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You had to be there to believe it!
FROM THE DEAN’S DESK — HEBREW UNIVERSITY
You had to be there to believe it!
O
n March 21st, 2006, after carefully developing a mutual relation of trust and understanding between the Al-Quds University Dental School, the first dental school in the Palestinian Authority, and our school, a joint program of collaboration between these two dental schools was launched. Officials from the Hebrew University, Al-Quds University and Hadassah as well as other distinguished guests were present at this historic event. Below are my opening remarks at the ceremony as well as an article by our friend, Stuart Fischman, describing his impressions of this day. “It is my distinct honor and pleasure to welcome you at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Campus and share with you the excitement and hope that accompany this day, as we officially embark together upon a journey of academic collaboration between the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine Founded by the Alpha Omega Fraternity and the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University. I am also honored to introduce the distinguished members of the dais: Prof. D. Walter Cohen, Founder & Honorary Chairman of the D. Walter Cohen, DDS, Middle East Center for Dental Education and Hadassah Medical Organization Board Member, Prof. Sari Nusseibeh, President of the Al-Quds University Prof. Musa Bajali, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University Profs. Menachem Magidor, Haim Rabinowitch, President and Rector of the Hebrew University respectively, Mrs. June Walker, National President of Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Director General of the Hadassah Medical Organization and Mr. Stanley Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Schein Company
In the audience are our honored guests from the Al-Quds University, including the Executive Vice President, the Deans of the Faculties of Medicine, Health Professions, Public Health, and Scientific Research as well as fifth year students from the dental school. Members of the Hadassah Medical Organization board members and a special guest, founder of the Gerald Niznick Dental Implant and Research Center as well as the Center for Dental Pre-Clinical Education and a great supporter of our
Next to the dais before the opening ceremony: standing from left to right- Dean Adam Stabholz, Dr. Gerald Niznick, Prof. D.Walter Cohen, Prof Musa Bajali-Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Al-Quds University, Mrs. June Walker-National President of Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization and Prof Sari Nusseibeh- President of Al Quds University.
dental school and dental education in Israel, Dr. Gerald Niznick. On June 1, 1997, with hope and great expectations, the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem marked an important milestone in Dental Education: the inauguration of the D. Walter Cohen, Middle East Center for Dental Education in Jerusalem. Several days before, about 1,000 dentists from 13 countries convened in an international conference named “The Bridge to Peace”. The conference’s scientific program included a symposium entitled “Dental Care and Dental Education Advances in the Middle East Based on World Experience”. Among the prominent participants were representatives of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. After a stimulating day of discussions, the participants unanimously decided to establish an international advisory committee chaired by D. Walter Cohen and including members representing international and local organizations such as WHO, FDI, UNESCO, NIDR, The Hebrew University, Hadassah and Alpha Omega. They also appointed delegates of Ministries of Heath of neighboring countries. The International Advisory Committee convened on November 10th, 1997 and formulated the following goals: 1. To serve as a center for dental education that will promote cooperation in the field of dental medicine between the countries of the Middle East. 2. To develop local programs in oral health for the benefit of the peoples of the area.
FROM THE DEAN’S DESK — HEBREW UNIVERSITY
Dean Adam Stabholz welcomes the participants at the opening ceremony and presents the distinguished guests at the dais: sitting from left to right- Prof. Haim Rabinowitch Rector of the Hebrew University; Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Director General of the Hadassah Medical Organization; Mrs. June Walker, National President of Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization; Prof. Menachem Magidor, President of the Hebrew University; Prof. Sari Nusseibeh, President of the Al-Quds University; Prof. D. Walter Cohen, Founder & Honorary Chairman of the D. Walter Cohen, DDS, Middle East Center for Dental Education and Hadassah Medical Organization Board Member; Mr. Stanley Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Schein Company and Prof. Musa Bajali, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University. 3. To provide dentists of the area with state-of-the-art knowledge and skills in all disciplines of modern dentistry. 4. To encourage joint research between Israeli scientists and their colleagues from neighboring countries.
On June 11th 1998, just one year after launching the center, ten trainees from the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Turkey and Cyprus completed a special six weeks continuing education course. This was the beginning!
A panoramic view from the back of the auditorium; Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef at the podium addresses the audience.
90
Prof. D. Walter Cohen, Dean Adam Stabholz and Dean Musa Bajali (left to right) present the World Heritage Sites album to Mr. Stanley Bergman, the annual speaker of our D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education.
The heartwarming words of admiration and appreciation, voiced by the trainees in their closing remarks, were an encouraging and clear expression that our efforts have added a valuable step toward crossing the bridge to peace. Additional courses and activities of the center have been a source of pride, although at times, they were affected by the ups and downs of the region’s political climate. The establishment of the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University was a significant landmark in the development of dental education in our area. It is but natural that teachers and researchers in the field of dental medicine should work together on mutual projects beneficial to the peoples of this
Students from the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University break bread and pita together during a joint lunch at a restaurant in the new Hadassah Mall located at the Hadassah Medical Center.
