Fall/Winter 2016
• Columbia Dental at 100 Columbia • One on One with the Dean • Big Data for Better Dentistry DENTAL MEDICINE • FY16 Donor Report COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY College of Dental Medicine
Students, Recent Graduates Embrace a Changing Dental aNew Landscape Generation Columbia Dear DENTAL MEDICINE
Editor Readers, Bonita Eaton Enochs
Welcome to our redesigned Contributing Writers Sarah Durham magazine, Columbia Dental Martha Moore Medicine. The magazine’s Kathleen Lees Jonathan Sapers title and content were cho- Lauren Savage sen to reflect oral health Sharon Tregaskis
care’s rightful position Alumni Section Editors within the field of medicine, Melissa Welsh, Director of Alumni Relations and Continuing Education a relationship acknowledged when the college was estab- Geraldine C. Connors, Senior Director lished at Columbia 100 years ago as one of the nation’s first of Development university-affiliated dental schools. Design and Art Direction Eson Chan The College of Dental Medicine is undergoing exciting growth and transformation, as you will read in the pages that Columbia Dental Medicine is published twice a year for alumni, faculty, students, and follow. As part of this evolution, we plan to strengthen our other supporters of the College of Dental Medicine connection and conversations with you. at Columbia University.
You will see Columbia Dental Medicine in your mailbox twice Christian S. Stohler, DMD, DrMedDent Dean, College of Dental Medicine a year and we hope to hear from you at least as often. If you Senior Vice President, are a graduate of the college, please send us your news— Columbia University Medical Center [email protected] however big or small—for Alumni Notes, so we can celebrate your accomplishments. If you are a supporter or friend of Anna Spinner Director of Communications, our college, we invite you to let us know what is important to College of Dental Medicine you by sending Letters to the Editor. Address correspondence to: Columbia Dental Medicine We will always welcome feedback and questions. Our 630 W. 168th St., Box 20 community of alumni and other supporters is a source of New York, NY 10032 212-342-2964 strength and pride for the College of Dental Medicine. Your support helps our college nourish future generations of E-mail: [email protected] dental medicine leaders for years to come. Like us on Facebook: ColumbiaCDM
Sincerely, Follow our Linkedin Group: Columbia University College Bonita Enochs, Editor of Dental Medicine Melissa Welsh, Director of Alumni Relations Anna Spinner, Director of Communications Follow us on Twitter: @ColumbiaCDM
[email protected] Find us online: Dental.columbia.edu Dental.columbia.edu/alumni Dental.columbia.edu/ce InThisIssue Fall/Winter 2016
Features
14 A Dental Student for Our Time: Holistic, Community-Minded, Departments Diverse, Transformed 2 One On One By Jonathan Sapers
Today’s Columbia dental students have found in the College of Dental Medicine a school 4 CDM News
that embraces scientific and technological advances, new data management tools, and an 10 Innovations expanded commitment to serve communities both near and around the world. 28 In Profile
31 Donor Report Columbia Dental Medicine at 100: 20 People, Events, and Milestones that 35 Alumni News and Notes Define the School’s First Century 39 In Memoriam
By Martha T. Moore
Ever since Joseph Schroff and Sidney Kramer enrolled in 1916 as the first students to study ON THE COVER: Five members of the dentistry at Columbia University, Columbia has next generation of dentists pose in the been building a world-class dental school that College of Dental Medicine. From left are Divya Khera, Scott Bueno, Chelsea has fulfilled its commitment to educate dental Townes, Mary Awadallah, and Victor Lee. students, conduct research to improve oral care, Story, Page 14.
and serve the community. CREDIT: Jörg Meyer A CONVERSATION WITH OneOnOne DEAN CHRISTIAN STOHLER
Future Thinking
Fourth-year student JONATHAN LOMBOY’17: The school is marking its outcome, but we know that reimbursement is Jonathan Lomboy centennial but my classmates and I are look- shifting toward value-based models in medicine. ing to the future. What new challenges do Unfortunately, no one has been thinking interviewed Dean you see facing the next generation? about the value of dentistry. We know the Christian Stohler DEAN STOHLER: You are entering our field at a value of a procedure. But what value do you about his first three unique moment. I don’t think any generation place on helping a person keep his or her teeth years as dean, trends of dentists has faced the magnitude of change for life? These are important questions that that are impacting that our students will confront in the next few your generation will have to wrestle with. decades. You will be impacted tremendously the profession, and by scientific advances: Continued advances in LOMBOY: Last fall marked the beginning of how the college technology, personalized medicine, and bioin- your fourth year as dean and my fourth year is responding. formatics will force all health care disciplines as a student. Let’s discuss what you have to think in different ways. The boundaries done during that time. between fields and treatments will change. STOHLER: One of our priorities has been improv- In the coming years, treatments will focus on ing the administration of our curriculum. After genes, and that change will have a huge impact an analysis of how other schools at Columbia on the way care is delivered. manage this, we decided that the College of From a delivery standpoint, the evolving Physicians & Surgeons has the best structure. health care system will likely have a large impact We have strengthened the curriculum man- on your career. Because it introduces the govern- agement team and have started to implement ment as a significant payer for dental care, the changes aligned with the P&S structure. I think government will have a larger influence on reim- that the education our students get through the bursement systems. We can’t fully predict the P&S curriculum is very good—I’ve never seen
2 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 such a spectacular curriculum—but I felt that work globally in a way that makes a lasting the curriculum on the dental side needed updat- impact, not just on our students and not ing, which we have begun. just on individual patients. While traditional We have to teach you how to practice in a service mission trips have been popular, we changing health care delivery environment. know from research that a single day of care For example, we talked about reimbursement. does not have lasting impact—we need to That’s why we hired Joseph Errante as senior work collaboratively, build local capacity, associate dean of clinical affairs. Joe has made and really address the needs specific to the a career of successfully navigating through places we visit. We are starting this now uncertainty in several health care sectors, with new programs in Kenya, Guatemala, including dental group practice, the insur- and elsewhere. But on a larger scale, a global ance industry, and consulting. He has quickly engagement task force of the CDM Board helped us increase revenues by implementing of Advisors has been helping us to consider changes in our revenue cycle processes. A skill how best to achieve our goals. like that is good for the school as we grow, I also have appointed a Global Initiatives which we must do, but he will also be an faculty group to begin working on curricu- invaluable resource to our students. lum changes that will provide an important We also have made a commitment to you framework for global education. regarding tuition, promising that once you know what your base tuition is, we keep LOMBOY: Does the school have any plans increases in the range of cost of living increases. to move? That way you know what your total debt load STOHLER: No. Our location in Vanderbilt is going to be. We are committed to that. Clinic in the heart of the medical center gives us an inter-professional interface many “” LOMBOY: I am disappointed that I’ll never get dental schools lack. Rather than lose that, You are entering to experience the new fifth floor clinic sched- we decided to renovate to maximize the our field at a uled to open in summer 2017, but please talk space we have, using it in a more effective about the plans. manner without leaving the “superblock” unique moment. STOHLER: The plans for the clinic and simula- of the medical center. I don’t think any tion facility on VC-5 are very exciting. There generation of will be state-of-the-art equipment and soft- LOMBOY: We have started to celebrate our ware for our students and faculty, but the centennial. What does this anniversary mean dentists has faced greatest advance is how it will impact our to the school? the magnitude ability to conduct research. We will be col- STOHLER: In my opinion, the most important of change that lecting an enormous amount of data about event in the school’s history happened 99 patient care. We will monitor patient traffic, years ago with the foundation for the College our students wait times, how instruments are used, and so of Dental Medicine. The founders made a will confront. forth. That data can be analyzed to support commitment to advance dentistry as a part — Dean Christian Stohler research and, ultimately, clinical decision- of medicine. That’s our legacy. It’s a tradition making. We will be using data streams to that we need to polish a bit but we are lucky inform our practice and our education mod- today to have such a strong partner in the els and to improve cost effectiveness without medical school. My role as dean is made sacrificing quality. stronger through an exceptional partnership with the medical school dean, Lee Goldman. LOMBOY: Tell us about your plans to expand While celebrating our legacy, we need to the school’s work on global oral health issues, also focus on our future. By combining a one of your priorities. commitment to our future with a celebration STOHLER: We have long had programs abroad, of our past, we will best serve the College of but much of the thinking is about how to Dental Medicine, its students, and its alumni.
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 3 UPDATES FROM THE CDMNews COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE
Kavita P. Ahluwalia leads a session at the East Africa Oral Health Summit.
GLOBAL REACH Changing Oral Health Care in Kenya
ral health is not part of public health of oral health care delivery. Participants see a dentist, says Dr. Ahluwalia. The clos- policy in Kenya, a country in East focused on ways to use health care work- est dentist may be up to 60 miles away and OAfrica with nearly 42 million people, ers not specifically trained in dentistry to patients have limited transportation options. but Columbia experts are contributing to prevent and manage oral health issues. Deterioration of oral health is associated plans to change that. “I always wanted to go back home and with an increased risk for cardiovascular dis- Columbia was part of a partnership that do work in my own country,” says Dr. Ahlu- ease, diabetes, and stroke. An estimated 1 in conceived and organized the East Africa walia, a fourth generation Kenyan. “It’s 20 adults in Sub-Saharan Africa also lives Oral Health Summit in March in Nairobi. very exciting because we’re really helping with HIV, according to 2014 data from the Among the CDM faculty attending the sum- Kenyans think through their problems and World Health Organization, increasing the mit was Kavita P. Ahluwalia, DDS, associate find local solutions.” risk for gum disease, decay, and oral lesions. professor of dental medicine. “The budget Dr. Ahluwalia says she hopes that address- One of the biggest challenges in Kenya is for oral health at the Ministry of Health ing the need for better oral health care in rural changing the way people view oral health Kenya is $3,500 and there are only about parts of East Africa and helping residents a thousand practicing dentists,” she says. understand its connection to overall health “That’s one dentist for every 42,000 people, will bring more visibility to oral health. “The far short of the WHO’s recommended ratio mouth is vital to so many functions: eating, of 1 dentist to 7,000 persons.” drinking, singing, talking,” she says. “It’s More than 100 oral health experts from vital to who we are.” Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the United Living in a rural part Among the participants States attended the two-day summit to of East Africa can make at the summit was CDM discuss ways to create a sustainable model it nearly impossible to Dean Christian Stohler.
4 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 care and prevention, says Stephen Nicholas, MD, professor of pediatrics in the College of Physicians and Surgeons and professor of population and family health in the Mail- man School of Public Health. Dr. Nicholas also attended the summit, part of the Chil- dren’s Global Oral Health Initiative of the IFAP Global Health Program at Columbia. “A lot of it is fatalism and just thinking that everybody gets rotten teeth,” says Dr. Nicholas. “The challenge is to change that notion. Our response is a Western method- ology, which is toothbrush and toothpaste, JENNY ARMSTRONG’18 JENNY and we know that works, but if you only make a few pennies a day, you can’t afford toothpaste, so there’s obviously economic // COMMUNITY HEALTH limitations, too.” Christian S. Stohler, DMD, DrMedDent, dean of the College of Dental Medicine, Give Kids a Smile Day 2016 also participated in the summit and noted ozens of CDM students, faculty, residents, and community dental providers par- the importance of thinking about oral Dticipate in Give Kids a Smile Day every year. Hundreds of elementary school health care in terms of systemic disease. students are seen each year, a number that has increased annually since Columbia Dr. Ahluwalia says she hopes to lay started participating in the American Dental Association-sponsored program in 2003. the groundwork for new partnerships to In the photo above, Divya Khera’15 completes a dental screening on a young student tackle dental problems in Kenya, helping at Dos Puentes Elementary School in Washington Heights at February’s Gives Kids a to train local health care workers to pre- Smile Day. Children who participate receive dental screenings, exams, and follow-up vent tooth decay. “We must create some care, including orthodontic care, pain treatment, cleanings, and sealants. clinical guidelines for nurses or medical staff so they can provide help,” says Dr. Ahluwalia. “The public infrastructure demands that in these areas.” // STUDENT NEWS In July and August, five students from CDM, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the Columbia School of Nursing spent Match Day time in Kenya completing research under raduating students matched in nearly every specialty during the 2016 Match Day. the mentorship of Dr. Ahluwalia and Uni- GThe Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program places applicants for their first versity of Nairobi professor Regina Mutave. year of training in numerous programs: U.S. general practice residency, advanced The students worked with teachers, clinical education in general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral and maxil- officers, and social workers to address oral lofacial surgery, and dental anesthesiology. health and develop a sustainable system to Graduating students received their results via email, and all 77 graduates in provide oral health prevention to grandpar- the Class of 2016 either matched or started in private practice this year. The ents and children affected by HIV in a most popular match was for general practice residency, with 25 students match- village designed to provide homes for ing, followed by matches in oral and maxillofacial surgery (9), orthodontics (9), those orphaned by the virus. Dr. Ahlu- advanced education in general dentistry (9), and pediatric dentistry (8). walia says she hopes to strengthen local The match process is supervised by a steering committee composed of representa- and international partnerships through tives of each of the sponsoring organizations, the Special Care Dentistry Association, these kinds of projects and hopes that American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Association of Orthodontists, additional funding can be directed to American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of oral health through such initiatives. Dentist Anesthesiologists, and American Student Dental Association.
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 5 CDMNews
// GRADUATION 2016 Predoctoral Graduation and Class Day n May, Columbia University welcomed 78 DDS graduates to the ties during dental school, includ- Iranks of more than 300,000 alumni during the commencement ing community service, global week ceremonies. outreach, and research. At the CDM graduation ceremony, Dean Christian Stohler The graduates have begun post- recognized the exceptional efforts of the class and stressed how doctoral or residency programs the new dentists will help shape the future of oral health care in oral maxillofacial surgery, delivery. Guest speaker Melissa Begg, ScD, vice provost for aca- pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, demic programs at Columbia and professor of biostatistics at endodontics, periodontics, or prosthodontics; started dual degree the Mailman School of Public Health, urged the graduates to programs; or started work in private practice. “remind yourself every day that you were called to heal and do On Class Day, when graduates received individual honors, faculty so with pride and skill.” speaker Richard Lichtenthal, DDS, outgoing chair of the Section of In addition to completing a rigorous curriculum that included Cariology and Restorative Sciences, urged graduates to take advan- patient treatment, members of the Class of 2016, who represented 15 tage of new digital technologies in the field without losing sight of states and 53 colleges, were devoted to many extracurricular activi- the value of making personal connections with their patients.
