Lois E. Silverman, the first woman chair of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, shared the details of her journey from orphanage to nursing student to running her own business at UMass Boston's College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) symposium, held on Friday, April 28.
Orphaned at a young age, Silverman spoke of the difference that a $300 scholarship made in her life by allowing her attend nursing school. "The help I got from that scholarship – it is the basis of all good things that happened in my life," she said. "Giving back is my life's blood."
Silverman's career includes founding CRA Managed Care and The Commonwealth Institute, where she is focused on helping other successful businesswomen grow their companies. She was named "Businesswoman of the Year" by the New England Women Business Owners Association in 1991 and named of the list of "Top 100 Most Influential Women in Boston" by Boston Magazine in May 2003.
Silverman spoke of three beliefs that guided her in life: "all things are possible; sometimes we need help along the way; and growth and success come from within."She spoke of the importance of continuous learning and taking one step at a time to reach one's goals.
She recalled that much of her early inspiration and hope came from music and books, most especially happy ending stories that translated for her, as a child, that all things are possible.
She spoke of her conviction that everyone must give back to the greater community. "Growth is about making a contribution," said Silverman. "We have a responsibility to help others to succeed." After a chance meeting with the couple who had originally donated the money that paid for her scholarship, Silverman said, "Their generosity has extended to the patients I help, to my employees, to my shareholders, to the members of The Commonwealth Institute, and to all of you…. "She also spoke of the importance of taking risks. "You haven't tried hard enough if you haven't made any mistakes," she said. "We must have the courage to make mistakes." At the conclusion of her speech, Silverman received the first annual "Heroes Who Heal" from CNHS Dean Greer Glazer.
Other symposium presenters included Provost Paul Fonteyn; Stephen J. Braverman, senior vice president for development and community relations for Hebrew SeniorLife and CNHS advisory board member; Donna Vecchiarello, associate producer of Spectrum Audio Video Consulting; Michael Foley, MD, medical staff president of Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center and CNHS Board Member; and Chancellor Michael F. Collins, MD, who will be formally inaugurated as the seventh chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston on Friday, April 28.
This was the final symposium in UMass Boston's "Inspiration. Achievement. Celebration" program, which features nearly 20 symposia and presentations across academic disciplines, a student concert by Kanye West, and a gala fundraiser for student scholarship.
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