Alpha Omegan • Volume 99 • Number 2
FROM THE DEAN’S DESK — HEBREW UNIVERSITY
Students from the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University discuss current affairs at the table.
region. We are convinced that under the auspices of the D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education we will continue together to promote fruitful collaboration in dental medicine in our region which hopefully will modestly contribute to building a true bridge to peace.”
Following the speeches and greetings by the distinguished guests of the dais, I introduced Mr. Stanley Bergman, the Annual Speaker of our D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education: “Mr. Bergman is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Schein Company, and at this special moment, on behalf of our faculty and students, I would like to take the opportunity to express our gratitude for the outstanding gift of 48 fully equipped dental units given by the Henry Schein Company to our undergraduate main clinic. I encourage you to visit this unique facility.” Knowing of Stanley Bergman’s love of travel, at the end of the ceremony a special album “World Heritage Sites” was presented to him jointly by Profs, D. W. Cohen, Musa Bajali and myself. It was only appropriate that the inscription inside the album was written in three languages, Hebrew, Arabic and English. Fraternally,
Professor Adam Stabholz
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALPHA OMEGA IN THE PAST 100 YEARS On August 11, 1964, the Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, founded by Alpha Omega, was formally dedicated in Jerusalem. Alpha Omega had contributed in excess of $1,500,000, providing the academic and research facilities for dental health needs in Israel. In 1972, the Alpha Foundation was reaching out to the needs of dental health throughout the world and contributed to help make possible an international and local dental clinic called Chalutzim. The concept of mobile dental clinics has altered the nature of healthcare in isolated areas in the United States. Frater Marvin Stark from the University of California, San Francisco was the leader of this project. In the summer of 1972, fraters started in a group of more than 60 dental students and educated from all over the United States manned a number of dental clinics treating 100’s of children, both Arab and Jewish in Israel. In 1973, the London Charitable Trust became the 3rd Alpha Omega Foundation. In the late 1970s Alpha Omega took the responsibility of retraining of Russian dentists who emigrated from the Soviet Union by providing educational opportunities at Israeli dental teaching centers and throughout the world. In 2000, the first web cast was created and the speaker was Ronald Goldstein from Atlanta.
Alpha Omegan • Volume 99 • Number 2
91
You had to be there to believe it!
O
n March 21st, 2006, after carefully developing a mutual relation of trust and understanding between the Al-Quds University Dental School, the first dental school in the Palestinian Authority, and our school, a joint program of collaboration between these two dental schools was launched. Officials from the Hebrew University, Al-Quds University and Hadassah as well as other distinguished guests were present at this historic event. Below are my opening remarks at the ceremony as well as an article by our friend, Stuart Fischman, describing his impressions of this day. “It is my distinct honor and pleasure to welcome you at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Campus and share with you the excitement and hope that accompany this day, as we officially embark together upon a journey of academic collaboration between the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine Founded by the Alpha Omega Fraternity and the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University. I am also honored to introduce the distinguished members of the dais: Prof. D. Walter Cohen, Founder & Honorary Chairman of the D. Walter Cohen, DDS, Middle East Center for Dental Education and Hadassah Medical Organization Board Member, Prof. Sari Nusseibeh, President of the Al-Quds University Prof. Musa Bajali, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University Profs. Menachem Magidor, Haim Rabinowitch, President and Rector of the Hebrew University respectively, Mrs. June Walker, National President of Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Director General of the Hadassah Medical Organization and Mr. Stanley Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Schein Company
In the audience are our honored guests from the Al-Quds University, including the Executive Vice President, the Deans of the Faculties of Medicine, Health Professions, Public Health, and Scientific Research as well as fifth year students from the dental school. Members of the Hadassah Medical Organization board members and a special guest, founder of the Gerald Niznick Dental Implant and Research Center as well as the Center for Dental Pre-Clinical Education and a great supporter of our
Next to the dais before the opening ceremony: standing from left to right- Dean Adam Stabholz, Dr. Gerald Niznick, Prof. D.Walter Cohen, Prof Musa Bajali-Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Al-Quds University, Mrs. June Walker-National President of Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization and Prof Sari Nusseibeh- President of Al Quds University.
dental school and dental education in Israel, Dr. Gerald Niznick. On June 1, 1997, with hope and great expectations, the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem marked an important milestone in Dental Education: the inauguration of the D. Walter Cohen, Middle East Center for Dental Education in Jerusalem. Several days before, about 1,000 dentists from 13 countries convened in an international conference named “The Bridge to Peace”. The conference’s scientific program included a symposium entitled “Dental Care and Dental Education Advances in the Middle East Based on World Experience”. Among the prominent participants were representatives of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. After a stimulating day of discussions, the participants unanimously decided to establish an international advisory committee chaired by D. Walter Cohen and including members representing international and local organizations such as WHO, FDI, UNESCO, NIDR, The Hebrew University, Hadassah and Alpha Omega. They also appointed delegates of Ministries of Heath of neighboring countries. The International Advisory Committee convened on November 10th, 1997 and formulated the following goals: 1. To serve as a center for dental education that will promote cooperation in the field of dental medicine between the countries of the Middle East. 2. To develop local programs in oral health for the benefit of the peoples of the area.