Student awards College of Dental The Campbell Award Divisional Excellence Award presented at the 2016 Medicine National (for leadership and in Oral and Maxillofacial Class Day ceremony: Student Leadership Award Columbia spirit) Surgery Ashli Cumberbatch Alexandra Greco Yakov Yakubov Awards of Exceptional Achievement Omicron Kappa Upsilon Key Awards of Excellence Divisional Excellence Award (for outstanding scholarship) (to students who in Oral Biology Highest Academic Ross Aronson have demonstrated Yakov Yakubov Achievement Award Bianca Cabri the highest proficiency Ross Aronson Tiffany Campbell in a specific aspect Divisional Excellence Award Lewis Chen of dentistry) in Operative Dentistry Alpha Omega International Tiffany Chen Liset Perez Dental Fraternity Award for Jeffrey Farr College of Dental Academic Achievement Christopher Low Medicine Dental Practice Divisional Excellence Award Christopher Low Brittany Martin Administration Award in Orthodontics Jessica Quick Liza Horbar Ross Aronson New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Columbia Visiting Professor Divisional Excellence Award Divisional Excellence Award Professional Conduct Award Program Student Scholars in Behavioral Science in Periodontics Lewis Chen (sponsored by the Colgate- Anshul Mainkar Ryan Price Palmolive Company) Ella Marie Ewell Award Lewis Chen Divisional Excellence Award Divisional Excellence Award (for distinguished service Yehuda Isseroff in Community Health in Prosthodontics to fellow students) Chelsea Townes Lewis Chen Evan Chang New York State Dental Foundation Deans Award Divisional Excellence Award Divisional Excellence Award College of Dental Medicine (presented to third-year students in Pediatric Dentistry in Stomatology Leadership Award for academic accomplishment, Brianne Donohue Clayton Warder Raphael Liy committed service, and Jessica Quick membership in the American Divisional Excellence Milton G. Schlesinger Student Dental Association) Divisional Excellence Award Award in Epidemiology Research Excellence Award Lynda Asadourian in Endodontics and Biostatistics Neeraja Prabhakaran Mary Awadallah Sean Kim Clayton Warder
6 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 // GRADUATION 2016 Postdoctoral Graduation eventy-one graduates received certificates or master’s degrees S in June at the postdoctoral graduation ceremony held in the historic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights. The graduates, who came from across the United States and 12 coun- tries, completed from one to five years of study in dental public health, endodontics, professional achievement in implantology, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, advanced education Richard Yoon, chair of the Section of Growth and Development, and Steven Chussid, in general dentistry, general practice residency, pediatric den- director of the pediatric dentistry residency program, pose with graduates of the pediatric dentistry residency program, a joint program with NewYork-Presbyterian tistry, oral & maxillofacial pathology, and oral & maxillofacial Hospital and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. The graduates, from left: Kimberli surgery-MD integration. de Brito Leal, Rona Salomon, Keren Etzion, Alexandra Delfiner, and Evan Mann Cyrkin.
// COLLEGE NEWS Birnberg Research Program 2016 ore than a dozen CDM predoctoral and postdoctoral students Winners in the basic M mentored by a multidisciplinary faculty received honors at the science category, Shaun 59th Birnberg Research Program April 13 and 14, 2016. Per tradi- Darrah and Yena Jun, tion, the annual program, hosted by the college’s student research were chosen to repre- group, the Jarvie Society, showcases dental research by students sent CDM at the Hin- through poster presentations and includes a lecture by the recipi- man Student Research ent of the Birnberg Research Medal Award of the Dental Alumni of Symposium, a national Fabiola Douglas, Class of 2017, beside her poster Columbia University. This year’s recipient, Rena D’Souza, associate meeting that features at the Birnberg Research Day vice provost for research and professor of dental sciences, neurobi- oral and poster presen- ology & anatomy, and pathology at the University of Utah, gave a tations of research studies by dental students and graduate trainees lecture on “Novel Treatment Strategies for Craniofacial Disorders.” from dental schools across North America. Predoctoral and postdoctoral students presented 52 posters in the Predoctoral student Paul Lee received the Dentsply Student Cli- fields of basic science, clinical science, and public health, and in the nician Research Award and represented CDM at the annual ses- postdoctoral category. They were mentored by 28 faculty from CDM sion of the American Dental Association. Fabiola Douglas received and other schools, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons the Colgate Dental Students’ Conference on Research Award and and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. attended the fall conference hosted by the American Dental Associ- Thirty-four medical center faculty judges reviewed the poster presen- ation Foundation. Rachel Vorwaller was selected to represent CDM tations and selected winners. All poster abstracts were published in at a national meeting, such as the National Oral Health Conference the 2016 Jarvie Journal produced by the Jarvie Society. or the American Public Health Association annual meeting.
The first-place award recipients and poster titles (CDM mentors are listed in parentheses):
Predoctoral Basic Science Predoctoral Clinical Science Predoctoral Public Health Postdoctoral Shaun Darrah (Panos N. Paul Lee (Daniel S. Oh), Rachel Vorwaller (Angela Jaffer A. Shariff (Kavita Papapanou), “Porphyromonas “Etiological study of Ward, Burton Edelstein), P. Ahluwalia, Panos N. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide noncarious cervical “Reported use and perceived Papapanou), “Relationship dose-dependently activates lesions: effects of stress effectiveness of recommended between frequent recreational neutrophil gelatinase-associ- and biocorrosion” communication techniques: cannabis (marijuana and ated lipocalin expression in fourth year students at CDM” hashish) use and periodontitis oral keratinocytes” among U.S. adults: NHANES 2011-12”
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 7 CDMNews
// COLLEGE NEWS CDM to Offer New Degree he College of Dental Medicine has announced plans to offer degree is intended for dental school graduates who want to com- T a doctor of medical science degree in dental medicine—the bine their postgraduate training with work toward a doctorate. Med ScD—starting in 2017 or 2018. The new degree will pre- The curriculum will consist of coursework, clinical training, pare dentists to be independent investigators and academic lead- research training, and research in one of CDM’s specialty pro- ers by teaching research methodologies and supporting original grams: endodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial scientific research during postgraduate training in the dental surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics. school’s specialty programs. Students will choose a combination of required and elective A limited number of similar degrees are offered in the United courses based on a thesis research project and participate in clin- States. Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania are the ical and research training each year with a gradually increasing only other Ivy League schools that offer scientific doctorate degrees focus on research training and original research. that combine specialty and research training. “This degree will help The length of the Med ScD in dental medicine degree will be us create the next generation of clinicians/scientists in the field of den- determined by the student’s specialty. For example, a specialty tal medicine,” says Panos N. Papapanou, DDS, PhD, professor and in orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics will take six chair of oral, diagnostic, and rehabilitation sciences. “Graduates of years; a combined program in oral and maxillofacial surgery will the program will have a solid education in research methodology and take nine years. a proven track record of original scientific production in their respec- A doctorate-level degree is typically required for an academic career tive fields of study, all while becoming a specialist in their chosen field outside of the United States, so Columbia’s new degree should be wel- of dentistry. These independent investigators and academic leaders comed by CDM’s foreign students and graduates who in the past have will be capable of generating new knowledge that will ultimately con- gone elsewhere to seek training and an advanced degree beyond the tribute to evidence-based enhancements in oral health care.” DDS. The new degree should make CDM more competitive among The College of Dental Medicine has no degree higher than a all applicants seeking the most advanced training in dentistry. master’s degree other than the DDS degree. “The United States does not have enough dental clinicians/ To be eligible for the degree, candidates must have a DDS or scientists with successful independent research programs,” says DMD degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the equiva- Dr. Papapanou. “This doctorate will enable us to provide the lent education in dental medicine from a foreign country. Stu- advanced education, training, and degree that will prepare gradu- dents who have completed postgraduate training at another ates for professional careers that focus on research and academia.” accredited institution may enroll in the doctorate program if Application requirements for the new doctorate will be space allows, says Dr. Papapanou, who authored the Med ScD described in detail on the CDM website once the program receives program proposal that was approved by the university, but the New York state approval, which may take up to a year.
// GLOBAL REACH Consortium for Maxillofacial Radiology Receives Funding n the fourth round of funding from the Columbia President’s The Columbia University International Consortium for Max- I Global Innovation Fund, a project led by Samuel J. Zeichner, illofacial Radiology is an inter-institutional, cross-disciplinary DMD, associate professor of dental medicine and director of the project that addresses the critical global shortage of physicians Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, received a grant. or dentists trained in maxillofacial radiology. The project brings The President’s Global Innovation Fund awards grants for fac- together 10 of the world’s most seasoned maxillofacial radiolo- ulty members to leverage and engage Columbia Global Centers as gists to form a faculty hosted at Columbia University Medical a way to develop new projects and research collaborations that will Center. The goal of the program is to provide high-level training increase global opportunities for research, teaching, and service. Dr. to surgical residents, radiology residents, pathology residents, Zeichner’s project, “Columbia University International Consortium and medical and dental students at CUMC while simultaneously for Maxillofacial Radiology,” was one of 12 projects funded after engaging medical/dental trainees across the globe via bimonthly review by a committee of senior faculty from both the Morningside teleconferences. Dr. Zeichner’s project received the support of and medical center campuses. Columbia’s East Asian Global Center.
8 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 LEAVE YOUR LEGACY AND BUILD ON OURS
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO William Gies left his legacy as the founding father of modern dentistry. By naming Columbia University College of Dental Medicine as a beneficiary of a planned gift, such as a bequest, charitable gift annuity or charitable trust, you will benefit the College, and become a member of the William Gies Society.
With your help The College of Dental Medicine will provide greater research intensive opportunities, embrace new technologies and develop personalized educational experiences to ensure our students are primed to become the leaders of tomorrow.
PLANNED GIFTS CAN BE STRUCTURED TO: · Minimize your tax burden · Provide income to you during your lifetime · Create an enduring benefit to CDM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANNED GIFTS PLEASE CONTACT: Geraldine Connors Sr. Director of Development 212-342-5612 [email protected]
To make your gift online, please visit dental.columbia.edu/giving Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 9 IDEAS THAT SHAPE THE Innovations FUTURE OF DENTAL MEDICINE
Researchers Identify Key Genes Behind Periodontal Disease
esearchers led by Panos N. Papapanou, DDS, PhD, profes- disease. The finding also could help identify sor and chair of oral, diagnostic, and rehabilitation sciences compounds that can be used in targeted, Transcriptomic heatmap at CDM, used genome-wide reverse engineering of healthy individualized treatments of severe periodon- of gene expression in R gingival tissues and diseased gum tissue to identify key genes that regulate path- titis, before loss of teeth and supportive bone ways involved in the development of periodontal disease. occurs. The findings were published in the Journal of Dental Research. The researchers identified genes that serve as master regula- Not all genes are created equal. In gene expression studies, tors, i.e., are central to the deployment of pathways that may investigators typically find those genes that are expressed at a dif- cause periodontitis. The finding is a vital step toward develop- ferent level between healthy and diseased tissues. Unfortunately, ing less invasive methods for early detection of severe periodontal such studies fail to identify causal genes that have outsized effects
10 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 on several pathways although their own expression changes are compounds that interrupt their action and create treatments in small, or to distinguish among the genes that drive pathology and the future that may stop periodontal disease at its source. “Now those that are carried along on the cascade of events triggered by it’s important to do the downstream work to test these genes in the driver genes—secondary passengers, if you will. experimental models,” says Dr. Papapanou. The recent study used Dr. Papapanou and his team sifted through the thousands of tissue samples collected dur- genes that differ between healthy and diseased gum tissue to ing surgical procedures under identify the 41 key genes that regulate pathways that account local anesthesia. Now that for the development or maintenance of periodontal disease. they have identified the mas- “Our approach narrows down the list of potentially interest- ter regulator genes most rel- Having“” a handful ing regulatory genes,” says Dr. Papapanou. “Having a handful of evant to periodontal disease, of genes that really genes that really represent the key players in the process is very researchers are refining their important because then you can focus on those genes instead of biopsy methods to develop represent the the whole transcriptome.” minimally invasive approaches key players in the To identify the relevant genes, Dr. Papapanou partnered with that require no or only mini- investigators in Columbia’s epidemiology, systems biology, and mal numbing of the gums. process is very biomedical informatics departments who have developed algo- Many of the genes identi- important. rithms to reverse-engineer the regulatory genes behind tumor fied by Dr. Papapanou and growth. The team started by detailing all of the messenger RNA his team are implicated in expressed in healthy or inflamed gum tissues collected from 120 immune and inflammatory pathways, confirming clinical obser- patients with periodontal disease. They applied the ARACNE vations of the development of periodontal disease. algorithm developed at CUMC to create a network model of In earlier work, Dr. Papapanou and his collaborators detailed interactions among genes and then used the MARINA algorithm the transcriptomic patterns associated with two forms of peri- to identify genes that disrupt healthy tissue and drive the transi- odontal disease, paving the way for a new system for classify- tion from gingival health to pathology. ing disease based on its genomic signature. The current project By focusing on the global effect on tissue health of the peri- extends that work, homing in on the pathways that exert the odontal master regulator genes, investigators will be able to test most influence on the cascade of pathology.
New Center Harnesses Big Data, Technology for Better Dentistry
o prepare for the rapid changes will be co-director. Dr. Errante joined that data into information to inform in the health care environment in the school in early 2016 to lead change teaching and clinical practice and offer T the coming decades, the College of management efforts to improve clinical tremendous new research opportunities.” Dental Medicine has created the Center performance in health care outcomes, Dr. Finkelstein focuses on the develop- for Bioinformatics and Data Analytics in compliance, and finance. ment and implementation of innovative Oral Health to harness the power of data “The data we will gather from the new technologies that support personalized care. to inform patient-centered dental care. operatories planned to open on VC-5 in “I really wanted to be part of the College of In September, Dean Christian S. Stohler, 2017 are unprecedented and extremely Dental Medicine because it has a long tradi- DMD, DrMedDent, announced the recruit- exciting,” says Dr. Stohler. “For example, tion at the forefront of dental informatics,” ment of Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD, as we expect to track how care is delivered, says Dr. Finkelstein, noting in particular associate professor of health informat- how patients respond, and patient and the 1991 publication by Columbia faculty ics in dentistry to co-found and direct provider stress levels during treatment. member John Zimmerman, DDS, of “Den- the new center. Joseph V. Errante, DDS, Under the leadership of Drs. Finkelstein tal Informatics,” an important early text- senior associate dean for clinical services, and Errante, this new center will transform book on oral health informatics.
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 11 Innovations
Capture Data Organize Data In a Learning (Actively and into Actionable Passively) Information Health Care System, Research Creating a Learning Oral Influences Health Care System Practice to Personalize Care Delivery Models and Practice Influences Research “Learn” Analyze Outcomes New Care (What Works and Protocols What Doesn’t)
A hub of research and education, the cen- tal group practices, and niche health care health, engineering, business, social work, ter will focus on individualized patient care delivery systems—gives him unique insight and more.” as well as patient satisfaction. “Health care into the problems facing health care systems In addition to offering educational pro- costs have been spiraling to unsustainable and practical solutions to address them. grams—new degrees and fellowships in levels with estimates of 30 percent of the For example, the creation of interac- dental informatics may be on the horizon— costs attributed to waste and errors,” says tive tools, including surveys before and the center will facilitate the expansion of Dr. Errante. “This requires more knowl- after visits, will allow patients to be more the school’s research portfolio in data sci- effectively engaged in their oral health care. ences and precision medicine. The develop- Passive data collection tools like a patient ment, collection, and analysis of extensive wait-time tracker will allow providers data from sources such as the forthcoming “” to assess the efficiency of resources for center for digital dentistry and simulation Use of emerging care delivery. The utilization of emerging learning—a high-tech clinic space featuring technologies offers technologies will offer opportunities to 48 operatories scheduled for 2017—will opportunities to improve payment structures in systems of advance evidence-based scholarship in oral oral health care. health informatics and also support faculty improve payment This interdisciplinary work will rely on and clinical activities. structures in oral contributions from a number of collabora- “This center will allow faculty from the health care systems. tors. “Part of the goal of the center is to college and beyond to utilize tremendous use data analytics to better understand the resources and implement them in a learning interconnections between oral health and health care delivery environment,” says Dr. edge of and precision with therapies that systemic diseases, so we will engage spe- Finkelstein. “In a learning health care sys- produce outcomes predictably.” Dr. Erran- cialty medical providers as collaborators in tem, research influences practice and prac- te’s experience as a clinician and entrepre- this analysis,” says Dr. Finkelstein. “This tice influences research. This will establish a neur—he has built, operated, and sold will truly be a collaborative endeavor with continuous cycle of care improvement that leading dental benefit businesses, large den- partners including the schools of public prioritizes each individual patient.”
