Dr. D. Walter Cohen was a Philadelphia native who greatly advanced the specialty of periodontics. A legend in the specialty, he recently passed away at the age of 91.
As one of the founding fathers of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, Dr. Cohen served as a director for the Foundation for two terms before holding a permanent seat as an honorary director. He inspired a small group of periodontists to raise funds for the Dr. D. Walter Cohen Teaching Award, which is now an annual $10,000 award through the AAP Foundation.
According to the late Dr. Cohen, the best place to direct gifts to support the specialty is the AAP Foundation. He once said, "We have got to protect our specialty, and the Foundation is out there doing it. It's an investment in your own future as a periodontist as well as that of the specialty. I can't think of any other organization that is devoted to securing the future of periodontology more than the AAP Foundation." He supported this statement with a generous bequest to the AAP Foundation that will help ensure that his award will inspire periodontists for decades to come.
Dr. Cohen was a kind, generous leader who inspired countless people in his lifetime. His contributions to the field have come in the form of numerous awards and honors from all over the world. And now, after his lifetime, Dr. Cohen's bequest will allow the Foundation to carry on his legacy.
Create Your Professional Legacy
Let us help you create your own legacy at the AAP Foundation. To find the option that is right for you, contact Robert A. Vitas, PhD, CAE, CFRE at 312-573-3256 or bob@perio.org.