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The story of how America's largest prize in medicine evolved speaks volumes about its founder and benefactor. In 1999, Marty Silverman learned about the international humanitarian aid group, Doctors without Borders, winner to the Nobel Peace Prize. The story piqued Silverman's interest and sparked his desire to create an American equivalent of the Nobel - to recognize a physician or scientist, or group, whose work has led to significant advances in the fields of health care and scientific research.
Confident that the creation of an "American Nobel" was within reach, Silverman made a $50 million commitment to Albany Medical Center to establish the Albany Prize. The gift remains the largest in the history of Albany Med. Born in 1912, Silverman lived a modest life in Troy, NY with his two sisters and immigrant parents. who often relied on the help of family and friends to get through difficult financial times. Following high school, Silverman attended Albany Law School and opened a gas station to help pay for tuition. As word spread throughout the community, Silverman discovered that people were traveling great distances to lend support, thus fueling his desire to give back to the area. One of the first Jewish graduates of Albany Law School in 1936, Silverman began his legal career with the fledgling Legal Aid Society and later founded Capital Auto Sales, which bought used cars from the government at bargain prices and sold them for twice the purchase price. Silverman moved to NYC following the advent of World War II to sell used equipment in response to the need for war materials. He later served in the war, earning two purple hearts, two Bronze stars, a Silver Star, four Battle Stars and a Combat Infantry Badge. After his discharge in 1946, Silverman returned to New York, where he and his wife Dorothy are credited for pioneering the leasing business, founding National Equipment Rental, which later became North American Corporation. In 1984, Silverman sold what had evolved into the largest privately owned leasing company in the United States. Following his wife's death in 1985, Silverman created the Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation, which has provided support for numerous programs that benefit education, abused and neglected children, and indigent senior citizens. |
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"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."
- Marty Silverman |