12 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 We are building the future on TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT VC-5, and there is an operatory Geraldine Connors, with your name on it. Senior Director of Development [email protected] (212) 342-5612 A DENTAL STUDENT FOR OUR TIME: Holistic, Community-Minded, Diverse, Transformed
By Jonathan Sapers
INTEREST:
ORTHODONTICS
FOURTH YEAR DDS MARY AWADALLAH
INTEREST:
VICTOR LEE
PROSTHODONTICS FOURTH YEAR DDS
hen Victor Lee was studying pharmacology as a pre- He studied hard for the dental school entrance exams and did med student at Stony Brook University, he was sure of well, but did not get accepted to Columbia on his first attempt after Wone thing in terms of a career goal. “It’s really funny taking the test late and missing the application deadline. Still, he because I actually did not want to be a dentist at all,” says the remembers loving the school’s atmosphere and can even name the fourth-year student at Columbia University College of Dental students he met during his visit. Medicine. “It was literally the last thing on my list.” Over the next year, he kept in touch with the school, kept work- The reason was personal. His father had been a dentist in China ing at the dental offices and, in his spare time, coached a local but had given it up to get his family to the United States. After arriv- dragon boat team (a kind of competitive rowing that takes place ing here, he worked odd jobs to feed his family, says Mr. Lee, includ- in a 20-person craft mounted with a dragon’s head). He also com- ing cooking in a takeout restaurant. But he never forgot his previous peted in the world dragon boat championship in Europe. He was profession and encouraged his son to pursue it. “You should think accepted at Columbia on his second try and hit the ground running. about it,” his father kept suggesting. “Think about it.” Something of a self-described wallflower at Stony Brook, Mr. Lee After graduating from Stony Brook, Mr. Lee did think about has been transformed at Columbia. He is a chatty popular campus it. He tried working in two dental offices and became so inspired character, greeting other students as he gives a visitor a tour and by the dentists he worked for that he did change his mind. “They joking with faculty and administrators. He has served as an admis- were really good mentors,” he says. “I really liked the way they sions ambassador and vice president of the American Student Den- interacted with their patients. It was definitely eye-opening.” tal Association and is president of his class. He is also studying at INTEREST:
ORTHODONTICS
FOURTH YEAR DDS MARY AWADALLAH
DDS 2015 RESIDENT
CHELSEA TOWNES
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
SCOTT BUENO
THIRD YEAR DDS
INTEREST: ORAL AND
MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
COLUMBIA PREPARES STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN THE NEW DENTAL LANDSCAPE
DDS 2015 RESIDENT
DIVYA KHERA
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Photographs by Jörg Meyer “I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT SCHOOL SPIRIT WAS ABOUT UNTIL I GOT HERE. MAN, I’M PRETTY PROUD TO SAY I’M FROM COLUMBIA.” — VICTOR LEE
night for a dual degree in science education at Columbia’s Teachers Significant change is coming as dentistry is swept into the insur- College and will remain at Columbia next fall for a prosthodontics ance fold by inclusion of children’s dental care in the Affordable residency. He is a dyed-in-the-wool devotee of all things Columbia. Health Care Act, says James Fine, DMD, senior associate dean “I never really understood what school spirit was about until I got for academic affairs. here,” he says. “Man, I’m pretty proud to say I’m from Columbia.” The change will require a shift in perspective for dentists, who will need to take an increasingly holistic approach. “You elcome to the new world of Columbia’s College of Den- approach the patient in a holistic manner, starting with the Wtal Medicine, where the venerable school is evolving to patient’s mind, and factor in the patient’s well-being,” says Dr. adapt to and shape a profession being transformed by scientific Fine. “You then move to the whole body, and then head and advances, drawing on its tradition that requires students to take neck, then to the jaw, and then, finally, to the teeth.” their first year and a half alongside medical students. It is for From the insurance perspective, it will no longer be accept- that reason, even as it begins to implement a new master space able for dentists to avoid tracing oral health issues back to other plan, that it never considered leaving its facilities within Colum- causes, such as diabetes, smoking, and alcohol use. “Given the bia’s medical center. Sharing a campus not only with the medi- inclusion of dental care in the evolving health care system, we cal school, but also with schools of nursing and public health expect to see changes in the way dentists are reimbursed,” Dr. Fine benefits the school as it anticipates a future where dentistry will says. “We’ll be reimbursed for helping maintain the overall well- become more deeply integrated with the total health care system. ness of the patient. What matters is not that you fixed one tooth “We have drawn a line in the sand that we are going to educate our but you prevented the patient from losing the rest of his teeth.” graduates as oral health physicians,” says Dennis Mitchell, DDS, vice The new approach will require more holistically and human- provost for faculty diversity and inclusion and associate professor of istically trained dentists, attentive to issues beyond the mouth. dental medicine. “It’s clear that parts of our profession are moving The school has a pain management clinic where nursing and against that and away from that. But we’re holding the line.” social work students work alongside dental students to diagnose More than holding the line, the school is further advancing its patients’ discomfort. The school also has increased the amount of integration of oral health care into general health care through facil- time students spend in clinic training. ities renovation. It has acquired an additional floor in the Vander- Dr. Fine believes this new wider focus may, in time, replace the solo bilt Clinic to build a modern clinic with chairs that are not only practitioner model of care. “Like optometry and medicine before it, equipped with the latest technology but also are designed to accom- dentistry will be incorporated into larger systems of care,” he says. modate the new approach to dentistry that the school believes is And Dr. Fine believes the pace of change in the profession, just around the corner if not already here: general dentists sharing accelerated by technology and research, will be breathtaking. “It space with nurses and social workers and practices with colleagues used to be that you could train a student without anticipating a lot across the specialties, including pediatric dentists and orthodontists. of changes in how they would practice five, 10, 15, even 20 years
16 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 down the line,” he says, “but the impact of outcomes research and For example, Mary Awadallah, a fourth-year student who will technological advances is increasing. In five years, our students are begin her residency in orthodontics at Montefiore Medical Center going to start seeing changes in treatments, techniques, reimburse- next fall, missed the opportunities she had while at Yale to mentor ment, and data management.” younger girls and decided to start a mentoring program at Colum- One way the school has begun to prepare students for these bia called Bloom. “We go once a week, mentor the middle school changes is by offering dual degrees that broaden students’ abilities. girls, talk to them about different subjects of relevance to middle The school is also spending more time exposing students to new schoolers—body image, healthy eating, racism and sexism, personal technology. “For decades, we would put a tiny piece of film in the identity, confidence building,” Ms. Awadallah says. patient’s mouth and just take images of the tooth,” Dr. Fine says. Middle school is a difficult period and Ms. Awadallah says some- “We’ve moved to imaging larger parts of the patient’s head and neck times just the physical presence of mentors helps. “When your areas and using 3-D images to help provide more accurate diagnoses. confidence is wavering, through the peril, the turbulence of middle We use scanners connected to 3-D printers so instead of taking an school, just having an older girl go and spend time with you shows impression of your teeth to make a replacement, we scan the area you that you matter.” and have it 3-D printed or milled or CAD-CAMed.” Ms. Awadallah remembers going to the orthodontist as being a But Dr. Fine says the new realities of dentistry will not be the positive antidote to her own difficult middle school experience as school’s only concern. It also will focus on expanding students’ par- a child of immigrant (Egyptian) parents growing up in suburban ticipation in working with underserved communities in accordance Long Island. And she dreams of one day having an orthodontic with Columbia University’s core values. “One of Dean Christian practice that would play the same role for other adolescent girls. “I Stohler’s goals is that we will offer more care to underserved popu- want to have a practice where I’m seeing middle school and early lations in locations ranging from Manhattanville to other parts of high school kids and then seeing their siblings grow up and also the world. We want to instill a commitment to serving the under- needing ortho treatment and have everyone in the neighborhood served early on in our students’ careers.” say, ‘Oh, yeah, Dr. Mary’s my orthodontist.’” Simultaneously, the school has begun to tweak its admissions Scott Bueno, a third-year student, also was inspired to start his efforts. Not by adjusting its high standards (the school has vied own mentoring program by his experience in college. He was an with Harvard for first and second place in terms of the academic officer with the Sage Mentorship Program at Berkeley, and during excellence of its admitted students for the past decade), but, as San- his interview at Columbia, he made a point of asking if he could dra Garcia, assistant dean of admissions and student affairs, puts it, start a similar program at CDM. He was gratified when his inter- “really paying attention to everything else.” And one constant in the viewer said Columbia was “the place to do it.” new student population seems to be the school’s apparent success in So Mr. Bueno started Heights Helpers, which pairs dental stu- attracting students who already have an interest in working with the dents with sixth graders at a nearby charter school. “The idea is underserved communities that Dr. Fine mentioned. that you’re a positive role model for kids who need a little extra
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 17 “I WANTED TO BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE I FELT THAT IT WAS COLLABORATIVE AND I FELT THE STUDENTS REALLY HELPED EACH OTHER.” — DIVYA KHERA
help in school,” Mr. Bueno says. “We go there weekly for an she met on her visit that Columbia would be different from her hour and a half. It’s a continued program because there are lots undergraduate experience. “Duke is pretty cutthroat especially of programs where you’ll go in for the day, for the week, just when you’re in the sciences and I really wanted to be in an environ- long enough for the kids to learn to trust you and then you leave ment for grad school where I felt that it was collaborative and I felt and you might not come back for a year or at all. So then the kids the students really helped each other.” are afraid to trust anyone again.” Her parents, Indian-born physicians who came to the United For Mr. Bueno, the program is an outgrowth of his interest in States in their 20s, wanted her to go to the University of Pitts- health care. “I like to give back and to help people,” he says. “I burgh, near her hometown of Erie, Pa. But when Dr. Khera was think it’s the kind of person you’re going to attract to the health care accepted at Columbia her father agreed to visit with her and see profession in general, but here at Columbia I see that more so than what had impressed her. anywhere else that I interviewed.” Dr. Khera’s father was won over by the admissions staff, particu- Cultivating an environment that welcomes student projects is larly Laureen Zubiaurre Bitzer, DMD, associate dean for predoc- taking on increasing importance for the school. Behind the scenes, toral admissions and associate professor of clinical dental medicine, Ms. Garcia says, setting up Heights Helpers was not a slam dunk. known affectionately to students as “Dr. Z.” After a meeting and a Several rounds of discussions were held before a framework could tour with Dr. Z, Dr. Khera’s father was all in. “My dad’s like, ‘Yeah, be developed. But having the flexibility to allow the students to you’re going here. I see what you mean.’” build their own organizations and have a say in how the school The effort to focus on the “everything else” that Ms. Garcia operates is an important part of the school’s values system. referred to has resulted in a successful effort to diversify the student That spirit is also reflected in the extent to which students are body, says Dr. Mitchell. Each 80-student class in the dental school now involved in the admissions process itself. According to Ms. now has a critical mass of underrepresented minorities—20 percent Garcia, several years ago students began asking if they could par- in each class and 24 percent for the newest class, the Class of 2020. ticipate in interviews with prospective students, could give students In 2002, the school’s percentage of underrepresented minorities tours, answer their questions, and take applicants to lunch. So the was only 3 percent—one minority student in the first-year class. school developed an admissions ambassador program. Since then, when Dr. Mitchell, a former public health dentist who The change sent a message to incoming students. “I think that now splits his time between the dental school and Columbia Uni- when someone decides they want to come here after seeing that, they versity’s senior administration, was called in to help improve the know that there’s an opportunity for them to be involved at that same numbers, they have steadily climbed. One key factor Dr. Mitchell level,” Ms. Garcia says. “And that as an institution we encourage stu- attributes to the change: The dental school created the dental com- dents to be involved and we listen to them. I think that’s refreshing.” ponent of what is now the Summer Medical and Dental Educa- Divya Khera, a 2015 graduate now in a pediatric dentistry resi- tion Program, a program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson dency at Columbia, says she immediately picked up from students Foundation that brings pre-medical and pre-dental undergradu-
18 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 “MY DREAM WOULD BE TO COMBINE PEDIATRICS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, TEACHING, EVERYTHING.” — CHELSEA TOWNES
ate students of color to campuses across the country each sum- Also, it says to the other student leaders that they might want mer. The program regularly yields dental school students. As Dr. to consider coming to Columbia for residency or to specialize.” Mitchell tells it, in 2002, a medical student in the program hosted Support at school matters too. Each year Dr. Mitchell selects an by Columbia (the program did not then have a dental component) older minority student to support and mentor younger ones. This asked if he could focus on dentistry instead and the dental school year’s selection was Chelsea Townes, an aspiring pediatric dentist helped him do it. “It just so happened the stars were aligned,” Dr. from Hackensack, N.J., who in May received dual degrees from Mitchell says. “There was a site visit that summer and the Robert Columbia’s College of Dental Medicine and the Mailman School Wood Johnson people interviewed the student about his experi- of Public Health. ence. The foundation then asked us to consider piloting a dental In college, Dr. Townes was interested in public health and worked program for a couple of years.” Now, nine of the program’s 12 for two summers in the Bergen County Health Department. Then sites host dental students in the summer (but none is more popular she happened to go to her dentist. “We were just talking and I told than Columbia’s, Dr. Mitchell says). him I was working at this public health department and how crazy The underrepresented minority students are showing impres- political it is and how pressured it is. He asked me if I had ever sive leadership qualities. Recent statistics include three of the thought about dentistry.” past eight presidents of the Student National Dental Association Dr. Townes had not, but she became interested and decided to (a historically black student dental association), successive trust- give it a try. After graduating from Penn, she completed a postbac at ees of the Hispanic Student Dental Association, and chapter of Columbia before starting at the dental school. the year awards in both organizations, not to mention the first Although her dentist and mentor had been concerned that Colum- black student body president and the first black president of the bia might be too stuffy for her, Dr. Townes was pleasantly surprised. American Student Dental Association. “They told us the medical curriculum had been condensed so a shift Dr. Mitchell says he is not surprised by those achievements, but toward making sure we have more clinical work was possible.” he points out that students only get to showcase those skills if they That meant Columbia was a place where she didn’t have to have their school’s support, including a willingness to pay for stu- give up her former interest in public health. “I always knew I dents to travel to events. “Dean Stohler has placed a new level of wanted to continue doing public health if I could,” she says. energy and dedication on this,” Dr. Mitchell says. “We didn’t have “But doing clinical work and having one-on-one interactions resources targeted to bring our students to national forums before, with patients is definitely a goal for me. I don’t want to ever just and he has committed those resources.” sit behind a desk and do research.” For this year’s Hispanic Dental Association meeting, for exam- Dr. Townes has now started a pediatric residency on Long Island. ple, the school sponsored 18 students plus faculty members, the “My dream would be to combine pediatrics with public health, dean, and Dr. Mitchell. “We went there in force,” Dr. Mitchell community outreach, teaching, everything. But that would be a says, “just to remind everybody that Columbia is the place to be. dream. I’ll see if it actually happens.”
