The University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation (UMBF) recognized its Distinguished Service Award recipient and the UMB Catalyst for Excellence Award winners during its “Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Service, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism” event in May at the M&T Bank Exchange.
Barry L. Cohan is joined by (from left) UMB President Bruce Jarrell and UMSOD Dean Mark Reynolds after receiving the Catalyst for Excellence award.
UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, presided over the event, telling the 170 attendees that the funds provided through philanthropy help sustain the University and advance its mission to improve the human condition and serve the public good.
“Your support of UMB is a long-term commitment — as alumni, as faculty, as friends. All of you are people who believe in the University and our mission. And I thank you for that."
UMBF Board of Trustees chair Harry C. Knipp, MD, FACR, presented Henry Y. Lee, DDS ’79, an alumnus of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), with the Distinguished Service Award, which annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of a volunteer who has substantially contributed to enhancing and sustaining UMB.
Henry Lee (second from left) is joined by (from left) UMSOD Dean Mark Reynolds, UMB Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Harry Knipp, and UMB President Bruce Jarrell after receiving the Distinguished Service Award.
Lee has been an active donor and volunteer with UMSOD for more than three decades and in 2017 launched the Dr. Henry Lee Scholarship, which provides financial support for UMSOD students who intend to pursue a career in general dentistry. Lee also sits on the school’s Board of Visitors and serves on the UMSOD Dean’s Faculty, a group of volunteer practitioners who guide and mentor students through their clinical education and provide quality care to patients in the school’s clinics.
"I'm deeply humbled to receive this award. It represents not just my own efforts, but the unwavering support and guidance of mentors and friends who saw the potential in a young boy who did not speak English upon entry to school and never imagined going to college,” Lee said. “From them, I learned the invaluable rewards of mentoring and guiding the next generation. This award is a testament to their belief in me, and I am forever grateful.”
In addition, Mark A. Reynolds, DDS ’86, PhD, MA, UMSOD dean, recognized Barry L. Cohan, DDS ’74, ’76, who is one among the 2024 recipients of the UMB Catalyst for Excellence Award, which recognizes those who exemplify powerful advocacy for success, achievement, and philanthropy for their respective schools while serving as visionaries for future progress.
“Dr. Cohan's journey is one of unwavering commitment to dentistry and community betterment,” Reynolds said.
Cohan, whose name is recognized in the Dr. Barry and Mrs. Adele Cohan Pediatric Dental Clinic, dedicated over 40 years to dental practice and community service. He served as president of the UMSOD Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a current member of the UMSOD Board of Visitors.
“It was truly an honor to be recognized for my efforts to help the School of Dentistry and the University of Maryland,” Cohan said. “Giving back to our profession and school is very important to me. We all have a responsibility to support the next generation of clinicians so that our profession will continue to grow and maintain a level of excellence.”
- Bethany Probst contributed to the article.