Philanthropic EIOH alumnus gifts $100,000 as a tribute to beloved parents

In a significant development, Dr. Murray Rosenthal, a distinguished alum of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH), has donated $100,000 to his alma mater. This generous contribution will be used for the expansion of the General Dentistry clinic, which will be named the Rosenthal Corridor.

Dr. Rosenthal, a 1964 AEGD alum, has had an illustrious career in dentistry. After acing his dental boards in 1959, he enrolled at the Eastman Dental Center, following in the footsteps of his parents, G. George Rosenthal and Violet Ruth Bloom, who completed their programs at the Center in the 1930s and 1935 respectively. His grandfather, brother, and Aunt Rose also graduated from the same institution.

Dr. Rosenthal's career began in 1971 when he earned a certificate in periodontics from Columbia University. He then completed fellowships in community medicine and computer application in medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1977. In the same year, he opened a part-time periodontal practice in Manhattan, which continues today.

For the next decade, Dr. Rosenthal served as a dental director for three clinics, during which he worked to update them and started programs to reach underserved neighborhoods using portable dental units and increasing the number of children on Medicaid to receive orthodontic care.

In 1987, Dr. Rosenthal was appointed director of the Bureau of Dental Health Services in the NYC Department of Health. His tenure was marked by the development of several systems for assessing quality of care and administering dental clinics.

Dr. Rosenthal's work has had a lasting impact on the field of dentistry. His book, "Dr. Rosenthal's Toolkit," and a book he co-authored, A Comprehensive Quality Assurance System for Practicing Dentists, are both widely used today.

Dr. Eli Eliav, director and professor at EIOH, expressed gratitude for Dr. Rosenthal's donation. He stated that the donation will allow residents to receive training in a state-of-the-art clinic with the latest technology. Dr. Hans Malmstrom, professor and chair at EIOH, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of the Rosenthal Corridor in providing top-notch dental education.

Dr. Rosenthal's mother, Violet Ruth Bloom, was also actively involved with Eastman's SMILEmobiles, underscoring the family's long-standing connection with the institution.

This donation is a testament to Dr. Rosenthal's commitment to dental education and his belief in the transformative power of quality dental care. The Rosenthal Corridor is set to open soon, marking a new era in dental education at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health.