Dr. R. Bruce Donoff

Dr. Bruce Donoff’s legacy is defined not only by extraordinary professional achievement, but by the profound and lasting impact he had on people, institutions, and the profession of dentistry.  A healer, educator, mentor, and visionary leader, he devoted his life to advancing dentistry with compassion, integrity, and purpose.

Dr. Donoff began his academic journey at Brooklyn College, where he completed his undergraduate studies before entering the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, earning his DMD in 1967. Driven by a deep belief in the inseparable connection between oral health and overall health, he went on to earn his MD from Harvard Medical School in 1973—a dual-degree path that would define his career and influence generations of clinicians.

His professional life was closely intertwined with Harvard’s Faculty of Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he began as an intern in 1967 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He remained committed to the department throughout his career, rising to become Chairman and Chief of Service in 1983. In this role, he was widely respected for his clinical excellence, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to patient-centered care.

In 1991, Dr. Donoff was appointed Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), a role he held for nearly three decades. Under his leadership, HSDM experienced transformative growth—expanding its research enterprise, strengthening its integration with medicine, and championing community-based clinical training. His tenure left an enduring legacy, redefining dental education and reinforcing dentistry’s essential role within the broader healthcare system.

Left: Dr. Walter Guralnick, artist Hedva Ser,
and Dean R. Bruce Donoff.

A proud and devoted member of Alpha Omega, Dr. Donoff was instrumental in advancing many of the organization’s most meaningful initiatives. He played a key role in supporting AO’s Holocaust Survivor Program and was deeply involved in the installation of the Tree of Peace at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine—a lasting symbol of unity, remembrance, and dentistry’s power to build bridges across cultures and communities. His leadership and values reflected the very heart of Alpha Omega’s mission.

Dr. Donoff’s influence extended well beyond Harvard. As a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of The Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, he was a passionate advocate for global oral health and education. He championed international collaboration and helped launch Rwanda’s first dental school, underscoring his commitment to service, capacity building, and global responsibility.

A prolific scholar and thought leader, Dr. Donoff made major contributions to research in oral and maxillofacial surgery, with interests spanning wound healing, bone graft survival, sensory nerve repair, and oral cancer. He published more than one hundred scientific papers, authored textbooks, and lectured worldwide. He served for twelve years on the Board of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation, was Past President of the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and played a significant role in shaping professional literature as editor of the MGH Manual of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and as a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Massachusetts Dental Society Journal.

The Alpha Omega–Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program was presented the William J. Gies Award for Vision, Innovation and Achievement. Allison Neale (left)  R. Bruce Donoff (center) Avi Wurman (right) 

In recognition of his extraordinary career, Dr. Donoff received numerous honors, including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Research Recognition Award, the William J. Gies Foundation Award for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, designation as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Distinguished Alumni and Faculty Award from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. In December 2011, he was awarded the Alpha Omega Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity.

Those who knew Dr. Donoff remember his humility, wisdom, and generosity of spirit. He led quietly, listened deeply, and inspired without seeking recognition. His legacy lives on in the students he mentored, the institutions he strengthened, the global initiatives he championed, and the values he upheld.

As we honor Dr. Bruce Donoff, the Alpha Omega and the broader dental community celebrate a life devoted to healing, learning, and service. His influence will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.

Healing Starts With Your Help

Help us provide strength, stability, and support for the Israeli dental community.

During the Alpha Omega International Convention in Naples, Florida, we held a very special event called AO Night of Purpose, sponsored by all of the AO Foundations and Charitable Trusts to support our newest initiative, Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope.

We heard directly from Israeli dental students about the challenge of returning to patient care while carrying the weight of what they witnessed. The trauma they experienced did not end when they came home. Their stories are powerful—and impossible to forget.

We also previewed a video which features interviews with Esi Sharon, the forensic dentist who led the identification efforts, along with the deans of Israel’s dental schools, who speak candidly about the emotional toll on their students and faculty and the challenge of rebuilding lives while continuing their professional calling.

To understand the urgency, we ask you to watch and share our powerful 9-minute The Morning Everything Changed.

Yes, it is nine minutes. Please watch it! Better yet, make it a chapter moment. Host a gathering. Show the video at your next meeting or event. Use it as a meaningful way to bring AO members together around a shared purpose.

