As part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, Thomas G. Rodenhouse ’73M (Res), a faculty member with the University’s academic health system, has established the Howard J. Silberstein Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowship Fund in honor of a recognized clinician, innovative researcher, and respected colleague. Rodenhouse’s $1 million endowed gift will support early- to mid-career faculty engaged in pediatric neurosurgical care and novel pediatric research at University of Rochester Medicine.
“It was important to me to make this gift for a few reasons,” says Rodenhouse. “Pediatric neurosurgery is too often underfunded, and Dr. Silberstein deserves recognition. I am gratified to know that the fellowship will help train future leaders who will carry his approach to care and research forward for children and families.”
“I want to thank Dr. Rodenhouse for this incredible honor and for being a great colleague and a friend,” says Silberstein. “It’s reassuring to know that the vital work being done in this department will be funded for generations, ensuring that children will get the care they need and that we can make the kinds of discoveries that will change and save lives.”
Rodenhouse was inspired to establish this fellowship after seeing the lasting impact of a similar gift. As a resident, he trained under Frank P. Smith, MD, a leader in neurosurgery who memorialized his mentor—William Van Wagenenen, MD, founder of the Department of Neurosurgery at URochester Medicine—with an endowed fellowship, which remains one of the most prestigious training awards. “Seeing how that gift created permanent support for faculty development and clinical excellence motivated me to make this gift,” he says, “especially now, when external funding is so important.”
“We are grateful to Dr. Rodenhouse for his vision and generosity, as well as for his longstanding and steadfast support of our department’s clinical and education programs,” says Webster H. Pilcher, ’83M (MD), ’84M (PhD), ’89M (Res), the Ernest and Thelma Del Monte Distinguished Professor in Neuromedicine and chief of the Department of Neurosurgery.
“For decades, Dr. Rodenhouse has been a consistent and defining force in the field of neurosurgery in Rochester, educating residents and faculty, improving the quality of care, advancing the field and changing lives,” he adds. “So, too, has Dr. Howard Silberstein who has been the consummate pediatric and adult neurosurgeon in our community for over three decades. The future Howard J. Silberstein Fellowship will perpetuate the kind of excellence that they both exemplify and will ultimately improve outcomes for many.”
Pilcher emphasizes the importance of supporting early- and mid-career faculty who are advancing both clinical care and research: “They often need additional resources to launch their work and do not yet have the funding that senior faculty may have. Support like this provides crucial momentum—helping faculty drive discovery, translate innovations into better outcomes for children, and build the programs that sustain excellence in pediatric neurosurgery.”
The Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Golisano Children’s Hospital provides specialized care for children with a wide range of conditions, including hydrocephalus, traumatic brain and spinal injuries, cerebrovascular anomalies and conditions, brain and spinal cord tumors; as well as epilepsy and congenital malformations. Each year, the team performs more than 180 surgeries for patients age 21 and younger. Using state-of-the-art technology—such as advanced diagnostic imaging, intraoperative neuro-navigation, neurophysiological monitoring, robotics, endoscopy, and laser therapies—the team is committed to delivering the most current, effective, evidence-based care for children.
Born in Rochester, New York, Thomas Rodenhouse earned his bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College in Syracuse before completing his medical training at the University of Louvain in Belgium, where he graduated with distinction. He completed one year of a rotating internship at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, and one year of general surgery residency at Highland Hospital before entering the neurosurgery residency program at the University of Rochester.
While at the University of Rochester, Rodenhouse trained under Smith and Joseph McDonald, MD, and completed clinical rotations at Genesee, Highland, and Strong Memorial Hospitals. He then entered the private practice of general neurosurgery in Rochester in 1973. Rodenhouse joined the full-time faculty of the University’s Department of Neurosurgery in 1999 and has served as an associate professor of clinical neurosurgery since then.
In addition to his practice of general neurosurgery, Rodenhouse regularly participates in resident education and received the Joseph V. McDonald Excellence in Teaching Award in the neurosurgery department. Rodenhouse has been active in the Neurosurgical Society of America and served as its vice president from 2007–2009. His clinical interests cover the broad range of spinal disorders and spine trauma, cerebrovascular disease, and brain tumors.
Howard Silberstein
, MD, is a professor of neurosurgery, pediatrics, neurology, and orthopedics at University of Rochester Medicine and Golisano Children’s Hospital. His clinical practice focused on pediatric neurosurgery and adults with brain and spine tumors. He is board certified in neurological and pediatric neurological surgery and has served as program director of the neurosurgical residency program since 2009.
Silberstein earned his MD from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed internship training at Rutgers/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He finished his neurosurgery residency at the University of Connecticut/Hartford Hospital, including a clinical research fellowship at Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia. He completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (2000–2001).
Philanthropy and engagement are critical to the future success of the University. Learn how our alumni and friends can support For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester. To make a difference, contact Scott Ashley, Senior Director of Advancement, University of Rochester Medicine Clinical, Research, & Hospital Programs.
—Kristine Kappel Thompson, April 2026