Fiercely passionate about women’s health care, Barb Silver, RNC, MS, FNP founded the Women’s Health Resource Center (WHRC) at CPMC in 1995. The WHRC, under her leadership and vision, offers a variety of supportive care services and programs to thousands of women, well and medically challenged, and their families, each year in the Bay Area.

As a Family and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 42 years of nursing experience, Barb developed the Ovarian and Reproductive Cancer Recovery Program due to the lack of services and support she observed as a dear friend struggled with ovarian cancer in San Francisco during the 1990s. She is most proud of this unique, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary program that includes education, support and complimentary modalities. For her 25 years of outstanding work with gyn cancer patients and their families during their diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, Barb received the Friend’s Circle Award from UCSF’s Gynecologic Oncology Department in 2020.

Barb has published research on the effect of supportive care services on quality of life for women with gynecological cancer, and continues to participate in many hospital-based women’s health and cancer care programs. Barb is board certified both as a Family Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Menopause Clinician.

During her travels to more than 28 countries Barb is often reminded of the resilience and power of women, and their unique stories of heartache and joy. She is a tireless advocate for women to be seen, and have their voices heard. In addition, she is equally as passionate for the advocacy and care for animals.