Dental News - Oral Health Alliance honors Dr. Anthony Volpe

David L. Hoexter, DMD, FACD, FICD, Editor in Chief, Dental Tribune USA

Thu. 8 October 2015

save

NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: The Oral Health Alliance paid homage to Dr. Anthony Volpe at its recent annual gala, held once again in Chicago. A man of commitment and honor, Volpe is worthy of recognition, with endless achievements, including a recent trip to Israel to assist in Dr. D. Walter Cohen’s initiative, “Bridges to Peace.” Volpe has been involved in Israel’s oral health development for more than 20 years, supporting among other things both the Hebrew Dental School and the Palestinian Dental School.

The two schools are known for their program that enables students to switch schools to interchange knowledge — truly building bridges to peace.

Often when an organization honors an individual, it is with great preceding fanfare, in part to draw a large contingent of supporters to help make the event an enthusiastic affair and financial success. In this instance, to its credit, the Oral Health Alliance did not announce the honor prior to the meeting. Yet even without advance notice, the vast room was filled to capacity with Volpe admirers. Donations to OHA’s charitable efforts were flowing, much of it via an auction that raised funds supporting OHA’s efforts to advocate for and deliver oral health to the world’s most underserved populations.

The award presented to Volpe is truly commendable, honoring a man who has encouraged all aspects of dentistry and oral health for his entire professional life — all with generosity, humbleness, enthusiasm and grace. He and his wife of more than 50 years, Marlene, have always lived as an example of decency. His leadership role in research with Colgate-Palmolive led the way to so many positive products and services of immeasurable benefit to the public’s oral health. When it was time to pass the baton to continue Colgate’s contribution to society and the business of oral health, Volpe accomplished the task like a father handing off to a son, remaining available as a loyal contributor — with insights and opinions when asked.

He is a born leader. A champion of decency, faithfulness and leadership. He readily praises the many teachers and others who helped form him as they furthered the field of dentistry, including notables such as Dr. J. Manheim, Dr. A. Dragoni and Dr. D. Walter Cohen. Volpe has supported all areas of dentistry, including through his involvement with the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics and schools such as Rutgers.

When the gala evening commenced, Volpe graciously took me to his table and sat me next to him — surrounded by some of the ADA’s top leaders and their spouses. It was just a few years ago that Volpe raised $29 million for the ADA Foundation, specifically earmarking the funds solely for increasing dental health and delivering associated information to dentists, dental students and the public — not for marketing or lobbying.

A telling anecdote illustrates Volpe’s character: When this deeply religious man obtained a personal meeting with the Pope, he used the visit to speak of providing toothbrushes and improved oral health to countries with the greatest need.

The Oral Health Alliance presented Volpe with this honor not to recognize research, business acumen and service in advancing oral health, but to simply say “thank you” to a classy, wonderful individual who just so happens — to our good fortune — to be a dentist. As Dr. Milke and JoAnn Alfano so succinctly said, “(We) and the professional field thank you for your leadership, achievements, generosity, integrity — but most of all — for your friendship.” Personally, I am fortunate to have Tony as a friend and colleague. The OHA filled the vast room to honor him without financial magnetism and without prior announcement. I personally, professionally — and as a friend — just wish to add my own, “Thank you uncle Tony.”

To post a reply please login or register

World Health Organization honors oral cancer screening device

BURNABY, CANADA / NEW YORK, NY, USA: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recognized the VELscope enhanced oral assessment system as an innovative ...

Project Accessible Oral Health honors champions in the disability community

ALBERTSON, N.Y., USA: Project Accessible Oral Health at The Viscardi Center, a global public-private partnership that aims to improve access to oral ...

California Dental Association honors school districts for commitment to oral health

Sacramento, CA, USA: The California Dental Association (CDA) has recognized the top California school districts for their ongoing efforts in support of the ...

ADA to honor Slavkin for excellence in dental research and advancing oral health

CHICAGO, IL, USA: Noted educator and researcher Harold C. Slavkin, DDS, is the 2009 recipient of the American Dental Association’s Gold Medal Award ...

CDA Foundation honors Dr. Terry T. Tanaka

Sacramento, Calif., USA: Terry T. Tanaka, DDS, was awarded the 2011 California Dental Association Foundation Humanitarian Award for his dedication to ...

Toward oral health equity

In 2022, I think we’ll see dentistry make greater strides in improving health equity — that is, helping everyone achieve their optimal level of oral ...

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry honors Dr Jimmy Eubank

HONOLULU, HI, USA: Dr Jimmy Eubank, a world-renowned speaker and researcher in the field of cosmetic dentistry for more than 30 years, was honored with a ...

Harvard alums honor Dr. Alvin Krakow

NEW HAVEN, Conn., USA: Dr. Jeffrey Linden gathered several former students of Dr. Alvin Krakow, a beloved endodontics professor at the Harvard School of ...

ADA Foundation names Hart director of Volpe Research Center

CHICAGO, Ill., USA: The ADA Foundation (ADAF) has named Dr. Thomas C. Hart as the new director of the ADAF Dr. Anthony Volpe Research Center (VRC). His ...

McNamara Award honors contributions and career of Dr. James McNamara

ST. LOUIS, Mo., USA: Late last year, in tribute to the many accomplishments of a distinguished orthodontist, academician, and industry innovator, the ...

Education

Live webinar
Tue. 7 May 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)