In memory of their hard work, vision, and mentorship
“While these two pillars – Prof. D. Walter Cohen and Prof. Adi Garfunkel – are no longer with us physically, they will always be with us in spirit. Our pledge is to honor their hard work, vision, and mentorship by continuing to disseminate evidence-based research, best practices, and emerging technologies and techniques for use in clinical applications.”
Prof. Louis F. Rose
Editor Emeritus “Compendium”
President International Scientific College “Actualități Stomatologice”
In memoriam
Adi Garfunkel will long be remembered for his impact on the high quality of dental education over the world. His loss will leave a void that will not be filled since he was such a rare and beloved individual. Adi will certainly be remembered for his warmth, humanity, and courage. And for so much more…
ADI A. GARFUNKEL, DMD
Founder & Editor-In-Chief “Actualități Stomatologice” 1999-2018
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Professor in Oral Medicine;
Chairman of Oral Medicine Dept., Hadassah Hospital;
Dean-Emeritus Hadassah Hebrew University,
Founded by the Alpha Omega Fraternity, Jerusalem, Israel;
Co-founder and Academic Director Dental Branch,
Shamir (Asaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Israel;
Dr. Honoris Causa, “Carol Davila” University, Bucharest, Romania
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Born in Romania, Prof. Adi Garfunkel received his DMD from the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem, Israel, which was established as a joint initiative of the Hebrew University, Hadassah Hospital and the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity. He underwent graduate training in Oral Medicine at the Dental School, University of Pennsylvania and received a Fellowship in Immunology from them. He was Board certified by the American Academy of Oral Medicine. Dr. Garfunkel was Professor in Oral Medicine at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem and was certified in Anaesthesiology.
Prof. Garfunkel served as Dean of the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah, and was Chairman of the Oral Medicine Department in Hadassah Hospital for over 25 years. He was the co-founder and first director of the D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education affiliated to the same faculty, organizing graduate training in different fields of dentistry.
Dr. Garfunkel was Co-Founder and Academic Director of the Dental Department at the Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, affiliated with the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University.
He co-founded the Israeli Mobile Dentistry Nonprofit Organization for Oral Health for Home-bound Patients, and served as its Medical Director. In 2018, the organization was renamed the Israeli Mobile Dentistry Nonprofit Organization Prof. Adi. A. Garfunkel as a sign of deep gratitude for his dedication to this cause and his continuous efforts to ensure its success.
Dr. Garfunkel held numerous Professorships, among them: Adjunct Professor of Medicine – College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA; Visiting Full Professor at the School of Dental Medicine, Medical Faculty of Tel Aviv University; Visiting Professor of Oral Medicine – Medical College of Pennsylvania; Adjunct Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery – MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine; Visiting Associate Professor in the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Pahlavi University), Iran.
As well as being an active member of the American Academy of Oral Medicine, Dr. Garfunkel was an honorary member of the American Dental Association, International Association of Dental Research, Burma Dental Association, Academy of International Dental Studies, Israeli Dental Association, Israeli Society of Oral Medicine.
In recognition of his contribution to dentistry, Prof. Garfunkel received numerous awards and honors from all over the world including the Certificate of Excellence from the American Academy of Dental Medicine; the Alumni Award of Merit from the School of Dental Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania; and was included on the Rector List of Best Teachers of the Hebrew University.
Nippon University in Japan and the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania bestowed upon him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa.
In recognition of his outstanding lifetime contribution to dentistry, in 2011, Shimon Peres, the ninth President of Israel, conferred on him the prestigious, The President of Israel Award for Voluntary Activities.
The city of Bucharest acknowledged his role in the development of Romanian Dentistry and its affirmation on the International scene by presenting him with the Honorary Diplomat & Medal of the City of Bucharest. In 2013, Dr. Garfunkel received the President of Romania Medal of Merit for his significant contributions to dental education in Romania.
In 2017, Prof. Garfunkel received the Israeli Society of Oral Medicine and the Israeli Dental Association‘s highest honors in recognition of his outstanding contributions and lifetime commitment to the dental profession in general and, in particular, to the speciality of oral medicine.
He was the former editor of the Israel Journal of Dental Sciences, a member of numerous editorial boards – including the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, USA – and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Middle East Journal of Oral Health, both AEGIS Publications. Prof. Adi A. Garfunkel founded the Romanian Dental News Journal, “Actualităţi Stomatologice” and served as Editor-in-Chief since its debut in September 1999.