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 19 Columbia Dental Medicine at
People, Events, and Milestones that Define the School’s First Century
By Martha T. Moore
Highlights from the History of the College of Dental Medicine
1917 Dental School Established Columbia University Trustees estab- lish the Columbia University Dental School retroactively to Sept. 17, 1916. The school is co-located with the College of Physicians and Sur- 1898 1916 geons on 59th Street. Two students 1919 School’s Guiding Light Founding Document enroll. Later that year the New York Post-graduate School of Dentistry William J. Gies, PhD, the future A group of prominent New York Journal of Dental Research and the New York School of Dental guiding light for Columbia’s dentists, physicians, and scientists William J. Gies, PhD, establishes the Hygiene are merged into Columbia’s dental school, joins the Columbia submits a proposal to establish a Journal of Dental Research, which dental school. University faculty at age 26. His dental school. The proposal, titled enhances the research mission of research on the causes of dental “A Dental School on University dental schools across the nation. caries leads him to meet leading Lines,” sets forth the enduring prin- dental practitioners in New York, ciples that general health and oral who together will found a dental health are closely related and that school at Columbia. the school of dentistry should have close ties with the medical school.
20 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 hank Joseph Schroff and Sidney Kramer for signing up. Alfred Owre: Prescient Yet Out of Step The two men who enrolled as the first dental students at When Alfred Owre arrived in 1927 to become Columbia University in 1916 entered a fledgling program Columbia’s dental school dean, he was an admired that would take nearly a decade to reach critical mass. Yet dentist and physician and a medical educator who T had worked with William J. Gies on the landmark its essential philosophy—to be a dental school within the structure of a university—was already formally established. Like today’s 80 students report that set the standards for training dentists in the class of 2020, the earliest dental students studied alongside medi- within the broader context of medicine. cal students for their first classes. Unlike today, they had to trek from Six years later—having feuded with Gies, those basic science classes on West 59th Street to their clinical studies infuriated much of the dental profession, and on East 34th Street, with a stop along the way to grab lunch at Horn alienated the Columbia faculty—Dr. Owre was forced out of his job. & Hardart. Dr. Owre’s ideas on dental education and the Thousands of students have graduated with Columbia dental degrees structure of the dental profession are as relevant since Schroff and Kramer matriculated 100 years ago, and thousands of now as they were then—and no less controver- individual moments and decisions—by students, by faculty, in patient sial. The fight over his proposals for the dental care, in the research lab, in the dean’s office—now make up the history school embodied the tensions inherent in viewing of Columbia’s dental school. The College of Dental Medicine’s story dentistry as an integral part of medicine and den- is one of remarkable continuity: a commitment to educating dental tal practitioners as independent professionals. students, to research, and to serving the community. To recognize the Born in Norway, Dr. Owre led the Univer- centennial anniversary of the College of Dental Medicine, the school’s sity of Minnesota’s dental school for more than magazine revisits—with the help of a new book authored by dean emer- 20 years before coming to Columbia. Tall and itus Allan J. Formicola—some of the critical moments, circumstances, thin, an aesthete and passionate collector of By Martha T. Moore individuals, and decisions that shaped the school and its students. cloisonné, over the course of his life Dr. Owre
1923 1926 School Merges with College of Dental William J. Gies Publishes and Oral Surgery of New York Landmark Report The Columbia University Dental “Dental Education in the United States School changes its name to the and Canada” is published by the Carn- School of Dental and Oral Surgery— egie Foundation for the Advancement 1927 1922 SDOS—when it merges with the Col- of Teaching. It contains 250 pages Alfred Owre Becomes Dean First DDS Degree lege of Dental and Oral Surgery of of text and more than 400 pages of appendices, including descriptions and Dr. Owre is recruited from the Uni- Joseph Schroff becomes the first New York, established in 1892. The evaluations of existing dental schools, versity of Minnesota. He brings 17 recipient of a Columbia DDS degree. two buildings the college occupies on each of which Dr. Gies visited during faculty members from Minnesota to He also earns an MD degree from East 34th and 35th streets become five years of research. He uses the join him at Columbia. Dr. Owre’s the College of Physicians and Sur- Columbia University property. Stu- Columbia school as the model for the vision of rigorous education fits in geons. He goes on to serve on the dents take basic science classes in the future of all dental schools. “Dental well with the School of Dental and dental school faculty for many years. morning on 59th Street, then walk down to 34th and 35th streets for Education in the United States and Oral Surgery, but many of his ideas dental technique classes. Canada” remains a seminal piece of regarding the structure of dentistry as research within dentistry. a profession are considered contro- versial. Resistance to his ideas grows, leading to a leave of absence in 1933.
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 21 hiked thousands of miles, walking stick in hand. He stopped competition—or the implication only for 10 minutes in each hour of walking, to rest and snack that patients were being forced to on the dark chocolate he carried, along with two toothbrushes choose between unaffordably high and a pistol, in his knapsack. fees or poor care. His appointment as dean came shortly after the dental school Dr. Owre also proposed that had taken a leap forward. By 1920, the School of Dentistry of routine dental work be performed Columbia University, as it was then named, had absorbed two by technicians under the supervi- small start-up dental schools but still had only 20 students. A 1923 sion of a dentist-physician acting merger with the much-larger College of Dental and Oral Surgery largely as a stomatologist. This, Dr. allowed the Columbia program to reach critical mass. The merged Owre said, would make dental care school was renamed the School of Dental and Oral Surgery. more widely available and afford- Dr. Owre’s first task was to move the dental school from its mid- able at a time when there were too town location—in buildings that had been owned by the College few dentists for the population. of Dental and Oral Surgery—to the new Columbia-Presbyterian Only too late did he add that
Medical Center in Washington Heights. The dental school and its this should be a gradual change in Alfred Owre 156 students moved into three floors in the Vanderbilt Clinic build- what he called the “medico-den- ing, where it remains today. In 1929, Dr. Owre received an honor- tal profession,” not a wholesale sacking of currently practicing ary doctorate from the university, one of the few dentists ever to be dentists and dental students. Just two years into his appointment, so honored. In 1930, he won a grant, worth nearly $1.5 million in wrote his biographer Netta Wilson, “the dentists of New York today’s dollars, to study the causes of dental decay. were coming to regard him as something of a fanatic.” But then Dr. Owre opened the dental school’s new clinic in the It didn’t help that Dr. Owre fired right back at his critics, call- Vanderbilt building on 168th Street. He said the clinic would serve ing members of one professional group “tradesmen and huck- middle-class patients unable to afford quality dental care. In the sters” and those who opposed him “the ignorant majority.” In midst of the Depression, practicing dentists did not appreciate the the Red-fearing 1930s, he was an admirer of socialized medicine
Highlights from the History of the College of Dental Medicine
1928 1945 School Moves to 168th Street School Formally Merges SDOS moves into the top three Into the Faculty of Medicine floors of the Vanderbilt Clinic The school becomes part of building on West 168th Street, Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, where the College of Physicians 1934 which leads to a controversy with and Surgeons and the Presbyterian Willard Rappleye Becomes Dean 1935 the Council on Dental Education, Hospital also move to form a Dr. Rappleye, dean of the College the accrediting agency. historic academic medical center. of Physicians and Surgeons, takes 2 Faculty Members Murdered on the additional role of dean of Victor Koussow, a quarrelsome the dental school, serving as dean of school laboratory technician, fatally both schools for the next 25 years. shoots Associate Dean Arthur Rowe Dr. Rappleye appoints Dr. Arthur and Dr. Paul Wiberg and injures one T. Rowe, the head of prosthetics, as other faculty member. He commits associate dean to carry out day-to-day suicide as police arrive to investigate. operations. He later appoints Hough- ton Holiday, Bion East, Maurice Hickey, and Gilbert Smith (who later becomes dean) as associate deans.
22 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 in general and the Soviet system in particular. When he died in of replacing Dr. Owre, Columbia President Nicholas Murray 1935, two years after leaving his post under pressure, the dental Butler in 1934 simply gave Dr. Rappleye the additional title of school faculty memorialized his “prophetic attitude,” politely dean of the School of Dental and Oral Surgery, with Dr. Arthur adding, “He walked ahead of his time, and therefore not always Rowe serving as associate dean for the dental school. in step with his contemporaries.” The subsequent merger of the two faculties set off a storm of Has the College of Dental Medicine, as it is now named, objection from dental school alumni and split the faculty: Half voted caught up with its controversial dean? Columbia’s dental faculty for the merger, half against. The school’s loss of accreditation cost practice, a modern version of Dr. Owre’s clinic, was inaugurated the graduates too: Some states refused to license Columbia gradu- in the 1980s and expanded with new facilities in 2008. Dental ates because their degrees were not from an accredited school. Fac- therapists, similar to Dr. Owre’s technicians, are now allowed ulty worried that Dr. Rappleye would favor the medical school over to practice in Maine, Minnesota, Vermont, and on tribal lands the dental school in financial matters and they noted that the dental in Alaska. The innovation continues to be controversial and is school no longer controlled its own faculty appointment process. opposed by the American Dental Association. The ADA felt a dental school should have a full-time dean. Dr. Owre would find the argument familiar. “He was prescient,” Columbia did not. “We aimed to train better dentists than before,” says former dean Ira Lamster, DDS, also a strong believer in inte- Dr. Rappleye said in 1945, when the state dental society asked the grating dentistry and medicine. “But they ran him out of town.” New York Regents to look into the merger of the two schools. The ADA relented and reaccredited the dental school in 1951. Combined Medical and Dental Faculties Only after Dr. Rappleye’s retirement in 1958 did the School of Dental In 1945 Willard Rappleye, dean of the medical and dental schools, and Oral Surgery regain its independence, when university President merged the dental faculty into the medical school. The move cost Grayson Kirk elevated Gilbert Smith from associate dean to dean. the dental school its accreditation from the American Dental Asso- But the belief that dentistry and medicine are closely interre- ciation and at least three faculty members, who resigned in protest. lated remains. Today, the very name of the dental school reflects Ironically, it was Alfred Owre’s forced departure that had it: In 2006, Dr. Lamster proposed the School of Dental and Oral brought the medical and dental schools closer together. Instead Surgery become the College of Dental Medicine. “The old name
1947 1950 First Postdoctoral Candidates Graduate Pedodontics Postdoctoral SDOS issues postdoctoral Specialty Program Established certificates in four specialty areas: Now called pediatric dentistry, the 1968 oral surgery, general dentistry, postdoctoral pedodontics program 1959 Melvin Moss Becomes Dean periodontics (one of the first is established by Ewing Cleveland A professor in the P&S anatomy SDOS Separates from the programs in the United States), and McBeath, DDS, MD. It is one of department, Dr. Moss recruits new Faculty of Medicine orthodontics, a program that dates the earliest programs of its kind in full-time faculty and strengthens the back to 1917. the world. Columbia University approves research mission of the school. a separate faculty, the Faculty of Dental and Oral Surgery. The associate dean’s position under the former arrangement is restored to dean. Gilbert Smith becomes dean of SDOS.
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 23 was cute but sort of irrelevant,” Dr. Lamster says. The new name But the state aid cuts of the early 1990s were different; they “reflected who and what we were. Dentists had to function in an changed the makeup of the student body. Without a financial inter-professional world.” incentive to enroll mostly New York students, the dental school began to recruit nationwide. By 2006, 75 percent of the school’s State Budget Crisis Transforms the Student Body dental students came from outside New York. The larger appli- By the end of the 1980s, Columbia was very much a local school. To cant pool has led to an increase in selectivity, resulting in stu- receive per-student funding from the state, the dental school had to dents with higher test scores. enroll more than 70 percent of its students from within New York. “It did make us stronger,” says Allan Formicola, DDS, dean First- and second-year students were worth $1,500 each; upperclass- emeritus, who led the dental school through the years of slashed men $2,500. State funds also subsidized the school’s dental clinic. public funding. Enter Gov. Mario Cuomo and a multiyear state budget crisis. Between 1986 and 1993, seven private universities shut down their In a series of budget cuts, “capitation” funds and the dental clinic dental schools, in part due to the loss of state and federal aid. Colum- subsidies were slashed. Nearly 25 percent of the dental school’s bia’s near-death experience also increased the university’s determina- revenue vanished. The dental school had to make painful cuts, tion to make the dental school fiscally sound, Dr. Formicola says. “It including the layoff of part-time faculty members, and add eve- made everybody realize: They wanted the dental school.” ning and weekend hours to the teaching clinic to increase revenue. To be sure, financial challenges have been more common than Into the Neighborhoods: A Community Dental Program not in the school’s history, as any administrator will relate. “Every Too many kids at I.S. 143 had toothaches. They sat outside prin- year, every month, every week,” says Dr. Lamster. In 1964, the cipal Phyllis Williams’ office, in too much pain to sit in class and ADA put the school’s accreditation on provisional status, which learn. And Washington Heights had few, if any, dental services the New York Times, in a front-page story, indicated was due for them. to inadequate financial support from the university. Columbia That’s what Ms. Williams wrote to Dr. Formicola shortly after he President Grayson Kirk admitted as much but said the university became dean of the School of Dental and Oral Surgery in 1978. “It had no money to improve the dental school’s facilities. was one of those transformative letters,” Dr. Formicola says.
Highlights from the History of the College of Dental Medicine
1977 1982 Vanderbilt Clinic Renovated Dental Hygiene Program Closes SDOS facilities on Vanderbilt Clinic As community colleges across the floors 7, 8, and 9 undergo a total country establish two-year dental 1973 renovation with modern operatories hygiene programs, enrollment of and new equipment. 1978 students in university programs Edward Zegarelli Becomes Dean drops precipitously. Columbia Dr. Zegarelli, an eminent oral Allan J. Formicola Becomes Dean decides to close its program. pathologist and 1941 SDOS Dr. Formicola is the first dean in graduate, serves as dean from 1973 50 years to be appointed from until he retires in 1978. By the time outside the faculty. He previously he retires, he will have spent his served as acting dean at the New entire professional career on the Jersey Dental School and on faculty of SDOS. the faculties of the University of Alabama and Georgetown University. He serves as dean of SDOS for 23 years.
24 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 The program now has six in-school clinics and is on its second mobile van, dedicated in 2009 by Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees slugger who was born in Washington Heights. Mr. Rodriguez provided funds for the new van from his foundation. The idea of bringing dental care to children by putting clinics in schools can be traced to early in the school’s history when Frank Van Woert, chairman of the dental school from 1923 to 1926, tried to do the same thing. “He made a valiant fight for this project, and its lack of progress is not an indication of the time and energy he put into it,” the 1928 Columbia Dentor year-
JENNY ARMSTRONG’18 JENNY book said in describing Dr. Van Woert. Launching DentCare required no less “dogged determina- His reaction: “Of course we’ve got to do something. We needed tion,” Dr. Formicola says. “Where do you park a 36-foot van in not to lose sight of the fact that we were part of the community.” Manhattan? And where do you get gas for it?” The dental school’s response was a turning point: the begin- The dental school already had a history of focusing on under- ning of community-oriented programs that have led CDM and served patients. As early as 1951, the school established a post- its students to provide dental care for underserved children and doctoral program in care of those who were then referred to as elderly patients both in its neighborhood and overseas. “handicapped.” A program to care for patients with intellectual “If you want your students to understand the needs of the under- and physical disabilities began in 1974. served, you have to get them out there,” Dr. Formicola says. But Community DentCare took dental care to patients, not Community DentCare, an expansion of the school’s teaching the reverse. And it led to further efforts: In 2004, the dental col- clinic, was created to get dental students and dentistry into the lege launched ElderSmile, a prevention and treatment program community. In 1996, the first Community DentCare clinic opened with two community clinics, further expanding opportunities for in an 8-by-10-foot room at Principal Williams’ middle school. dental students to work outside the campus.
