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 Foundation, established the D. Walter Cohen, DDS Middle East Center for Dental Education in Jerusalem, Israel. Dr. Cohen's vision and passionate commitment created a meaningful opportunity to enhance peace efforts by emphasizing the importance of dental education, research, and cooperation among people in the Middle East. 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. Developed by Dr. Allen Finkelstein (CEO of Bedford HealthCare Solutions) and supported by the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Henry Schein Cares, and the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, 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. The first Tree of Peace sculpture was placed in 2007 at the Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine.
In 2011, the Tree of Peace took root at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health as a testament to its unwavering commitment to global peace, symbolizing the collaboration between medicine, education, and the pursuit of peaceful coexistence within the global community. This was the first installation of the Tree of Peace in the United States.
Temple University's Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry in Philadelphia was the third dental school to install the Tree of Peace sculpture on its campus. 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 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 second sculpture in the Middle East, this one located on Al-Quds' campus, 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 installation of the 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 through education, cultural exchange, and mutual respect, we can build a more inclusive, compassionate, and harmonious world.
