Bridging Borders Through Dental Care
D. Walter Cohen, DDS Middle East Center for Dental Education
In 1997, Dr. D. Walter Cohen, along with his wife Betty and the Alpha Omega, established the D. Walter Cohen, DDS Middle East Center for Dental Education in Jerusalem, Israel. Dr. Cohen's vision and passionate commitment created a genuine opportunity to enhance peace efforts, emphasizing the importance of dental education, research, and fostering cooperation. Today, the Center sets the standard for global learning and facilitates a unique exchange program between dental students at Hebrew University and Al-Quds School of Dentistry, promoting knowledge, compassion, and understanding.
Tree of Peace
The Tree of Peace symbolizes the power of dentistry to bridge cultural and political divides, using the oral health profession as a vehicle for building; developed by Dr. Allen Finkelstein, CEO of Bedford HealthCare Solutions and is supported by the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund; Henry Schein Cares; and the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders The 1st Tree of Peace sculpture was placed in 2007 at the Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine. The tree symbolizes the peaceful, pioneering partnership between Israeli and Palestinian dental students at Hebrew University and Al-Quds University, both of which are located in Jerusalem, Israel.
In 2011, the Tree of Peace took root at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Arizona as a testament to the unwavering commitment to global peace and solidifying the collaboration between medicine and education. The statue at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health was the first installation in the United States.
The unveiling of the "Tree of Peace" sculpture at the Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry in Philadelphia represents the third installation at a dental school. This symbolic tree stands as a steadfast reminder of the continuous endeavors to forge a lasting legacy of global peace through the realm of dentistry.
The Tree of Peace sculpture marks the close collaboration of the dental schools of Al-Quds University and Hebrew University and the desire to use the oral health profession as a vehicle for building relationships and understanding throughout the region and the world. The 2nd sculpture in the Middle East continues the legacy of the inaugural Tree of Peace unveiled at Hebrew University, opening avenues for dental professionals, educators, and students to transcend political and religious barriers, utilizing oral health as a catalyst to enhance the quality of life for individuals of diverse nationalities.
The fifth global Tree of Peace at Harvard School of Dental Medicine was dedicated to Dr. Walter Guralnick, professor emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr. R. Bruce Donoff, dean of the school. This Tree of Peace is a symbol to commemorate the active engagement of students and faculty in global programs, fostering collaboration and partnerships with schools worldwide and expressing the belief that the world can evolve into a better place.
