[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 82 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          HONORING THE WORK AND CAREER OF DR. D. WALTER COHEN

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                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2014

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the impact of the 
work of Dr. D. Walter Cohen. Dr. Cohen's career brought extraordinary 
accomplishments to both Philadelphia and the global medical community. 
He set the highest standards in education and forged international 
partnerships for the promotion of peace. Today, I am pleased to honor 
Dr. D. Walter Cohen's contributions to education and science.
   Dr. Cohen was born and raised in Philadelphia. He earned both his 
undergraduate degree and a D.D.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. 
After completing a research fellowship in Pathology and Periodontics at 
Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, he returned to Philadelphia to commence 
a distinguished academic career.
   In 1951, Dr. Cohen returned to Penn as an associate professor and 
embarked on a career that would exemplify leadership, dedication, and 
the highest standard of innovation. During his tenure, he established 
Penn's Department of Periodontics and served as its first chairman, 
became a Professor of Periodontics, and ultimately became Dean of Penn 
Dental Medicine.
   As Dean, Dr. Cohen is widely credited for revitalizing the school's 
educational program by establishing a preceptor model of education, 
introducing new courses, recruiting a new faculty, and establishing a 
residency. His book describes the innovative program that changed the 
way Penn educates dental students; ``Educating the dentist of the 
future: The Pennsylvania Experiment.'' Dr. Cohen's career was 
ultimately recognized with the 2013 William J. Gies Award from the 
American Dental Education Association, which honored his superior 
achievements in dental education.
   His accomplishments have considerable international impact. In the 
1950's, he initiated a fellowship exchange between the U.S. and Israel. 
After raising $500,000, he was able to bring over 18 full-time faculty 
members to train at Penn. The program's success paved the way for the 
creation of The D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education 
in Israel. The center allowed dentists throughout the Middle East to 
study at the Hebrew University Hadassah School in Jerusalem. The 
program strengthened the partnership between the U.S. and Israel while 
promoting peace and education.
   Dr. Cohen's exemplary leadership helped to unite 41 U.S. dental 
schools under the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders. The Alliance 
is committed to promoting peace through health education. By crossing 
borders, health providers build bridges among dental and health 
professionals around the world. These connections provide education, 
improve the state of oral health globally, develop leadership and 
advocacy, and promote collaborative research.
   His legacy will endure through lasting contributions and through 
those who have recognized them. He was awarded honorary membership by 
the British Society of Periodontology, and given the Legion of Merit 
Award from the French Government. The American Academy of 
Periodontology offers a grant in his name, the Dr. D. Walter Cohen 
Teaching Award. It is my privilege to recognize the distinguished 
career of Dr. Walter Cohen for contributing to peace and education 
around the world.

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