Dental Tribune U.S. Edition

Dental Tribune U.S. Edition | September 2013 A3 The programguideforthe2013American Academy of Periodontogy annual meeting opens with the statement, “This year’s An- nual Meeting is dedicated to Dr. D. Walter Cohen, world-renowned periodontist who has dedicated his life to the specialty.” A full page is then used to list a few of the many highlights in Cohen’s storied career, including his role in establishing the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine's department of periodontics and serving the school as a professor, associate dean and, ultimately, dean. The tribute closes with references to some of Cohen's more recent educational activities and concludes with this update: “Dr. Cohen currently serves as professor emeritus and dean emeritus of the Univer- sityofPennsylvaniaSchoolofDentalMedi- cine. He continues to practice periodontics in Philadelphia, in the same practice his fa- ther, Abram, began 70 years ago.” The AAP Foundation Signature Recogni- tion Event and Awards Ceremony, in honor of Dr. D. Walter Cohen, is Sept. 29 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The ticketed event helps support the AAP Foundation's education and research activities. (Source: AAP) From thE Editor iN chiEF AAP meeting honors Dr. D. Walter Cohen By David L. Hoexter, DMD, FACD, FICD, Editor in Chief The American Academy of Periodontol- ogy will dedicate its annual meeting this year to Dr. D. Walter Cohen at a ceremony in Philadelphia on Sept. 29. This honor is more than well deserved and prompted me to remember the column I wrote about Dr. Cohen in the March 2010 Dental Tri- bune. Dr. Cohen recently spent time again coordinating the dental schools in Jerusa- lem, with the apparent theme, “Education to Peace.” I hope you are able to attend the AAP meeting and the ceremony honoring this remarkable individual and friend. Enjoy the column once again: Each generation has a different con- cept or image of an icon of contemporary culture. D. Walter Cohen is such an icon of dentistry. He is a pinnacle of energy and accomplishment with a glitter of idealism. Even today, in his 8Os, he will play tennis early in the morning before he practices periodontics at his office. He understands the “gestalt” of life. For example, he talks about Dr. Harry Sicher, author of “Bone on Bones: Fundamen- tal of bone biology,” as not only being a great orthopedist but someone who loves music and catching butterflies as well. Cohen makes the time and effort to en- hance the lives of others and to encour- age peace through education and un- derstanding. Sharing his vision through unselfish seeds of giving, Cohen fertil- izes the seeds with education and an in- terchange of knowledge. With his nurturing, the seedlings grow into trees with strong roots and wide branches with spreading leaves. It is un- derneath the shade of these leaves that people learn and share knowledge. He even manages to open eyes and ears that have been waxed shut through years of prejudice and ignorance. In 1997, Cohen established the D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Ed- ucation in Israel at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University. Today, it continues to set the tone of learning for citizens across the world. It also allows for the exchange of dental students at Hebrew University with the students at the Al-Quds School of Dentistry in Jerusalem. This exchange illustrates true sharing between Israeli and Palestinians in Jerusalem by stress- ing knowledge, human compassion and understanding. Cohen is a passionate man who has given the world a real opportunity to en- hance peace efforts and change human- ity through education and understand- ing. Cohen is also helping to make strides in lowering the number of preterm, low birth weight babies. He is guiding the treatment and cure of periodontal disease during pregnancy, especially among pregnant teenagers. This may be a major step in order to lower the number of preterm, low birth weight babies. A favorite phrase of his is that “we have to keep trying so we can break through the glass ceiling.” Cohen helped establish the University of Pennsylvania’s first department of periodontics and served as its first chair. Growing from professor to dean, Cohen advanced new concepts and raised edu- cational standards. During his career he has found the time to write and publish 22 books and hundreds of articles. Despite his busy schedule, he finds the time to serve as dean emeritus of the University of Penn- sylvania’s School of Dental Medicine. Among his many honors, he has re- ceived the Legion of Merit from France, was named president of the Medical College of Pennsylvania, chairman of the Pennsylvania Diabetes Academy, president of the National Museum of American Jewish History and chancellor emeritus of Drexel University College of Medicine. These are just a few examples of the awards and leadership recognition that he has received. When I asked Cohen what he saw as his greatest achievement, he unhesitatingly replied, “my family.” The response would likely be of no surprise to his daughters. Proudly, he also described the wonder- Dr. David L. Hoexter, left, and Dr. D. Walter Cohen at a function for one of the many charities Cohen supports. Photo/Provided by Dr. David L. Hoexter D. Walter Cohen: An iconic icon Ad DAvID L. HoExtEr, DMD, FACD, FICD, is director of the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics and a clinical professor in periodontics at Temple University, Philadelphia. He is a diplomate of implantology in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists as well as the American Society of Osseointegration, and a diplomateoftheAmericanBoardofAestheticDentistry.Hoexterlecturesthroughouttheworldandhaspublished nationally and internationally. He has been awarded 11 fellowships, including FACD, FICD and Pierre Fauchard. He maintains a practice at 654 Madison Ave., New York City, limited to periodontics, implantology and esthetic surgery. He can be reached at (212) 355-0004 or drdavidlh@gmail.com. ful family home in which he was raised, noting that his father was the first perio- dontist in Philadelphia. It was clear from the way he spoke that the encouragement and love that his family gave to him made it easy for him to give so much back. If the question were posed to me as to who and what is an icon in dentistry, I would swiftly reply, “D. Walter Cohen.”