Steve Perlman PEDO 76 Wins Holyoke Award
On Thursday, November 14, 2013, Steven P. Perlman PEDO 76, Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, became the first dentist to receive the E. Augustus Holyoke, MD, Award in its 20-year history. Each year, the North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) chooses a peer-nominated winner from its many exceptional healthcare professionals. Dr. Perlman received the Holyoke Award for his dedication to improving the lives of children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. President of NSMC Medical Staff Dr. Michael Goldstein presented the Holyoke Award to Dr. Perlman at a ceremony held at the Kernwood Country Club in Salem, Massachusetts.
The Holyoke Award commemorates the life of the 18th century Salem physician, Dr. E. Augustus Holyoke, who worked tirelessly for his community, regularly making more than 11 house calls a day and as many as 100 per day during one epidemic.
Dr. Perlman extends Dr. Holyoke’s thread of diligence in his work for the community. His achievements in advancing outstanding healthcare for people with disabilities are great. He is Global Clinical Director of Dentistry for Special Olympics and is responsible for initiating health into the Special Olympics movement in 1993. He is a fellow of the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Special Care Dentistry. Dr. Perlman is co-founder and President of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD).
Perlman is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2013 Allen Crocker, MD Health Services Award (the first dentist to receive this); the 2002 Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation Dentist of the Year award; and the Lifetime Global Leadership Award in promoting human dignity in 2009 (also honored were Nelson Mandela and Arnold Schwarzenegger).
In accepting the award, Dr. Perlman said, “I may have not changed the world, but for some people I changed their day, I changed their pain, changed their appearance and changed their belief that finding someone who cared enough to try was not impossible. He continued, “I hope I’ve changed the minds of young health professional students and beyond all I hope I changed the minds of parents and care givers who gave up hoping for a change. I am of course humbled, and flattered, to be the recipient of the 20th Annual Dr. E. Augustus Holyoke Memorial Award.”
Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “Congratulations to Dr. Perlman on receiving this prestigious award.” He continued, “I, along with the entire Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine community, am proud to see one of our own recognized not only within the dental profession but as an outstanding individual amongst all health care professionals.”