1995 Community DentCare 1988 SDOS establishes the Community 2000 New Residency Program DentCare network to provide care SDOS Leads $26 Million Project at Harlem Hospital in public schools and Head Start SDOS is selected by the Robert The Harlem Hospital-SDOS Special 1993 centers. A grant of $1 million Wood Johnson Foundation as the Postdoctoral Residency Program from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation national program office for the is established to train underrepre- Graduate Publishes Best-Selling Book, supports the effort. “Pipeline, Profession & Practice: sented minority residents in dental “Having Our Say” Community-Based Dental Educa- specialties, and 23 residents from Elizabeth (Bessie) Delany, a 1923 tion” demonstration project, the Harlem Hospital complete specialty graduate, publishes a book of life largest foundation initiative in programs in such fields as periodon- stories with her sister, Sarah (Sadie) dentistry ever funded. The W.K. tics, endodontics, orthodontics, Delany, a graduate of Teachers Col- Kellogg Foundation and the Califor- and pediatric dentistry. Graduates lege. The book recounts stories from nia Endowment also provide funds become faculty members at Colum- the lives of these two extraordinary for the project. The 10-year project bia, staff at Harlem Hospital, and African-American women who grew funds 23 dental schools to imple- practitioners in their specialty fields. up in the post-Reconstruction South ment programs for students to study and lived in New York City during and treat patients in community the Harlem Renaissance. The book clinics and encourages schools to includes Dr. Delany’s stories of break- increase underrepresented minority ing barriers to become a dentist. student applications and enrollment.
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 25 “DentCare focused on our commitment to the underserved “We are moving away from the mission model, where stu- and vulnerable populations,” says Dr. Lamster, who was dean dents offer one-time treatments which have minimal long-term when ElderSmile launched. “We built on it.” impact. Our new programs start with needs assessment, build That in turn has led to the realization that the university’s mission local capacity, and participate in inter-professional care as well is now a global one. For the past decade, international programs have as follow-up treatment in partnership with other schools, such as brought new perspectives to dental students and faculty. In 2005, nursing, social work, public health, and many more. This is the the dental school signed a research and education partnership with type of work that will truly strengthen global oral health, and it Osaka Dental University in Japan, the first of at least 10 agreements gives our students a true service learning experience.” that have enabled Columbia students and faculty to teach, study, and observe abroad, while welcoming their international counterparts Research Goes 3-D to New York. Columbia signed an agreement last summer with the It is a humming $300,000 machine that Jeremy Mao, DDS, PhD, Francisco Marroquín University School of Dentistry in Guatemala to believes will soon lead to the regrowth of teeth, knee cartilage, facilitate exchanges between the two schools. In 2017, CDM students even internal organs. will travel to Guatemala City to conduct an oral health needs assess- Dr. Mao, who came to the College of Dental Medicine in ment in the community in advance of future service learning there. 2007, is using a 3-D printer to create an artificial meniscus that, Another recent agreement, announced in April 2016, links the Col- once implanted in a knee, will stimulate the regeneration of car- lege of Dental Medicine with the University of Nairobi on a project tilage using the patient’s own stem cells. Dr. Mao’s Center for to improve the oral health of children with HIV. Craniofacial Regeneration is a recent and prominent example The dental school’s global health externship program has long of a research mission that has been part of the dental school partnered with nongovernmental organizations to create opportu- since its founding, despite the historical challenges of space and nities for students to work on dental care missions abroad with a budget constraints. Dr. Mao’s work is an example of the school’s substantial percentage of the student body traveling abroad, but growing focus on research since the arrival of Dr. Stohler. the school is now working to transform its model of global service Dr. Mao’s knee implant, honeycombed with channels and learning, says Dean Christian S. Stohler, DMD, DrMedDent. seeded with protein growth factors, acts as a scaffold for carti-
Highlights from the History of the College of Dental Medicine
2006 SDOS Becomes the College of Dental Medicine Columbia’s Board of Trustees 2009 approves the school’s name change to the College of Dental Medicine. Dental Research The new name better reflects the Complex Constructed 2010 2001 school’s comprehensive biomedical A major new research complex is DDS-MA Program approach in its missions. constructed on the 12th floor of with Teachers College Ira Lamster Becomes Dean the Vanderbilt Clinic, permitting Roseanna Graham, DDS, becomes Formerly vice dean of SDOS the dental school to recruit new the first graduate of this dual and director of the Division of research faculty and expand its degree program. She goes on to Periodontics, Dr. Lamster serves research program. earn a PhD in science education, as dean from 2001 to 2013. He also a first, and joins the College of proposes to change the name of the Dental Medicine faculty. school from the School of Dental and Oral Surgery to the College of Dental Medicine to reflect changes in the way dentistry is practiced.
26 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 William Jarvie Society for Dental Research was formed in 1920 (its first president, perhaps not surprisingly, was Columbia’s first dental student, Joseph Schroff) and continues today. Throughout much of the dental school’s early history, research focused on tooth structure, decay, and restoration. Beginning in the late 1960s, Irwin Mandel, DDS, reenergized research efforts, cen- tered on the salivary chemistry laboratory he established to study the relation of saliva to oral and systemic disease. Without the Jeremy Mao persistence of Dr. Mandel, the first winner of the American Dental JÖRG MEYER Association’s Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Dental Research, lage regrowth. In 2015, Dr. Mao succeeded in regenerating carti- “there would be no significant clinical research” at Columbia, lage in sheep and is working toward human trials. microbiologist and dental faculty colleague Solon A. Ellison, DDS, “When we first got the printer, I thought, ‘Gee, this is going to PhD, now professor emeritus of dentistry, wrote in 1992. be really powerful,” Dr. Mao says. “Now, more and more peo- More recently, the college’s research has cut an interdisciplin- ple are seeing the utility of 3-D printing and there’s tremendous ary swathe: the relationship of oral health to overall health. Panos excitement for its use in medicine.” Dr. Mao has used a similar Papapanou, DDS, PhD, and Evanthia Lalla, DDS, have investigated implanted scaffold to regenerate teeth in animal studies and to the link between periodontitis, vascular disease, and pregnancy out- develop a replacement temporomandibular joint. comes; Dr. Lamster and Dr. Lalla have investigated the use of oral Dental research at Columbia actually predates the founding disease for early diabetes identification. Burton Edelstein, DDS, has of the dental school. William J. Gies, the medical school bio- focused on social and behavioral determinants of oral health. He chemistry professor and early proponent of a Columbia dental pursued the use of behavioral risk management tools for children’s school, began studying saliva and caries as early as 1910. He oral health, all in keeping with the dental school’s historic view of helped found the Journal of Dental Research in 1919 and was oral health as a part of overall well-being. Or, as Dr. Mao puts it: its first editor. Research by dental students also began early: The “Dentistry is much more than just the teeth.”
2016-17 School Turns 100 The College of Dental Medicine celebrates its first 100 years, as detailed in a comprehensive history book written by Allan J. Formi- 2014 cola, dean emeritus. The college 2013 launches new, long-term initiatives, School Receives HEED Award spurred in part Christian Stohler Becomes Dean 2014 The College of Dental Medicine by a probing Dr. Stohler comes from the University is awarded the first of its three self-study in Gies Award of Maryland School of Dentistry, consecutive annual Higher Educa- advance of The College of Dental Medicine where he served as dean for 10 years. tion Excellence in Diversity Awards CODA accredi- is awarded an American Dental Dean Stohler launches his tenure by for outstanding commitment to tation. Among Education Association Gies fostering dialogue to collaboratively diversity and inclusion. It is the first the initiatives is Foundation Award for its chart the course toward advances dental school in the nation to win the revamping Community DentCare program. in the curriculum, research, and such an award. Dr. Dennis Mitchell of the cur- international opportunities, among established the Office of Diversity riculum to keep others. He oversees the expansion of Affairs at the College of Dental pace with—and the dental school’s clinic space onto Medicine, and he is also vice pro- lead—research, the Vanderbilt Clinic’s fifth floor, vost for faculty diversity and inclu- teaching, and practice of oral health increasing clinic space by 25 percent. sion for Columbia University. care in the 21st century.
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 27 STUDENTS AT THE COLLEGE InProfile OF DENTAL MEDICINE
Elizabeth Fadoju’17: Inspired by Great Educators, She Pursues Dual Dentistry, Education Degrees
lizabeth Fadoju’17 knows exactly what a difference one indi- E vidual can make in sparking and encouraging a young per- son’s career interests. In Ms. Fadoju’s case, it started with her mom. Mrs. Fadoju began her own career as a midwife in Lagos, Nigeria, before eventually moving to Baltimore, Md., with 4-year-old Elizabeth and the rest of their family. There, Mrs. Fadoju earned her nurs- ing degree and encouraged her daughter to become a physician. Ms. Fadoju grew up to earn a scholarship to the University of Maryland at College Park, but it was not easy meeting the scholarship’s minimum GPA requirement while pursuing a pre-med degree. In her first year, she experienced moments of deep discouragement. “As a freshman, I had to take organic chemistry, the big, bad wolf!” she says. Her GPA took a hit, and she started second- guessing her academic choices. But Mrs. Fadoju, as well as a professor at Maryland, encouraged Ms. Fadoju to keep going. That same year, Ms. Fadoju attended the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program at Columbia, the six-week residential program for first- and second-year college students interested in JÖRG MEYER medicine and dentistry. There, she discovered the innovations taking place in dental medicine at Columbia. She was awestruck “The day I found out I got accepted into the DDS program by experiences like the lectures Candice Zemnick, DMD, associ- at Columbia was, as corny as it sounds, truly a dream come ate professor of dental medicine, gave on the use of maxillofacial true after many ups and downs in undergrad,” Ms. Fadoju says. prosthetics to fabricate new eyes and noses for people who suffer “Dental school is dental school, but the people at Columbia traumas from cancer. make up a diverse amalgam (dentistry pun intended) of unique, “I was overwhelmed with the possibilities that the field offered, genuine, and beyond-talented individuals.” by the impact I might make as a health provider, and the oppor- Now well into her studies at the College of Dental Medicine, tunities that an education from Columbia would provide,” says Ms. Fadoju is more focused than ever on pursuing her career. A Ms. Fadoju. U.S. Navy Health Professions Scholar, she also is pursuing a dual She also met Dennis Mitchell, DDS, associate professor of degree at Teachers College. dental medicine and senior associate dean for diversity (and now “My life might have turned out a lot differently had it not been also Columbia vice provost for faculty diversity). Dr. Mitchell for educators, so I’m incorporating that degree into my studies and took notice of Ms. Fadoju’s growing curiosity in dental medicine ideas for work as a professional,” Ms. Fadoju says. “It’s my own and encouraged her to persevere in her undergraduate studies. affirmation of a key principle at Teachers College: Great educators She finished at Maryland, earning a BS degree in general biol- push students to believe that success is both possible and expected.” ogy with a minor in Spanish language and culture. She credits her summer at Columbia for her decision to pursue dental medi- This was adapted from a profile originally published on the cine as a career. Columbia Registrar’s Office website.
28 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 John Yoo’18: Searching for the Right Career Led Him to Dentistry
hen it came to choosing a career path, John Yoo always had Still ambivalent about his overall direction by senior year, Mr. W music in the back of his mind. He began singing competi- Yoo took a semester off to pursue clinical research with Duke tively when he was 5 years old. But John felt that a career in the radiologist Charles Kim. arts lacked the one thing that was most important to him: mak- It was Dr. Kim who challenged him to find his true passion. ing a direct, substantial difference in people’s lives. “He asked me a few critical questions, like, ’Do you know for With his mother as his coach, Mr. Yoo sang throughout his certain that you want to go childhood and began auditioning for choral groups in middle into medicine? Have you school. “I practiced really hard, constantly recording myself, considered your other inter- picking out the smallest flaws, improving my technique and my ests?’” Mr. Yoo recalls. “I “” expressiveness, and repeating,” he says. His painstaking efforts realized I didn’t have a great Being involved in paid off, and in his junior year in high school, he placed second answer. And Dr. Kim gave research is like in New Jersey, qualified for two All-Easterns competitions, and me time off to explore.” received the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Music. Mr. Yoo tried adolescent being part of the As a freshman at Duke University, Mr. Yoo sang with Duke’s music therapy at a psychi- future of dentistry. premier all-male a cappella group and a Korean band he formed atric hospital, shadowed — John Yoo’18 with his friends. Academically, he focused on the pre-med track in the pediatric oncology while conducting research on the side. ward, and spent more than one all-nighter in his dorm room recording K-pop love ballads. “One afternoon, I shadowed my first dentist and my mind was blown,” he says. “It was the first time I saw the endless possibili- ties of community service through dentistry.” JÖRG MEYER For Mr. Yoo, dentistry felt like the profession in which all of his interests and talents intersected. “I loved the idea of seeing dentistry as the artistic medium through which I could help peo- ple—many, many people.” He had always dreamed of living in New York City, but the community feeling at the College of Dental Medicine is what he loves best. “We are all one big family here, from underclassmen to upperclassmen to faculty to alumni. It’s so evident in how we treat and look out for one another.” He has been able to pursue his passion for research, working with Shantanu Lal, DDS, associate professor of dental medicine, to investigate the latest Bluetooth-connected toothbrush that provides data on a user’s brushing habits. “This field is constantly moving forward with new technol- ogy and evidence-based dentistry,” he says. “Being involved in research is like being part of the future of dentistry.” Now in his third year at the College of Dental Medicine, Mr. Yoo has not looked back and, despite a busy schedule, has not given up his music. He still sings with his old band, Seoul Sing- ers, and he recently formed a new boy band with two second- year students. “Check out the K-Town Boyz on our world tour of NYC!”
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 29 InProfile
Stephanie Bernard’19: Time in Jamaica Launched Her Dream to Become a Dentist
hen Stephanie Bernard left her South Florida home as start to notice the differences in the clothes that people are wear- W a teenager to live in Jamaica for three years, she was not ing, missing front teeth, things like that,” she says. “You start to expecting to return enthusiastic about dentistry. But that’s exactly notice it even as a young child.” what happened. One of the most noticeable differences was the lack of access Ms. Bernard was entering eighth grade when her parents people had to health care. “And dentistry tends to be last on the offered her and her two younger siblings the opportunity for a list prioritywise,” she adds. different life experience. They could move in with their grand- Her grandparents were very involved in their local church and parents in Black River St. Elizabeth, a rural village in Jamaica. it was there that she met a dentist who provided oral care for their Life in Jamaica was definitely different. “When you go there community. In her conversations with him, Ms. Bernard realized just from a town like Coral Springs, where everyone is privileged, you how much opportunity dentistry offered to help the underserved. “If you don’t have a nice smile, that’s the first thing that someone will notice about you,” she says. “You go for a job interview, school, whatever it is, it’s the first thing that people will see. And if you don’t have a great smile it can hinder you so much.” “” When she returned to the If you don’t have a United States, Ms. Bernard fin- nice smile, that’s ished high school and enrolled the first thing that in Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where she was someone will notice one of just a few pre-dental about you. students. “I had a great men- — Stephanie Bernard’19 tor, a local dentist, and he told me to just shoot for the stars. Columbia’s possible. Just apply and see what happens,” she says. Ms. Bernard was accepted to seven dental schools. “I’d call my mom after every interview,” she says. “After my Columbia interview, she said, ‘Hold on! Go back! I can’t even understand what you’re saying!’ And that’s when I knew that this is where I wanted to be.” Now in her second year at the College of Dental Medicine, Ms. Bernard is already heavily involved with community ser- vice. She volunteers in the free clinic in Harlem twice a month, tutors local middle school students, and visits schools to give oral health information to elementary students. Eventually, she plans to give back to her Jamaican community. “They have people who come and give back and the commu- nity is so grateful and so receptive,” she says. “There is so much
JÖRG MEYER opportunity to help with dentistry.”
