Sharon Morris
Sharon Morris, a longstanding faculty member and leader in the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), died on February 7 after a long illness.
A “cornerstone of the department” during a period of rapid growth and development, Morris served many roles, including associate chair, during her career, said Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor in DEOHS, medicine and epidemiology. “She advocated forcefully and effectively for the department and for worker protections on many fronts.”
Morris was largely responsible for the development of the department’s Continuing Education programs. She advised nearly every director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health from the creation of the agency through her retirement.
DEOHS Professor Emeritus David Eaton noted her “remarkable contributions” at NIOSH, particularly her role as “the ‘right-hand woman’ behind the scenes” when Linda Rosenstock directed the agency. “She and Sharon were an amazing team and were widely recognized as such across every NIOSH program in the country.”
“She was such an incredible connector, always willing to support and bring people together,” said Nancy Simcox, associate teaching professor and director of Continuing Education programs in DEOHS. Simcox emphasized Morris's dedication to bridging research and practice at both the regional and national levels, and her decades-long support of NIOSH-sponsored continuing education programs through the agency's Education and Research Centers.
“Sharon was a great colleague and fierce advocate for worker protection,” said DEOHS Professor and Chair Michael Yost.
Other DEOHS community members shared tributes to Morris on her obituary page in the Seattle Times.
“What a mentor, what a friend!” wrote Janice Camp, principal lecturer emeritus in DEOHS.
“Sharon was a wonderful person,” wrote DEOHS Professor Emeritus Lucio Costa. “I have fond memories of dinners in Mercer Island, kayak trips on Lake Washington and reading her travel blog.”
Michael Silverstein
Dr. Michael Silverstein, clinical professor in DEOHS and a leader in occupational health and safety, died on January 2 after a brief illness.
Silverstein spent 10 years as director of Washington state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plan, known as the Washington Safety and Health Act, in the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L & I).
He also served as director of policy for OSHA during the Clinton administration. Earlier in his career, he spent 15 years as the assistant director for occupational health and safety of the United Auto Workers.
Silverstein won major awards from the American Public Health Association and American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and served on many National Academy of Sciences and other advisory committees.
“Michael was an inspiring leader who served many roles over his career in support of worker health and safety,” said Kaufman. “He was a great guy who made a big impact in the field.”
“He really had a major impact at L & I and how we recognize occupational injury,” said DEOHS Professor Elaine Faustman.
Barbara Silverstein
Retired DEOHS Affiliate Professor Barbara Silverstein died on May 6 after a long illness.
A preeminent epidemiologist, Silverstein was named the founding director of L & I’s Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention (SHARP) program in 1990. She served in that role until her retirement in 2013, and then continued to lead projects as a retired research director in the program. She and Michael Silverstein were married for many years.
“She was a fierce and tireless scientist and advocate on behalf of worker health,” Kaufman said.
Silverstein was a pioneer in showing how biomechanical factors could lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
“She conducted the fundamental work to demonstrate that forceful repetitive work, with awkward postures, caused carpal tunnel syndrome in workers,” Kaufman said. “She translated that research and dozens of other groundbreaking projects into public health action.”
Silverstein’s work prompted both OSHA and Washington state to enact regulations around workplace ergonomic factors, leading to historic worker protections. Unfortunately, those regulations were later attacked and ultimately set aside.
“She leaves a long legacy of achievement, leadership and mentorship,” Kaufman said.
“I’m an epidemiologist because of Barbara Silverstein,” said Dr. Catherine Karr, professor in DEOHS, pediatrics and epidemiology. “She was an amazing mentor and promoter of career development. I’ve adopted a lot of her management style in my work—she was so good about encouraging people to do their best.”
Watch a 2018 conversation with Barbara and Michael Silverstein here.
