CDM Supporters Gather for Launch of New Leadership Circle and Strategic Vision
The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM) recently gathered alumni, faculty, and clinical partners at the Nassau Country Club for a welcome reception for Dean Mitchell focused on the school’s future as a global leader in dental education and digital innovation.
The event marked a significant homecoming for the Dean, who outlined a roadmap centered on academic excellence, the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical training, and a major revitalization of the school's historic facilities.
Launching the Dean’s Circle
A centerpiece of the evening was the relaunch of the Dean’s Circle, a leadership giving society designed to provide the school with the flexible resources needed to address both immediate and strategic institutional priorities.
The Dean recognized the event’s Host Committee—Dr. Al Granger (Chair), Joseph G. Haggar, Doron Kalman, and Thomas B. Wilson—along with the CDM Board of Advisors, as the inaugural members of this circle. Their leadership gifts of $25,000 to the Dean’s Discretionary Fund serve as the seed capital for this new chapter of growth.
"To lead a transformation in AI and community care, I need your support, your ideas, and your partnership," the Dean told the assembled guests. "The leadership provided by the Dean’s Circle allows us to hit the ground running."
A Roadmap for the 21st Century
While celebrating CDM’s status as one of the most selective dental programs in the nation—boasting an 8% acceptance rate—the Dean emphasized that maintaining this excellence requires a bold investment in technology and infrastructure.
The strategic vision includes $10 million in targeted capital projects:
- Digital Dentistry Lab ($5M): A dedicated space to equip clinicians with 3D imaging, CAD/CAM technology, and AI-driven digital workflows.
- Simulation Center ($5M): A world-class environment for immersive, hands-on clinical training for DDS students and residents.
The Dean also highlighted CDM’s pioneering role in the AI revolution through programs like Radiological AI in Dentistry (RAID) and the Dean’s AI Fellows, which empower faculty to integrate responsible AI tools into the curriculum.
Honoring the CDM Legacy
Beyond infrastructure, the evening focused on the faculty and mentors who serve as the school's backbone. The Dean invited the community to invest in the people who define the Columbia experience through three key funds:
- The Louis Mandel, DDS Fund: An initiative to establish an endowed professorship in honor of the legendary Dr. Louis Mandel.
- The James E. McIntosh DDS, MPH Scholarship Fund: A fund providing support to post-graduate students in need while honoring the long-time service and dedication of Dr. James E. McIntosh.
- The David A. Albert DDS, MPH Scholarship Fund: Officially launched during the reception, this fund honors the legacy of Dr. David Albert, a dedicated advocate for underserved communities and dental public health.
The launch of the Albert Scholarship was a particularly poignant moment of the evening. David’s wife, Marcy Stein Albert, spoke to the gathered guests about David's profound commitment to his students and the patients he served. Accompanied by their sons, Benjamin and Nathan, David’s sister Helen, and nieces Hannah and Sarah, Marcy shared reflections on David’s 38-year tenure, during which he became a pillar of the CDM community.
Strengthening Community Ties
Despite a chilly and rainy evening on Long Island, the venue was filled with warmth as friends and colleagues old and new connected. The reception included representatives from the Nassau County Dental Society, former CDM Dean Allan Formicola and the new Mailman School of Public Health Dean Jonathan Mermin. Columbia student musicians provided the evening's entertainment.
As CDM prepares for upcoming international service trips and the modernization of its 100-year-old facility, the Long Island reception served as a vital touchpoint for the alumni who will help drive this mission forward.
"We aren’t just graduating dentists," the Dean said. "We are cultivating the next generation of specialists and dental leaders for the nation."
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