Dr. Neil Silverman, professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has been selected as the recipient of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) 2026 Maternal Immunization Champion Award.
The award recognizes physicians who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing maternal immunization rates and promoting the importance of recommended vaccines during pregnancy, including COVID-19, flu, RSV and Tdap. Silverman is being honored for his unwavering commitment to increasing vaccine confidence and access, helping protect the health of pregnant patients and their babies.
“An important part of my care is supporting patients with the many decisions they have to make in order to have a healthy and safe pregnancy experience,” said Silverman, who also serves as director of UCLA Health’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program and the obstetrics and gynecology department’s new Infections in Pregnancy Program. “Protecting them from infections through immunizations is a critical part of that, and I am deeply honored by the recognition from SMFM for these efforts.”
Silverman has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 20 textbook chapters and has lectured nationally on obstetric infectious diseases, recurrent pregnancy loss, thrombophilias and prenatal diagnosis. He has held leadership roles with several national organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and SMFM, where he served on the board of directors. He currently serves on ACOG’s Expert Work Group on Immunization, Infectious Disease and Public Health Preparedness and SMFM’s Committee on Infectious Diseases and Emerging Threats.
