James P. Crowley, Professor of Medicine Emeritus at Brown University, shared on LinkedIn:
“Dr. Richard T. Silver was a world-renowned hematologist and medical oncologist and a pioneer in blood cancer treatment in New York City. He passed away on April 17, 2026, at the age of 97.
This renowned leukemia and myeloprolferative neoplasm (MPN) expert from Weill Cornell Medicine did not officially retire from an active clinical practice and seeing patients until December 2021 at age 92 making him a candidate for the title of world’s oldest practicing hematologist!
He transitioned to Professor Emeritus status and subsequently passed away in April 2026 at the age of 97.
The Richard T. Silver, M.D. Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) Center is a multidisciplinary center of excellence dedicated to patient care, research, and education in all facets of these diseases. It is based at Weill Cornell Medicine at NY Presbyterian Hospital in NYC.
Dr. Silver spent decades as a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Research Foundation: In 1968, he founded the Cancer Research & Treatment Fund to support vital cancer studies through patient donations.
Leadership: He helped lead national cooperative clinical trials for leukemia research from their very beginning.
Specialties and BreakthroughsFocus Areas: He specialized in leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), which are rare blood stem cell disorders.
Bone Marrow Biopsy: He developed and popularized the standard bone marrow biopsy technique used around the world today.
New Treatments: He was among the first to introduce interferon therapy for MPNs and helped test imatinib (Gleevec) for chronic myeloid leukemia.
Unique Services and Ongoing Care: Silver Center: His clinical and research legacy lives on through the Richard T. Silver, MD Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Center headed up by the highly regarded hematologist Dr Andrew Schafer.
Dr. Schafer is the author of over 220 original articles and the editor of 5 textbooks in the field of hemostasis, thrombosis and hematology.
He edited a book entitled ‘The Vanishing Physician-Scientist?’ and is currently Co-Editor of the Cecil Textbook of Medicine beginning with the 24th edition.”
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