30 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 The College of Dental Medicine gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our alumni, faculty, and friends. This report includes gifts received between DonorReport July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016.
LIFETIME GIVING Robert Weinstein Arthur Ashman ’61 Helen Weinberg ’04 & Barry L. Jacobson Gabriel I. Auerbach ’48 THE JAMES JARVIE CIRCLE Barry Wolinsky ‡ Michael L. Barnett ’67 $100,000 or Greater Ruth G. Zimmer * Frank E. Beube * The James Jarvie Circle acknowledges the Anonymous Joan Galterio Blume ’78 outstanding support of alumni and friends Roy Boelstler ’59 who are among the most generous donors $50,000 OR GREATER & Lois Boelstler to the College of Dental Medicine. Gifts of Jeffrey Min Ahn & Priscilla H. Ahn ‡ Ashur G. Chavoor, Ortho ’53 this magnitude build the College’s capacity Claude P. Bamberger * Victoria M. Constantinescu ’82 to educate new generations of leaders in Michael L. Barnett ’67 & Serban Constantinescu the profession of dental medicine. Meryl A. Baurmash ’85, Ortho ’88 George M. Coulter ’54 * Roy Boelstler ’59 & Lois Boelstler George H. Dunning * Belle Abramson ’35 * Thomas J. Connolly ’77, Perio ’80 Lester Eisner ’35 * Thomas A. Armao ’47 * Pauline R. Di Salvo ’45 & Judith M. Eisner * Howell O. Archard Jr., OMFS ’55 Allan J. Formicola Richard B. Feinstein ’56 Frank E. Beube * Robert S. Gassman Allan J. Formicola Ursula Corning * James Geduldig ’82 & Laura S. Bardach ’80 Adam J. Freeman ’92 George M. Coulter ’54 * Douglas S. Holden ’91 & Robert Gottsegen ’43, Perio ’48 * Alexander Dell ’59 Jean Weng Holden ’91, Perio ’94‡ Samuel Gruskin ’34 * & Lorraine Dell * Lois A. Jackson ’77, Peds ’80 Ernest M. Hass ’18 * Michael Dell & Susan Dell Estate of John Miller George W. Hindels ’43 * Jeffrey Epstein Margot H. Jaffe ’80, Peds ’81, Ortho ’85 Sidney L. Horowitz ’49 * “” Joel Goldin & Ellen Goldin Family of Jiwon Lee ’14 Richard F. Jarmain ’66 Robert Gottsegen ’43, Perio ’48 * Ken Matsumoto ’80 Norman Kahn ’58 & Dale Kahn Samuel Gruskin * Peter R. Mund ’58 * Alfred J. Keck ’34 * Ruth J. Guttmann * Estate of Frances M. Rauch Irving Kittay ’41 Ernest M. Hass ’18 * Elissa Rosenthal Jerome L. Klaif ’42 * George W. Hindels ’43 * Leslie W. Seldin ’66 Eugene P. LaSota ’61 Norman Kahn ’58 & Dale Kahn & Constance P. Winslow Harry M. Levine ’36 * Ralph S. Kaslick ’59, Perio ’62 David E. Shaw & Beth Kobliner Shaw Leah W. Linn * & Jessica Hellinger Kaslick Kenneth Siegel ’64, Perio ’66 & Phyllis Siegel William M. May * Marc C. Leavitt, Esq. ‡ Thomas B. Wilson ’00, OMFS ’06 Grace L. Miller * Harriet Leavitt * & Elisa M. Wilson Letty Moss-Salentijn Harry M. Levine ’36 * Marilyn Yablon ’59 Peter R. Mund ’58 * Leah W. Linn * Henry I. Nahoum ’43, Ortho ’52 Gregg S. Lituchy ’84 ‡ PLANNED GIVING Samuel P. Pritz ’33 * Thomas J. Magnani ’80 ‡ Donald P. Rubenstein ’72 William M. May * WILLIAM GIES PLANNED GIVING SOCIETY Robert Sabin ’36 * & Lisa Sabin * David M. Momtaheni ‡ The William Gies Planned Giving Society Howard P. Sanborn ’54 Letty Moss-Salentijn honors alumni and friends who have Milton Sandler ’37 * Henry I. Nahoum ’43, Ortho ’52 included the College of Dental Medicine in Charles Solomon ’58 Samuel Pritz ’33 * & Florence Pritz * their estate plans by making a life income gift Charles A. Smith ’68 Alexander E. Rodriguez or by naming the College as a beneficiary of a Francis J. Stapleton ’78 Robert Sabin ’36 * & Lisa Sabin * will, trust, retirement plan, or insurance plan. Ennio L. Uccellani ’48 * Emanuel B. Tarrson * Barry Wolinsky ‡ Steven Hei-Su Young ’99 Belle Abramson ’36 * Steven Hei-Su Young ’99 & I-Chien Yeh Young Thomas A. Armao ’47 * Ruth G. Zimmer *
* Indicates deceased ‡ Indicates multiyear pledge Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 31 DonorReport
2015-16 DONORS Gifts to the College of Dental Medicine in the 2016 academic year (July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016)
1852 SOCIETY Allan J. Formicola Robert P. Renner ’68, Prosth ’71 & Jo Renee Formicola & Frances J. Renner The 1852 Society honors the Norman Kahn ’58 & Dale Kahn Louis I. Rubins ’60 & Zelda Rubins contributions of the College’s most Esther S. Rubin ’82 Joseph P. Ruisi Jr. ’76, Ortho ’77 loyal and generous donors who Murray Schwartz ’53, Perio ’58 exemplify leadership, generosity and JOSEPH SCHROFF CIRCLE Christian Stohler commitment to academic excellence. $2,000 - $2,999 John A. Storella ’51 Michael E. Abrams Janet Stoupel-Lerman, Perio ’91 FRANK VAN WOERT CIRCLE Michael L. Barnett ’67 & Barry E. Lerman $25,000 OR GREATER Robert Bobic, Ortho ’76 Ira M. Sturman ’74 Howell O. Archard Jr., OMFS ’55 ‡ Roy Boelstler ’56 Edwin S. Sved, Ortho ’53 & Dorothy Sved Thomas J. Magnani ’80 ‡ & Lois Boelstler Michael R. Szabatura ’82 Peter R. Mund ’58 * Norman W. Boyd Jr. ’68 Dennis P. Tarnow Letty Moss-Salentijn Gwen S. Cohen ’96 & Douglas C. Leith Joshua Tuzman ’03 Helen Weinberg ’04 Thomas J. Connolly ’77, Perio ’80 George S. White, Prosth ’92 & Barry L. Jacobson Colleen Cournot ’78 Francis J. Valdinoto ’87, Prosth ’91 Woosung Yun ’95, AEGD ’96, Ortho ’98 David S. Dane ’87 & Chong Kim Martin J. Davis ’74, Peds ’75 Jane F. Friedman 1852 SOCIETY - WILLIAM BAILEY DUNNING CIRCLE Edward B. Goldin ’01 YOUNG ALUMNI $10,000 - $24,999 & Sarah Nicole Goldin Amos C. Chang ’86 ‡ & Lily H. Chang Albert L. Granger, Endo ’93 The 1852 Society’s Young Alumni Circle Alexander Dell ’59 & Gina Granger is composed of recent graduates who Robert J. Isaacson ’58, Ortho ’62 John T. Grbic contribute to the Annual Fund and play & Barbara Herbstman Isaacson ’56 Kelvin Hall & Charlotte Kim a vital role in the College of Dental Lois A. Jackson ’77, Peds ’80 ‡ Christine L. Hamilton-Hall, OMFS ’94 Medicine’s future. Gregg S. Lituchy ’84 ‡ Victor Han ’98 David E. Shaw Tony H. Hsu ’92, Endo ’96 CLASS of ’11-’15 & Beth Kobliner Shaw & Nancy O. Leung ’92 $250 or greater Kenneth Siegel ’64, Perio ’66 John M. Hulbrock ’79 Marion S. Brown, Implant ’14 & Phyllis Siegel Margot H. Jaffe ’80, Peds ’81, Ortho ’85 Jenny X. Chen ’15 Mitchell Kellert, Endo ’79 Jung Hyok Kim, Ortho ’12 HENRY GILLETT CIRCLE Fraya I. Karsh ’72, Perio ’78 Sahng Gyoon Kim ’12 $5,000 - $9,999 David H. Kim ’98 David Karwacki ’14 Daniel S. Budasoff ’78 Gabriela N. Lee ’87 ‡ Ashley Lerman ’18 George M. Coulter ’54 * Marc S. Lemchen, Ortho ’74 Alia Koch ’05 OMFS ’11 Diane Fasano (Fasano Living Trust) Joseph Maniscalco Francisca A. Sanchez, ’13, AEGD ’14 Ralph S. Kaslick ’59, Perio ’62 Rosa M. Martinez-Rosenberg ’81 ‡ Shakil V. Syed, ’13 & Jessica Hellinger Kaslick Joseph M. McManus Leora R. Walter ’11 Jason J. Kim Dennis A. Mitchell-Lewis Jeremy M. Zuniga ’10, Ortho ’13 James B. Metzger & Agnes Metzger Michelle S. Mirsky ’77 Kenneth Siegel ’64, Perio ’66 & Phyllis Siegel & David C. Abelson CLASS of ’06-’10 Barry Wolinsky ‡ Madeline Monaco $1,000 or greater Angelo Ostuni, ’02, OMFS ’08 Abraham Y. Chahine ’09 PERCY T. PHILLIPS CIRCLE Panos N. Papapanou ’01 & Eleni Michailidis ’06, Ortho ’09 $3,000 - $4,999 & Evanthia G. Lalla, Perio ’97, ’00 Ronniette C. Garcia Lopez, Ortho ’03, Meryl A. Baurmash ’85, Ortho ’88 Stephen J. Parr ’75 AEGD ’07 & Michael F. Leifert, Christopher E. Bonacci ’92, OMFS ’98 ‡ Roberto Peracchia Ortho ’04
32 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 * Indicates deceased ‡ Indicates multiyear pledge Linda L. Huang ’99, OMFS ’06 Gail E. Steimer-Henry, ’71 Mary R. Manning ’83 Mina C. Kim ’10 Joshua M. Tuzman ’03 ‡ Briggitte A. Martin ’97 JungAh Ko ’09, AEGD ’10 ‡ Barry D. Wagenberg, Perio ’74 Ernest J. McCallum, Ortho ’95 David A. Koslovsky ’06 Robert M. Wein, ’61 Thomas McClelland ’76 Robert J. Memory, OMFS ’07 Stanley J. Weiss ’79 Azadeh Motekallem ’07 Jeremy K. Ueno, Perio ’09 Alan A. Winter, Perio ’76 James P. Murphy ’84 Susan H. Yang ’92 Joseph A. Napoli ’81, OMFS ’86 Peter Yarrow Arthur J. Nowak ’66 The College of Dental Medicine Yuying Zhu ’96 Sara H. Patterson gratefully acknowledges donors at Michael A. Perrino ’76 the following levels: $500 - $999 David M. Petrarca ’96 Daniel T. Akkaway ’04 Maya Prabhu ’91, Endo ’93 $1,000 - $1,999 & Jennifer Akkaway ’04, Peds ’07 Marc B. Richling ’72 Arthur Ashman ’61 Martin Asness ’59 William C. Riecker ’76 Stephen D. Bosonac, Ortho ’72 Sukumar Balachandran, Endo ’94 Steven M. Roser Catherine Chang ’74 Robert J. Bird ’81 Rosemary Ryan ’92 Courtney H. Chinn, AGD ’00, Peds ’03 Paul R. Bjorklund ’61 Charles S.J. Samborski ’78 Christina Yoo Jung Chun ’03 Justin S. Boyd ’01 Sophia Scantlebury ’98 Joseph J. D’Onofrio ’67 Donald M. Brown ’69, Perio ’73 John L. Shi ’99 Adele Della Torre ’81 Sonny Cao Michael G. Steinberg, Ortho ’71 Frank T. DePinho ’89 Neil J. Capolongo ’90, Ortho ’93 Edward F. Sugarman, Perio ’66 Sidney B. Eisig Steven J. Cennamo ’80 Philip H. Tartaix, Ortho ’03 Michael J. Fidler, ’69 Hilary Chavkin Kenneth H. Treitel ’66 Robert J. Gallois, Ortho ’01 Ivy S. Chen ’01 Alan J. Wasserman ’74 Kelly M. Goodin ’95 David C. Christian, ’71 Kenneth T. Wong ’85 Myron S. Graff, Ortho ’76 Richard M. Chupkowski ’73 Selene L. Wun ’01, AEGD ’03, Peds ’05 Carolyn F. Gray, Hyg ’73 Samuel Cohen ’74 Steven Yee ’89 Paul J. Grunseich ’84 Julie A. Connolly ’01, Perio ’05 David J. Zegarelli ’69 Jonathane S. Jeon ’89, Ortho ’91 Nancy E. Cosenza ’90 Kenneth W.M. Judy Paul D. Cronin ’81 $250 - $499 & Dorlaine M. McLaughlin Jamie Damient-Golub Armin Abron, Perio ’05 Susan Karabin ’81, Perio ’84 Joseph C. De Lisi Jr ’81 Delaney Acosta, Peds ’10 M. Jean Kay, 93, Ortho ’96 Peter B. Demarest, Ortho ’92 David A. Albert Richard K. Kim, ’96 Shon C. DiGuglielmo ’06 Joseph A. Allen ’88, Perio ’90 Estate of Walter H.D. Killough Trust & Erica L. DiGuglielmo ’08 Charles R. Avrutik ’79 David S. Kung ’89 Carmel D. Doran ’07 Francisco J. Azar, Peds ’96 Eugene P. LaSota ’61 Suzanne Cirino Duvalsaint ’98 Joseph M. Behrman ’83 Gerald E. Lederman ’64 Saul Finer ’56 Michael W. Breene James A. Lipton ’71 ‡ Joseph J. Gaudio ’84 Richard J. Bollon ’72 Renee F. Litvak, ’02, Endo ’04 Nitsa D. Gilbert ’94 Col. Robert D. Calabria, Ortho ’77 Louis Mandel ’46, OMFS ’51 David A. Goldberg, Perio ’82 Kimberly Carr ’04, Endo ’07 Robert D. Miner ’67 Robert S. Goldman, Perio ’70 Kenneth K. Cheng ’78 Jahangir Mozaffari,’01 Malcolm S. Graham ’65 Marshall B. Chey, ’06 Ronnie Myers ’79, Peds ’80 & Diane Myers Dana T. Graves ’80 James Cho ’98 John S. Om ’98 Joseph G. Haggar ’82 Roger L. Cho ’77 Tiina Oviir, Endo ’99 Robert I. Howes ’67 Stewart M. Chodosch ’61 Ivin B. Prince ’48 Edmond Iryami ’91 Sandra S. Choo-Stevo ’99 Henry J. Rankow ’72, Endo ’75 Rosemary C. Kher ’01 & Christopher Stevo Zayda Sanchez, Ortho ’98 Eung-Soo Kim, Ortho ’93 Bo Y. Chun, Prosth ’95 Gail E. Schupak, Ortho ’85 SooKyung Kim ’04, AEGD ’05, Endo ’07 Sung S. Chung ’98 Leslie W. Seldin ’66 Kee H. Lee ’91 Robert E. Cipriano ’86 Charles S. Solomon ’58 Yun Seok Lee ’04 Stephen T. Connelly ’01 Edward M. Sonnenberg, Peds ’72 C. Anthony Lopresti ’80 Earl F. Cote ’58 & Mary J. Cote
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 33 DonorReport
