Remembering Dr. Norman Kahn and His Lasting Legacy at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Friends, family, and colleagues of Dr. Norman Kahn often speak of two great loves in his life. The first was his wife, Dale, whom he described as his best friend. After meeting on a blind date in the fall of 1953, the two were inseparable for the rest of their lives. The second was Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM), where he devoted much of his career as an educator, mentor, and leader. Through a $1 million bequest designated for student scholarships, Kahn ensured that his commitment to students would continue for generations to come. Columbia University will match Kahn's bequest, bringing the total contribution to $2 million.
Kahn passed away in 2025 at the age of 92. He was the Robinson Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology and Dental Medicine at Columbia University, where he spent more than five decades as a faculty member.
He received a BA from Columbia College, a DDS from CDM, and a PhD in pharmacology from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Kahn joined the Columbia faculty in 1962 and rose from instructor to professor of pharmacology and dentistry. He also served as a consulting pharmacologist at Harlem Hospital from 1966 to 1980 and as chairman of the Institutional Review Board at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center from 1981 to 1991.
When Dean Allan Formicola set out to modernize the dental curriculum, he turned to Kahn, whose expertise in pharmacology, understanding of clinical dentistry, and lifelong connection to Columbia made him an ideal partner in that effort. Kahn was appointed associate dean of academic affairs in 1988 and later served as acting dean of CDM from 1994 to 1995.
As associate dean, he helped lead a major reorganization of the curriculum, working across departments to strengthen the connection between foundational sciences and clinical education. His efforts helped shape the educational experience of generations of students and advanced the school's commitment to integrating dental and medical education.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Kahn received the Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1980 and the Physicians & Surgeons Distinguished Service Award in Pre-Clinical Years in 2001. In recognition of his contributions to the school, he received CDM's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Although Kahn held a number of leadership roles, Formicola said teaching remained at the center of his work.
"Norman was probably the most prepared person I have ever seen. I don't think he ever walked into a lecture hall without having done hours of preparation," Formicola said. "He was clear, he loved teaching, and the students appreciated that."
Outside the classroom, Kahn found other ways to connect with students. For many years, he led Columbia's Bacchus Club for medical and dental students. "He always looked to go the extra mile, especially when it came to interacting with students," Formicola said.
Looking back, Formicola sees Kahn's dedication to students as a defining thread throughout his career. But more than any title or accomplishment, Formicola remembers Kahn's warmth, sincerity, and sense of humor. No matter how challenging the day was, he could always find something to laugh about.
"I hope people remember him as a warm human being, someone who was very approachable, and who loved the school very much."