#  R Bruce Donoff 

Dean, Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Walter C Guralnick Distinguished Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, HSDM

 

 

 



   ![Bruce Donoff is holding up a carved tree of peace sculpture on a black stand. He is wearing a black blazer, light blue shirt, and red patterned tie.](/sites/g/files/omnuum11411/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2026-05/30.R-Bruce-Donoff-Questions.jpg?h=236f9ba9&itok=BWcjh3R1) 

 



 





 

**What inspires or motivate you in your role at HMS/HSDM?**  
The chance to be involved with young men and women who choose to provide the best in health care whether general or oral health is the number one motivation. It provides opportunities to meet first year students in Patient Doctor l and explain how doctor patient relationships are the cornerstone of good healthcare. It allows my experience in patient care and academics to impart learning scenarios that hopefully inspire students throughout their professional education.

**In what ways do you contribute to the Harvard Community?**  
I consider my experiences both at the School of Dental Medicine and the Medical School permit me to provide a unique link between medicine and dentistry. I take every opportunity to extol the virtues of our system of combined education during the first two years and how it really differentiates our DMD students from other dental graduates. The philosophy that dentistry is a branch of medicine is unique to Harvard and must be championed.

**What is the significance of the object you are holding?**  
The tree of peace sculpture represents the bridges to peace initiative originally fostered by the faculties of the Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and Alquds University Dental School. It represents optimism supported by the Alpha Omega Fraternity. It encourages the pursuit of peace through its commitment to the power of individuals pledged to it. The sculpture sit side the school of dental medicine between the original and new buildings.



 

 

 



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- ## Institution
    
     [Harvard School of Dental Medicine](/institution/harvard-school-dental-medicine)