CDA President Carol Summerhays, DDS presents the Humanitarian Award to Judith Walter who accepted on behalf of her father Charlie Goldstein, DDS.
HOD Includes Tribute to Charlie Goldstein, DDS
Part of the House of Delegates program on Friday, November 14 included CDA President Carol Summerhays, DDS, presenting the Humanitarian Award to Dr. Charles Goldstein’s daughter Judith Walter and showing a video highlighting Dr. Goldstein’s selfless efforts in providing oral health care to more than 500,000 people in California.
Due to his declining health, the Foundation presented Dr. Goldstein with the award at his home in May. He passed away the following day at age 87.
The CDA Foundation established the award earlier this year as a means to recognize California dentists who have distinguished themselves through unselfish leadership and contributions to humanity in the field of dentistry.
Ms. Walter sent the following letter on behalf of the Goldstein family.
A Tribute to Charlie Goldstein and Community Health Dentistry
On behalf of the entire Goldstein family, thank you for inviting me to the CDA House of Delegates Annual Meeting (11-14-08) to receive the first ever Humanitarian Award in my father’s name.
My father’s dedication and love of mobile clinic was immense. Thousands of children across the state have been able to receive much-needed oral health care and that is now allowing them to lead healthier lives.
A day before my father passed, Dean Harold Slavkin asked, “Charlie: is there anything you still feel you need to accomplish?” My dad responded that he wanted to ensure that the USC Mobile Dental Clinic would continue to serve needy children long after he was gone. It was his wish to establish an endowed mobile clinic fund that would produce income forever. He was working on this project at the time of his death.
The Office of Dental Development at the USC School of Dentistry has established that endowed fund to keep Charlie’s dream alive. The goal is to raise $4,000,000 over four years.
Those of you who have visited the USC School of Dentistry may be familiar with the wall near the Pediatric Clinic dedicated to my Dad that includes this quote: “I believe the most important thing a person can do is to help others have a better life”
Thank you again for recognizing my father and his love for dentistry and serving the needs of the many underserved communities throughout Central and Southern California.
Judith E. Walter
CDA Foundation Extends Humanitarian Award Nominations to January 31, 2009
The Foundation has extended the deadline for accepting nominations for this year’s CDA Foundation Humanitarian Award to January 31, 2009.
Potential nominees of this award must be nominated by either a CDA member or a component dental society executive director, but nominees need not be a CDA member. Recipients of this award will be recognized at an appropriate CDA event, presented with a humanitarian award and be recognized in CDA publications, and a $2,500 award contribution will be given by the CDA Foundation in the recipient’s name to a nonprofit of their choice.