He published over 100 original papers in peer-reviewed journals, among them “Oral mucositis – the search for a solution” published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine in 2004 (the only Israeli dentist to ever have an article published in NEJM) and book-chapters on anesthesia; and also on the connection between oral and systemic health, among them “Dental Implants – the Art and Science” (Dental Implant Therapy for Medically Complex Patients) published in USA, in 2010.
Dr. Garfunkel had a private practice in Jerusalem. In addition, he continued to teach and to lecture widely in the Hebrew, English, French and Romanian languages. His conferences, which were one–man–shows, were greatly appreciate around the world. He encouraged participants to not only be better dentists but to become better physicians with the ability and confidence to treat medically complex patients within their own practices.
In memoriam
Throughout his long and distinguished career, Dr. D. Walter Cohen was untiring and creative in his pursuit of excellence. His contributions to both dentistry and medicine, his generosity to people and institutions, and his ability to accomplish the impossible had – and will continue to have – a profound effect on all of us.
D. WALTER COHEN, DDS
Founder & Honorific President “Actualități Stomatologice” 1999 – 2018
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Professor in Periodontics
Chairman & Dean-Emeritus Univ. of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine;
Chancellor-Emeritus of Drexel Univ. College of Medicine, Pennsylvania;
Founding Editor Compendium USA;
Doctor Honoris Causa „Carol Davila” University, Bucharest, Romania
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Philadelphia born and bred, D. Walter Cohen, DDS attended the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate school and earned his D.D.S. from its School of Dental Medicine in 1950. Following a Research Fellowship in Pathology and Periodontics at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, he returned to Penn as assistant instructor in the Dental School. During his 35-year career there, he established the school’s department of periodontics and served as its first chairman; rose to the rank of Professor of Periodontics, and served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before becoming Dean.
He was widely credited with revitalizing the school’s educational program during his tenure as Dean from 1972 to 1983 by establishing a preceptor model of education, introducing new courses, recruiting a new faculty and establishing a residency described in his book: Educating the Dentist of the Future: The Pennsylvania Experiment.
Dr. Cohen continued to practice and teach in addition to his responsibilities as an administrator. His constant search for knowledge has made him a prominent member of the scientific community with 22 books and more than 130 published articles to his credit.
Dr. Cohen resigned the Deanship in 1983 to pursue other academic challenges. He subsequently spent a year as the first Presidential Scholar at the University of California at San Francisco. In 1986 the D. Walter Cohen and Betty A. Cohen Professor and Chair in Periodontal Research was dedicated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He serves as Dean-Emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
After becoming President of the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1986, he opened a new educational campus with the addition of the 15-acre property at Queen Lane. In 1993, Dr. Cohen became Chancellor of the Medical College of Pennsylvania. During his Presidency he led the endowment of 16 academic chairs and professorships in the College of Medicine. He also was a co-founder of the successful ELAM Program in 1994.
Recognition of Dr. Cohen’s contributions have come in the form of numerous awards and honors from all over the world including honorary degrees from Boston University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Athens, the Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, the University of Detroit and Carol Davila University in Bucharest, Romania, Drexel University and Gratz College.
He received the Gold Medal from the American Academy of Periodontology and was only the third American to earn honorary membership in the British Society of Periodontology. In 1976 Dr. Cohen was elected to the Central High School Hall of Fame. In 1982, the French government bestowed its Legion of Merit Award upon Dr. Cohen in recognition of his significant contributions to dental education in France. In 1990 Ambassador Walter Annenberg endowed the D. Walter Cohen Professorship and Chair in Periodontics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He was a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He chaired the Pennsylvania Diabetes Academy and served as President of the National Museum of American Jewish History and was a member of the Board of the Jewish Publication Society.
On June 1, 1997, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem dedicated the D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education in Israel. In 1998, Dr. Cohen became Chancellor-Emeritus of Drexel University College of Medicine. He serves on the Board of Trustees, Drexel University College of Medicine (PHEC), Philadelphia University, Gratz College, National Disease Research Interchange, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly Pops, and the Hadassah Medical Organization.
Prof. D. Walter Cohen was the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, an AEGIS publication USA, and Co-Founder and Honorific President of the Romanian Dental News Journal “Actualităţi Stomatologice”.