FROM THE DEAN’S DESK — HEBREW UNIVERSITY
Dean Adam Stabholz welcomes the participants at the opening ceremony and presents the distinguished guests at the dais: sitting from left to right- Prof. Haim Rabinowitch Rector of the Hebrew University; Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Director General of the Hadassah Medical Organization; Mrs. June Walker, National President of Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization; Prof. Menachem Magidor, President of the Hebrew University; Prof. Sari Nusseibeh, President of the Al-Quds University; Prof. D. Walter Cohen, Founder & Honorary Chairman of the D. Walter Cohen, DDS, Middle East Center for Dental Education and Hadassah Medical Organization Board Member; Mr. Stanley Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Schein Company and Prof. Musa Bajali, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University. 3. To provide dentists of the area with state-of-the-art knowledge and skills in all disciplines of modern dentistry. 4. To encourage joint research between Israeli scientists and their colleagues from neighboring countries.
On June 11th 1998, just one year after launching the center, ten trainees from the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Turkey and Cyprus completed a special six weeks continuing education course. This was the beginning!
A panoramic view from the back of the auditorium; Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef at the podium addresses the audience.
90
Prof. D. Walter Cohen, Dean Adam Stabholz and Dean Musa Bajali (left to right) present the World Heritage Sites album to Mr. Stanley Bergman, the annual speaker of our D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education.
The heartwarming words of admiration and appreciation, voiced by the trainees in their closing remarks, were an encouraging and clear expression that our efforts have added a valuable step toward crossing the bridge to peace. Additional courses and activities of the center have been a source of pride, although at times, they were affected by the ups and downs of the region’s political climate. The establishment of the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University was a significant landmark in the development of dental education in our area. It is but natural that teachers and researchers in the field of dental medicine should work together on mutual projects beneficial to the peoples of this
Students from the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University break bread and pita together during a joint lunch at a restaurant in the new Hadassah Mall located at the Hadassah Medical Center.
Alpha Omegan • Volume 99 • Number 2
FROM THE DEAN’S DESK — HEBREW UNIVERSITY
Students from the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Quds University discuss current affairs at the table.
region. We are convinced that under the auspices of the D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education we will continue together to promote fruitful collaboration in dental medicine in our region which hopefully will modestly contribute to building a true bridge to peace.”
Following the speeches and greetings by the distinguished guests of the dais, I introduced Mr. Stanley Bergman, the Annual Speaker of our D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education: “Mr. Bergman is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Schein Company, and at this special moment, on behalf of our faculty and students, I would like to take the opportunity to express our gratitude for the outstanding gift of 48 fully equipped dental units given by the Henry Schein Company to our undergraduate main clinic. I encourage you to visit this unique facility.” Knowing of Stanley Bergman’s love of travel, at the end of the ceremony a special album “World Heritage Sites” was presented to him jointly by Profs, D. W. Cohen, Musa Bajali and myself. It was only appropriate that the inscription inside the album was written in three languages, Hebrew, Arabic and English. Fraternally,
Professor Adam Stabholz
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALPHA OMEGA IN THE PAST 100 YEARS On August 11, 1964, the Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, founded by Alpha Omega, was formally dedicated in Jerusalem. Alpha Omega had contributed in excess of $1,500,000, providing the academic and research facilities for dental health needs in Israel. In 1972, the Alpha Foundation was reaching out to the needs of dental health throughout the world and contributed to help make possible an international and local dental clinic called Chalutzim. The concept of mobile dental clinics has altered the nature of healthcare in isolated areas in the United States. Frater Marvin Stark from the University of California, San Francisco was the leader of this project. In the summer of 1972, fraters started in a group of more than 60 dental students and educated from all over the United States manned a number of dental clinics treating 100’s of children, both Arab and Jewish in Israel. In 1973, the London Charitable Trust became the 3rd Alpha Omega Foundation. In the late 1970s Alpha Omega took the responsibility of retraining of Russian dentists who emigrated from the Soviet Union by providing educational opportunities at Israeli dental teaching centers and throughout the world. In 2000, the first web cast was created and the speaker was Ronald Goldstein from Atlanta.
Alpha Omegan • Volume 99 • Number 2
91