Ross D. Silverman

Ross D. Silverman serves as Professor of Health Services Administration and Policy and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at Temple University College of Public Health, with a secondary professorship at Temple University Beasley School of Law. He is an internationally recognized expert in public health law and policy, particularly regarding vaccination ethics and legal epidemiology, and advises governmental organizations on critical health issues affecting vulnerable populations.

His educational background includes:

• JD from Boston University
• MPH in Health Services from Boston University
• BA in History from Indiana University–Bloomington

Professor Silverman's research centers on the intersection of law, policy, and public health, with emphases on vaccination mandates, opioid regulation, and health equity. His work employs legal epidemiology to analyze how variations in law impact population health outcomes, especially for marginalized communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided critical guidance on vaccine access, hesitancy, and mandates while examining ethical dimensions of quarantine and contact tracing.

His 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) reveal consistent thematic focus on policy surveillance, vaccination law, and opioid regulation. These works demonstrate methodological rigor in legal epidemiology while addressing urgent public health challenges through interdisciplinary lenses spanning law, ethics, and health services research.

His notable recognition includes:

• APHA Law Section’s Lifetime Service Award (2013)

Professor Silverman actively shapes public health discourse through leadership roles including President-Elect of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics (2025), editorial board membership for Public Health Reports, and chairing APHA committees. His mentorship extends through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Future of Public Health Law program, while his Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research affiliation fosters collaborative policy analysis.

He directs interdisciplinary teams examining intrastate policy variations, particularly in substance use laws and vaccination policies, leveraging Temple University's institutional resources to advance legal epidemiology as a critical public health methodology.