was a generous and kind example of the consummate gentleman. I am thankful that I knew Marvin and had his examples to follow on many occasions. My sincere condolences are extended to his family; we shall all miss him.
Marvin was the consummate professional. He always took time to discuss and review xrays of my patients. I always learned from him and value our many years of association. Dr. Mike Levine,pediatrician
Marvin was a true gentleman and gifted leader. Working with him you observed wisdom, patience, and fairness. He used his knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the patient and the clinician.
He was a gifted writer and eloquent speaker. His many sayings are legendary in our practice. These included:
“Remember the Golden Rule. He who has the gold makes the rules.”
“Don’t be in too much of a hurry to solve your problems, another one will come along to take its place.”
“When you categorize disease, you become a good doctor.”
He founded Northside Radiology Associates, and established the guiding principles by which it continues to operate. He will always be warmly remembered.
I joined Northside Radiology Associates in 1999 and heard many stories about Marvin and his leadership. I met him in person at one of our holiday parties shortly thereafter and he lived up to his reputation. He was an intelligent, caring and fun person and I always looked forward to my next visit with Marvin. He shared many stories about the development of Northside Hospital and our group. He regularly attended our group holiday parties and would show up in the xray department from time to time and I always enjoyed catching up with him. Although I never had the opportunity to work with him professionally, I was fortunate to have known him. He will be missed by all who knew him.
When I joined Northside Radiology Assoc. in 1984, I was the 8th radiologist. We now have about 70 members thanks in large part to the guiding principles that Marvin established–fairness and equality among the members of the group and excellence of service to our patients. We will miss him greatly.