Richard P. Dela Rosa ’10 Zebunnessa H. Moral ’06 CORPORATE & Anna G. D’Emilio ’91 Heather T. Morris, Endo ’01 FOUNDATION GIVING Mafalda Di Mango Matthew J. Neary ’80, Perio ’82 & Anthony L. Di Mango & Ann B. Neary The College of Dental Medicine gratefully Carlos Diaz-Albertini Endo ’95 Garfield W. Neita ’98 acknowledges our corporate partners, or- Joseph R. Dubin ’08 Peter B. Nelson ’73 ganizations, and foundations for their gen- Michael Duong ’02, Ortho ’04 Olivier F. Nicolay ’91 erous support in the 2016 academic year. George J. Dupont ’92 Jeffrey A. Nichelini ’10 Lorraine Edwards, Hyg ’76 Mark S. Obernesser ’84 AAID Research Foundation Walter F. Engel Jr. ’48 Susan Lee Oh ’08 American Association Michael P. Equi ’71 Capt. Franklin X. Pancko ’01 of Endodontists Foundation Mark S. Ericson ’03 Jodi M. Parker ’05 Bien-Air USA, Incorporated Rohini Fernandes ’96 Dinesh P. Patel ’85 Biomet 3i Allen R. Firestone ’75, Ortho ’76 Stacy T. Piedad ’02 Brasseler USA Dental, LLC Marshall B. Fleer ’84, Ortho ’88 ‡ Lisset Penton ’88 Colgate-Palmolive Company Joel M. Friedman ’68 Monroe H. Rackow, Endo ’73 Dental Lab Aesthetics LLC Ronald M. Gittess ’63 Anthony P. Randi ’82, Prosth ’87 Dentatus Steven Glickman ’76 & Ruth J. Randi ’85 ‡ Dentium Steven E. Glickman ’79 Paul T. Rasmussen ’66, Ortho ’70 Dentsply GAC International Ronald G. Granger ’54 & Joan Rasmussen Eastern Dentists Insurance Company Lewis H. Gross ’79 Sarina A. Reddy ’93 Enjoy Dental Rajeev Gupta ’97, Endo ’00 Morton C. Rennert ’58, Perio ’67 GC America Incorporated Farhad Hadavi & Juliana Hey-Hadavi Ruba F. Rizqalla ’06 Geistlich Pharma North America Brian T. Hoops ’84 James M. Romano ’83 Greater N.Y. Academy Robert C. Hou ’91 Paul A. Romano ’03 of Prosthodontics Foundation & Betty Yan-Kit Poon ’91 Murray S. Rosenthal, Perio ’71 Greater New York Dental Meeting George M. Hribar ’76 Shahrzad Sami-Dowlatshahi ’02 Henry Schein, Inc. Sachin S. Jamdar ’96 Akitoshi Sato Hunan Women’s and Children’s Hospital Joyce M. Johnson ’87 Shruti Shenava ’96 Company Limited Renee W. Joskow ’85 Steven M. Singfer ’82 Johnson & Johnson John T. Kahler Jr., Ortho ’67 Anita B. Skolnick ’79 New York State Dental Association Mitchell A. Kaufman, Perio ’92 Andrea L. Smith ’05 NYACAO Corporation Jeffrey J. Kim, AEGD ’94, Ortho ’99 Richard A. Smith ’67 Oral and Maxillofacial Richard Y. Kim ’93 Marvin Solomon, Perio ’69 Surgery Foundation Raymond L. Kotch ’46 Steven Spivack ’81 Osteo Science Foundation Allen C. Kozin ’75 Diane Stern ’61 Pfizer Foundation Robert D. Lazaroff ’85 Long Su ’96 Septodont Christopher S. Lee ’99, AEGD ’00 Mayra SueroWade ’88 ‡ Straumann Jessica Y. Lee ’97 James S. Sunwoo ’03 Sunstar Americas, Inc. Marc R. Leffler ’82 Eugene M. Tedaldi ’54 Tulsa Dental Special Laurence J. Levine ’68, Perio ’70 Mark A. Tepper ’78, Endo ’95 Michelle A. Lieberman ’02 & Priscilla A. Konecky ’78 Donald A. Liebers ’87 Stephen P. Tigani, Ortho ’95 HAVE YOU FOUND AN ERROR OR OMISSION? Robert M. Liebers ’56 Thomas C. Tong ’68 Please contact: Rebecca Fei-Ti Liu ’06 James W. Triant ’71 Geraldine Connors Terrance J. McCulle ’64 Timothy A. Turvey ’71 Senior Director of Development Diedra S. McGuire, Ortho ’98 Sappho N. Tzannetou, Ortho ’95 Columbia University Kenneth H. Meierdierks ’55 Ivy X. Wang ’00 College of Dental Medicine Frank L. Mellana ’62 Bernard Yanowitz ’49 and Helen Yanowitz 630 West 168th Street, Box 20 & Adrienne Mellana Min-Sung Yoon ’03, Prosth ’06 New York, NY 10032 Sharon Minott ’92 Steven Hei-Su Young ’99 & I-Chien Yeh [email protected] Raksha Mirchandani ’91 Young Syin-Ying Yu, Ortho ’94 212.342.5612 Stanley Mondshine ’43 Marierose M. Zwerling, Hyg ’74
34 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 * Indicates deceased ‡ Indicates multiyear pledge Alumni
ALUMNI OF THE COLLEGE News&Notes OF DENTAL MEDICINE
Bernard Yanowitz’49, former New Jersey dental school, and George White, DDS, director at the Kawasaki University president of the D.C. Dental lecturing in Europe, Africa, and of the Division of Prosthodon- School of Medical Welfare and Society, celebrated his 90th throughout the United States. tics, made the presentation. the Okayama University Medi- birthday in February with He served with distinction as Dr. LaSota served as clinical cal Hospital Center of Special friends and family in his home- president of numerous organiza- professor in postdoctoral Needs Dentistry, helping a town of Deerfield Beach, Fla. tions, including the Greenwich prosthodontics for 50 years former student who was chief Dental Society, the Northeastern and was an attending dentist of the department. He founded Lawrence Daum’53 reports that Society of Orthodontists, and at NewYork-Presbyterian and served as president of his latest accomplishment the American Association of Hospital, a member of the the Association of Dentistry is “recently celebrating my Orthodontists. He also was a 89th birthday with almost all founder of the College of Diplo- my teeth.” His varied career mates of the American Board includes opening a one-chair of Orthodontics. practice, teaching in the diag- nosis department at the dental Howard Blum’60 served on the school, and founding the Den- CDM faculty for more than tal Associates of Connecticut, a decade in the endodontics the Bridgeport study group, division under the direction and the American Academy of of Irving Naidorf and Joseph Eugene LaSota’61 and George White Susumu Uehara’63 Peds Dental Group Practice. He also Leavitt. A board-certified endo- had leading roles in musicals dontist, he practiced on Long craniofacial team, and acting for the Handicapped, now Island and lectured internation- chief of maxillofacial prosthet- the Japanese Society for Dis- ally. He currently works at ics. An active alumnus, Dr. ability and Oral Health, and the VA Hospital in West Palm LaSota is a past president of was active in the International Beach, Fla., and at Mount Sinai the 1852 Donor Society and Association for the Disabled Hospital in Queens, where he is a reunion class representative. and Oral Health. In 2012, Dr. He also volunteers as a foren- Uehara was granted a medal, sic dentist in the New York “Order of The Sacred Trea- City Office of the Chief Medi- sure, Gold Rays with Neck cal Examiner and on the city’s Ribbon,” from the govern- mass disaster team. He was a ment under the name of the staged in Greater Danbury and tour commander for the 9/11 Emperor for his dedication to fondly remembers luring the dental identification team. teaching and global service. cast of “The Happiest Million- aire” to Washington Heights Susumu Uehara’63 Peds credits his Harold Sussman’64 exhibited his for a dental school fundraiser. Columbia training co-resident artwork, “Am Yisroal Chai” Howard Blum’60 with Natalie Sukiasian’15 Harold Diner’64 for stimulating (translation: Israel Lives On), Earle Cote’58 Ortho was nominated responsible for the endodontics his interest in working with the in the Columbia University in January by several colleagues residency training program, disabled. After graduating and Medical Center Fine Art Exhi- for the lifetime achievement which often brings him in returning to Japan, Dr. Uehara bition this year. Envisioned by award at Georgetown Uni- contact with recent Columbia established a department of him while collecting wild rock versity, where he received his dental graduates. pediatric dentistry at Nihon (weathered limestone) in the DDS in 1954. A talented leader, University School of Dentistry Judean Hills, the piece consists teacher, and organizer, Dr. Eugene LaSota’61 was presented before moving to the new of a hand-made wooden frame Cote’s career included running a with the CDM Distinguished Nihon University School of decorated with crushed tiles thriving practice in Greenwich, Alumni Award on Class Dentistry at Matsudo to estab- enclosing an acrylic painting of Conn., being on the clinical Reunion Day this year for lish a department of special Jerusalem motif, created by his staff at Greenwich Hospital and dedicated service to the school. care dentistry. He then worked wife, Jacqueline. Dr. Sussman
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 35 Alumni News&&Notes
ASSOCIATION OF DENTAL ALUMNI is an assistant clinical profes- His Coy Mistress”: “As much All graduates of the College of Dental Medicine are automatically sor in the Division of Peri- as I have enjoyed my cho- members of the Association of Dental Alumni. Led by an odontics at CDM. He lectures sen professional career since executive board, association members work closely with the Alumni Relations and Development Office to establish goals and widely at dental study clubs on graduating from Columbia, programmatic priorities and to serve as a link between the school periodontics and implantol- ’behind my back I hear Time’s and its alumni. The board meets regularly to plan events and ogy and has patented implant winged chariot hurrying activities for alumni and students. For information on becoming guides. His latest project is near’.” Dr. Miner established involved, contact Melissa Welsh, Alumni Director, at 212-305-6881 writing a children’s book. and facilitates the Dental Eth- or [email protected].
ics Program at CDM, where Current officers of the association: John Donovan’67 is enjoying he has served as volunteer clin- Michael Leifert, Ortho’04, president, [email protected] retirement in Connecticut ical professor in the Division Michelle Mirsky’77, vice president, [email protected] with Loretta, his wife of 49 of Prosthodontics since 1970. Sean C. Adler, Peds’04, treasurer, [email protected] years. He stays busy playing Abraham Chahine’09, secretary, [email protected] Julie Connolly’01, Perio’05, immediate past president, guitar with the Brookfield Joel Friedman’68 is treasurer [email protected] Senior Singers and sailing on of the Oral Maxillofacial Candlewood Lake. Before Surgery Political Action Com- retiring he was on the CDM mittee and chairman of the faculty for 32 years (and was Empire State Political Action dental hygiene and her dedica- ence in May. The award is named Professor of the Year Committee. He is adjunct tion to improving the public’s presented to “individuals in 1999) and taught science associate clinical professor in oral and overall health. Ms. whose volunteer efforts have courses at several colleges. the Section of Hospital Den- Ibsen served as president of the made a significant impact tistry at CDM. CDM Association of Dental on venerable populations in Robert Miner’67 retired in June Alumni from 1994 to 1996. Vermont and New Hamp- from the Ridgewood, N.J., Olga A.C. Ibsen, RDH, BS ’72, MS ’75, shire.” In addition to donat- practice he started in 1970 received the American Dental Ron Spaulding’72, retired oral ing dental equipment, Dr. after service as a captain in the Hygienists’ Association Award surgeon and member of the Spaulding provided guidance Army Dental Corps. In a letter for Excellence in Dental board of Ammonoosuc Com- on creating an in-house den- to his patients and associates Hygiene (sponsored by John- munity Health Services in tal practice at Ammonoosuc he announced his intent to son & Johnson) at the ADHA New Hampshire, received the Community Health Services devote more time to family annual session held in June New Hampshire Community to help address the dearth of and make dents in his bucket in Pittsburgh. She was hon- Service Award from Bi-State oral health care services in list, referencing a phrase from ored for her commitment and Primary Care Association the area. Dr. Spaulding was Andrew Marvell’s poem, “To professionalism in the field of at the Primary Care Confer- an adjunct assistant profes-
Farewell to Ronnie Myers
Ronnie Myers’79, Peds ’80, left his position generations long: His father, Jesse Myers, as vice dean for administrative affairs at received a DDS degree from Columbia CDM in June to become senior associ- in 1940. His son, Aaron, graduated with ate dean for academic and administrative a DDS degree in 2012 and a certificate affairs at the new Touro College of Dental in pediatric dentistry in 2014 and is now Medicine at New York Medical College. on the faculty in the Division of Pediatric Dr. Myers’ career at Columbia spanned Dentistry. In addition to his administrative Ronnie Myers and Dean Christian Stohler nearly four decades, starting in 1982 as duties, Dr. Myers maintained an active director of the general practice residency private practice in general dentistry. At will continue to contribute his leadership program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hos- the farewell attended by friends, fam- and vision to our profession. But on our pital (the only hospital residency program ily, students, and colleagues, Dr. Myers campus he will be missed as a valued col- at that time). He was interim dean of the was saluted by CDM Dean Christian league, mentor, and friend of those who dental school from July 2012 to August Stohler: “At a time of significant change worked or studied with him. I have per- 2013. His ties to Columbia are deep and in our field, I am pleased that Dr. Myers sonally appreciated his wise counsel.”