The DC Chapter has already taken the lead — becoming the first to host a gathering in support of this vital initiative. Please see the information below.

If we do not care for our own, who will?

Learn more about this crucial effort or donate today.

Join us on Saturday, March 28th for a fun night of comedy!

Give-A-Hoot Comedy Club inside La Mexicana Restaurant
16143 Shady Grove Rd, - Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Tickets are $25 per person, food and drinks can be purchased on site

This fundraiser benefits the Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope program
which supports the emotional well-being of the Israeli dental community.

Fraters are encouraged to bring friends and family!
Click here to purchase tickets through AO Washington DC
Or through Give-A-Hoot Comedy Club's website by clicking here

Want to host a fundraiser for your chapter?
Please contact the AO US Dental Foundation at 301-228-0227 or email us at foundation@aofus.org.

At December’s Alpha Omega Convention in Naples, U.S. Board Chair Dr. Marc Rothman hosted a special brunch for Executive Board members and leaders of AO Foundations and Charitable Trusts. The gathering fostered connection, thoughtful conversation, and a shared appreciation for the philanthropic partnerships that power Alpha Omega’s mission.

Administrative Committee

International Directors

Young Alumni & Student Representatives

Mazal tov to Eastman Institute for Oral Health on becoming the sixth school in the Country to join the Alpha Omega - Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program.

Stay up to date on the program’s growth and impact. Click below to read the latest newsletter.

Mazal tov to Dr. Whitney R. Mostafiz-Levinson on the arrival of her baby girl, Mila "Milly" Bee, officially making them a family of five.

Mazal tov to Dr. André Amiach on being selected as a recipient of Tel Aviv University’s 70th Anniversary Recognition Award for Exceptional Contribution.

Mazal tov to Dr. Ilana Kramer on the birth of her baby boy, Yonatan (Yoni).

Mazal tov to Dr. Howard Israel on his January tribute in the Compendium honoring Dr. Perry Brickman z'l (1932–2025), an Alpha Omega member and oral and maxillofacial surgeon who stood up to antisemitism at Emory University, ultimately leading to the university’s official public apology in 2012.  His work remains an important reminder that dental professionals must speak out against discrimination and injustice.
Click here to read the tribute

The Alpha Omega US Dental Foundation continues to support meaningful initiatives that bring our communities closer in the United States and Israel. Each tribute you purchase does more than honor someone - it directly funds meaningful programs that touch lives.

Honor someone special, commemorate a milestone, or express your gratitude by purchasing a tribute today. Together, we can continue to uplift dental students, faculty, and our global community.

Click here to send a tribute.

On behalf of the Alpha Omega US Dental Foundation, we express our deepest gratitude
for the unwavering support and generous gifts.

Thank you, donors!

Below is a list of gifts received by the US Dental Foundation for January and February, 2026

Renewing Minds Restoring Hope - Supporting the Mental Well-Being of the Israeli Dental Community

First Signs of Hope - $375 to $1,249
Supporting three treatments – a strong start on the journey to recovery

Steady Progress - $1,250 to $4,999
Providing 10 treatment sessions, bringing lasting relief within reach

Double the Impact - $7,500 - $9,999

Help two individuals fully reclaim their lives through comprehensive care

The Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program

Rebuilding the Dental Clinic at Kibbutz Be'eri In Memory of Heroes

Tools of Recovery - $360 to $499

Walls of Healing - $500 to $679

Donors of Dignity - $680 to $1799

Rebuilders of Hope - $1800 plus

In Memory of Bruce Donoff

Platinum

In Memory of Musa Bajali

Gold

In Memory of Rob Kolton

Silver

Gold

Platinum

In Memory of Pauline "Pessie" Rosenberg

Silver 

In Memory of Paula Silver

Silver

In Honor of Laurie Gordon-Shaw's 65th Birthday
benefiting the Renewing Minds, Restoring Hope Program

Gold

Platinum

In Honor of Eldad Helft

Gold

In Honor of Sharon Perlmutter

Gold

 Silver: $36.00 | Gold: $72.00 | Platinum: $180.00

Pay tribute to a friend's birthday by sending a card from the US Dental Foundation supporting our work, supporting the needs of Israel, and AO US Society Chapters. Click here!

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