36 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 schools. The book is available chapters focused on cone beam in both English and Spanish. computed tomography, digital technologies for treatment plan- Joseph Napoli’81 received the ning, and prosthodontics in 2015 Excellence in Teaching postcancer reconstruction. Dr. Award from Christiana Care Greenberg has been assistant Health System’s Department clinical professor in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial of Oral and Maxillofacial Sur- Surgery. He has served for gery at CDM since 1987. sor in the Division of Oral Thomas Connolly’77, Perio’80, 14 years on the faculty at and Maxillofacial Surgery at assumed the vice presidency Nemours Children’s Clinic/ Gregg Lituchy’84 invited a group CDM from 2000 to 2011, of the American College of Alfred I. Dupont Hospital of dental students from Osaka traveling regularly from New Dentists at the group’s annual for Children, working with Dental University who are Hampshire to volunteer as an meeting in October in Denver. OMFS residents. Dr. Napoli participating in an academic instructor in the clinic. was the first graduate of exchange at CDM to join him Lewis Gross’79 lectured on the integrated DDS/MD at a game played by the New Olivia Masry Blau’75 traveled to holistic dentistry at the World NewYork-Presbyterian resi- York Knicks (for whom he Montego Bay, Jamaica, in May Dental Congress in Dalian, dency program. His brother, is team dentist). Dr. Lituchy as dental team director of the China, in Fall 2015, at the Salvatore, received his DDS accompanied CDM Dean Tryall Fund 2016 Jamaica Den- American Dental Congress in from CDM in 1979, and their Christian Stohler and a group tal Mission. “Our American Philadelphia, and at CDM. father, Nicholas, is also a CDM of CDM faculty on an educa- and Jamaican dental team was He is director of the Tribeca graduate, receiving his DDS tional trip to Osaka in 2013. made up of 22 people: two Center for Holistic and Inte- degree in 1958 and certificate general dentists, one pediatric grative Dentistry. in orthodontics in 1963. Renee Joskow’85 DDS/MPH dentist, one oral surgeon, six received the Jack D. Robert- hygienists, three dental assis- Margot Jaffe’80, Peds ’84, Ortho Alex Greenberg’83 was both edi- son Award for dedication, tants, two University of West ’85 is vice president and Steve tor and contributor of three service, and commitment to Indies senior dental students, Syrop’80 is secretary of the chapters in the May 2015 edi- the U.S. Public Health Service mission coordinators, and Society of Honorary Police tion of “Dental Implants: An at a national meeting in May. support staff. We treated 721 Surgeons of the New York Evolving Discipline” from the Dr. Joskow is a captain in the people, with almost 500 being Police Department. They con- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery USPHS Health Resources and school children and completed sult on treatment for service Clinics of North America. His Services Administration. over 2,000 dental procedures. members or their immediate This was our fourth annual family members. Dr. Jaffe also trip there. Since we are mainly was selected as the new CDM seeing school children, we are representative to the Alumni SHARE YOUR setting the groundwork for life- Trustee Nominating Com- mittee. She succeeds Charles Solomon’58, director of the NEWS & STORIES Division of Endodontics, who You are part of a unique and vibrant alumni community, so let your fellow graduates know about your accomplishments. served two four-year terms. Dr. Jaffe’s son, Keith Gold- Send us: man, is a graduate of the • news of awards and achievements orthodontics program. • news of personal milestones • stories about meeting your spouse/partner at dental school • legacy of following in the footsteps of a family Joanne Roos, RDH, BS’80 wrote member/mentor who attended CDM a children’s book, “Who • thoughts on how your CDM experience shaped who you are today long good oral health and beau- Visits Me from A to Z. An Email stories, ideas, and photos to: tiful smiles. We would love to Alphabetical Adventure to the Melissa Welsh, Alumni Director, [email protected] expand our program and would Dentist.” She presents dental Columbia University College of Dental Medicine welcome more alums to join health programs to more 630 W. 168th St. our team. Please contact me at than 10,000 children a year New York, NY 10032 [email protected].” in nursery and elementary
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 37 Alumni News&&Notes
Dentist, Surgeon, Doctor, Soldier
John C. “Jack” McCabe has seen parts of the injuries who were evacuated out of the- United States and the world since receiving ater for treatment. Amazingly, wounded his DDS degree in 1985, training in oral soldiers would be flown from the Middle and maxillofacial surgery at Columbia, and East or Ramstein, Germany, to Colorado earning his MD degree from P&S in 1990. Springs, Colo., to be reunited with family After an internship in general surgery at and to have definitive surgical care. It was Columbia, he joined the College of Dental an extremely rewarding experience, and I Col. Jack McCabe in Kuwait Medicine as assistant professor in the oral was fortunate to work with several excel- and maxillofacial surgery division. lent military physicians and dentists.” in the Middle East. The 3rd Medical Com- He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1997 The family returned to the Northeast mand oversees the Army’s health care assets and was commissioned as a major in the in 2006, this time to a private practice in in 11 countries in the Middle East. He was Army’s Dental Corps. He performed “clini- Connecticut. He was mobilized in 2014 the first Dental Corps officer to qualify and cal drills” two to three days a month at the to Kuwait, where he performed numer- serve as an instructor in advanced trauma Keller Army Hospital at the U.S. Military ous surgeries. life support. He also has been appointed Academy in West Point, N.Y. “This has Now a colonel in the Dental Corps, to represent the Army Reserve as the oral been a very interesting and enjoyable sec- Jack has been deployed with the Army’s and maxillofacial surgery consultant to the ond and parallel career for me,” he says. 3rd Medical Command in Qatar since Army’s Surgeon General. In 2002, Jack and his family relocated to February, his third activation. Jack is “As an Army Reservist, I have benefited Omaha, where he chaired oral and maxil- chief of professional services for the 3rd from exceptional, advanced training in the lofacial surgery at Creighton University Medical Command, the first Dental Corps treatment and reconstruction of maxillofa- and continued in the Dental Corps. “In officer to serve as command surgeon. cial trauma,” he says. “The Army has pro- 2004 I was mobilized for 90 days at Evans “Usually the command surgeon position is vided me with training in advanced trauma Army Medical Center at Fort Carson, held by a Medical Corps officer,” he says. life support, tactical combat casualty care, Colo. That was a period of intense combat “It’s been an extraordinary experience to combat casualty care, mass casualty care, engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan for serve in a deployed environment.” and other valuable education that I have the U.S. military. As one of two oral and His 2016 assignment allowed him to be been able to put to good use. It has been maxillofacial surgeons stationed at Fort much more involved in the administrative very fulfilling to be able to provide service Carson, I provided reconstructive surgical side of military health care involving thou- members with needed health care that care to soldiers with maxillofacial combat sands of service members in many countries ranges from routine to mass casualty.”
Ronald Salyk’88 retired after Maryam Zade, is in the Kan, at California offices in orthodontic advancements 25 years as dental director CDM Class of 2020. Novato and Pleasant Hill. He have improved treatment effi- of Morris Heights Health notes: “We have three kids ciency for patients. Dr. Teng Center, a community health Angelo Ostuni’02, MD’08, Diplo- aged 5 and under…somehow became president of the Texas center in the Bronx, and is mate of the American Board we’re surviving!” Association of Orthodontists now consulting at community of Oral & Maxillofacial in September. health centers and teaching Surgery, held a reception this Jesse Teng’06 was featured as a national dental board prepa- spring to celebrate the open- guest columnist in the El Paso Dale Rosenbach’12 Perio gave his ration review with Kaplan. ing of his new practice, Times in June, discussing how 95th continuing education Carnegie Oral & Maxillofa- Fariba Kalantari’92 is president- cial Surgery. He has joined elect of the LA Dental Soci- the CDM Alumni Associa- ety and the new chair for tion Executive Committee the Hollywood Chamber and is a member of the of Commerce, which she Admissions Committee. reports is “a full time job on top of my practice.” She Greg Miller’04 practices ortho- is thrilled that her cousin, dontics with his wife, Helaine
38 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 course in May for the Victoria nience,” in the March issue of Dentofacial Orthopedics College of Dentists Colombia & District Dental Society in Dentistry Today. with Dr. Burton Edelstein, task force, Dr. Cruz went Victoria, British Columbia, chair of the Section of last April to the Foundation Canada, speaking on atrau- Claudia Cruz’14 DDS (Certificate Population Oral Health, Pies Descalzos, led by the matic exodontia and sinus in Dental Public Health), titled, “Linking Orthodontic Colombian singer Shakira, to augmentation. He published is an orthodontic resident. Treatment and Caries discuss creating a coalition to his first peer-reviewed article, She published a guest Management of High Caries evaluate the oral health needs “The Single-State Implant editorial in the American Risk Adolescents.” As USA of underserved children in Procedure: Science or Conve- Journal of Orthodontics and regent of the International the area. InMemoriam
George Coulter’54, DDS, died in his Medal of Honor. He had Dr. Tauber is survived by his at the University of North sleep May 15, 2016, at age 87. served as president of the wife, Dottie, daughters Sharon Carolina School of Dentistry He was a dentist in Pawling, Ninth District and chairman and Robin, and a brother, at Chapel Hill. Before join- N.Y., for more than 42 years. of the New York State Dental Frederick Tauber, a 1971 ing UNC in 2013, he served He attributed his passion Association Council on Ethics. Columbia College graduate. on the Harvard dental school for dentistry to the mentoring Dr. Tauber graduated from faculty since 2004. Columbia College before Margaret Walsh, MS’75, EdD, a He served on the Columbia entering dental school. A dental hygiene educator, faculty from 1987 to 2004, as dedicated dental alumnus, researcher, and author, died program director for graduate Dr. Tauber helped organize Jan. 23, 2016. Dr. Walsh, prosthodontics, maxillofacial reunions for the Class of 1962 who received her EdD degree prosthetic residency, and the along with fellow faculty from the University of San predoctoral curriculum. members and good friends Francisco, launched a master’s Richard Lichtenthal, Mark program in dental hygiene OTHER DEATHS REPORTED: Tenner, and Phil Terman. He at UCSF in 2010. She was a Elsie Handelman Hyg’30 was instrumental in arrang- professor in the Department Regina O’Brien Hyg’37 he received in dental school ing for the annual Alumni of Preventive and Restorative Stanley Lane’41 from faculty member Dr. Association Mentor Recep- Dental Sciences at UCSF for Benjamin Levene’41 Edward Cain. As a tribute tion for students, faculty, and more than 37 years. She was Melvin Berman’43 to CDM and Dr. Cain, alumni held at Butler Library internationally recognized Elizabeth Yanarella Hyg’45 Dr. Coulter established a in a meeting room named in for her studies on smokeless Robert Shapiro’46 scholarship fund with a honor of his father, Dr. Mau- tobacco use and cessation Alfred Levin’47 $250,000 bequest to support rice Falcolm Tauber, inter- strategies. She collaborated on Donald Disick’48 financially needy students. nationally renowned library a textbook, “Dental Hygiene: (father of Evan Disick’02) educator and professor at Theory and Practice,” now in Eli Stern’48 Robert Tauber’62, DDS, died Columbia’s former School of its fourth edition. Dr. Walsh Noel Wiener Ortho’50 March 17, 2016. He served Library Science. received the Esther Wilkins Ross Waltzer Perio’51 on the CDM faculty as assis- Dental Hygiene Lifetime Daniel Glass’52, Ortho’57 tant clinical professor of Achievement Award in 2014. Benjamin Spector Ortho’52 dentistry in the adult dentistry Peter Notaro’55, Endo’57 section, teaching predoctoral Robert F. Wright, DDS, former Joseph Wirtenberg’56 students in the senior clinic professor of clinical dentistry Peter Mund’58 and teaching in the ethics and director of the prosth- Benjamin W. Cabel IV Ortho’61 program. He was retired from odontics division at CDM, Sandofd Krotenberg’61 private practice. died suddenly April 10, 2016, Quentin Lyle Ortho’62 In 2012, Dr. Tauber at his North Carolina home Todd Beckerman’63 received the Ninth District at age 60. Harvey Fenster Ortho’64 Robert Tauber advises a student at a Dental Association’s highest mentor reception held in the Tauber Room Dr. Wright chaired the Luke Pillis Ortho’66 award, the D. Austin Sniffen at Butler Library Department of Prosthodontics Monroe Weinstein Perio’73
Fall/Winter 2016 Columbia Dental Medicine 39 Alumni News&&Notes
Class Reunion Day
Alumni, faculty, and students gathered in Bard Hall April 15 for a day of CE workshops, campus tours, alumni awards, faculty presentations, and reminiscence.
Classes of 1941, 1946, Class of 1981 Class of 2001 1951, and 1956 Standing, from left: Robert Bird, Charles Standing, from left: Justin Boyd, Julie Connolly Standing, from left: Louis Mandel’46 Azzaretti, Abbe Orlansky, and Daniel Siegel (class rep), Raymon Grewal, Yong-Han Koo, and (class rep), Caterina Goodman, Seated: Joe Napoli, Susan Karabin (class rep), Stella Tan. Seated: Jenny Huang Lee, Ned Boyd, Vincent Della-Rocca Jr., and Saul Finer’51 Daniel Weinstein, and Diane Pappas Edward Goldin, Maia Palagi, and Farisa Mulvey (class rep). Seated: Jeanne Agate, Irving Kittay’41, Vincent Della-Rocca’46, Class of 1991 Class of 2006 Judith Finer, and Richard Feinstein’56. From left: Mohammad Sadeghi, Nai Yan Lam, Standing, from left: Marshall Chey, Mariliza LaCap (class rep) and Darren Tong Mimi Park, Tina Fernandez (class rep), Class of 1961 (class rep) Ruba Rizqalla (class rep), Meng-Chieh Lee, From left: Diane Stern, Arthur Ashman, Michelle Mirksy (Operative faculty member), Abe Rosenthal, Eugene LaSota (class rep), Class of 1996 Karan Estwick, Becky Gong, Cynthia Tsen, Robert Wein, and Ellie LaSota Standing, from left: Zhiling Mei, Diane Wong, and David Koslovsky (class rep). Seated: Arman Rokhsar, Jonathan Shenkin, Bernard David Alfi (class rep), Jesse Teng, George Class of 1976 Rupnarain, John Milza, Sachin Jamdar, Tom Pliakis, Rebecca Liu, and Rania Elbaz From left: Joseph Ruisi (class rep), Mulvey, and Robert Martino (class rep). Seated: Thomas McClelland, John Fox, Rohini Fernandes, Sunil Wadhwa, Genevieve Class of 2011 Roy Stevens, Jeffrey Blumenthal, Fernandes (class rep), My-Khanh Phan, Hetal From left: Hai Do, Gloria Lee, Jackie Haker, Steve Klein, and William Reicker Patel, Kathy Taylor, and Shruti Shenava Aimee Leibowitz, and Eric Frank
40 Columbia Dental Medicine Fall/Winter 2016 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE REUNION FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017 All alumni are invited to the reunion, and special recognition will be given to classes ending in ’2 and ’7.
For further details or to help organize participation by your class, contact Melissa Welsh, [email protected]
Thanks to your support on Columbia Giving Day, the College of Dental Medicine WE DID IT! ranked #1 IN ALUMNI PARTICIPATION for the second year in a row! Your collective generosity helps CDM continue our 100-year tradition of graduating leading clinicians, scientists, and educators. THANK YOU! Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid New York, NY PERMIT NO. 3593
630 West 168th Street New York, NY 10032-3795
A Dental School on University Lines
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Columbia’s dental school, Dean Emeritus Allan J. Formicola, DDS, has written a comprehensive history that traces the school’s beginnings to its present status as one of the nation’s premier dental schools. “The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine 1916-2016: A Dental School on Univer- sity Lines” not only chronicles the history of den- tistry at Columbia, it also tells the unique story of 20th century dentistry as a discipline and provides a look into the future of academic dental medicine. The book describes the early leaders who started Columbia’s dental school. “Several early leaders
stand out,” says Dr. Formicola. “The giant among Dean Emeritus Allan J. Formicola with a patient in the 1970s them, William J. Gies, was not a dentist but a bio- chemist at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. describing the college’s leadership, faculty, stu- The book tells how Gies got involved in dentistry dents, and graduates. One reviewer characterized and attracted the best and the brightest of New the book as “a remarkable book about a critical York City dentists to collaborate with him to pro- achievement in the history of human health.” duce the school’s visionary founding document.” Proceeds for the book, which was published The book’s six chapters record key periods in by Columbia University Press, will benefit the the school’s development during the 100 years by Formicola Fund in Oral Health Disparities.