SDDSNY Bulletin January February 2021

Remembering Dr. Vito A. Cardo, Jr. by Donna Fassman, D.D.S. A leader in hospital-based dentistry in New York City, Dr. Vito A. Cardo, Jr., passed away onNov. 16, 2020 at the age of 80. Dr. Cardo, Jr. had an admirable 50-year career with a national reputation as a mas- ter clinician and teacher of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Born and raised in the Bronx, Dr. Cardo, Jr. attended Manhattan College and graduated as valedicto- rian from Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He embarked on a long career as an oral andmax- illofacial surgeon through three hospital systems: CatholicMedical Center of Brooklyn & Queens, St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn &Queens and Brook- dale University Hospital Medical Center. A well-known forensic odontologist, he served as chair of dental medicine and oral andmaxil- lofacial surgery at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center of Brook- lyn & Queens Hospital. At Brook- dale University Hospital and Medical Center (Brookdale Hospi- tal), Dr. Cardo, Jr. served as the chair of dental medicine and oral andmaxillofacial surgery, as well as the director of the oral and maxil- lofacial surgery residency program where, under his leadership, Brook- dale expanded the clinic and department to serve the needs of the community. Dr. Cardo, Jr. also held numer- ous leadership roles throughout the three hospital systems. He was most proud of his continued commit- ment to his alma mater, George- town University School of Dentistry, where he maintained a board position on the dental school alumni board. In 2017, he received the university’s prestigious School of Dentistry Alumni &FacultyDis- tinguished Service Award.Many of his friends, family, and colleagues knew that Dr. Cardo, Jr. always hoped that the dental school would one day re-open. Over the course of his expansive career, Dr. Cardo, Jr. taught hun- dreds of residents. His former resi- dents and colleagues speak of his generosity, kindness, patience, loy- alty, and perseverance. He had this unusual ability to see the true potential and goodness in a person where often others did not. I, and many others, will forever be grateful for the career opportunities he bestowed upon us. I am extremely fortunate to have beenmentored by him for over 30 years; we certainly traveled the long andwinding road together.When I accepted the posi- tion of general practice residency (GPR) program director at Brook- dale Hospital, we interviewed can- didates where he would ask his favorite question: "So, tell me about yourself since the day you were born and do not leave out any details."We would often interview 50–75 candidates a year and he would pose the same question to all. The answers were either long and drawn out or quite short with no substance. As I observed him listen- ing intently, I would always know whom he favored. Dr. Cardo, Jr. passed away while we were in the interview cycle for the upcoming 2020–21 GPR program. As we move forward with great difficulty, we will strive to begin every inter- viewwith the very same question in his memory. Dr. Cardo, Jr. was also a true patriot. He was humbled by the dedication of themany servicemen and servicewomen in our armed forces who risk their lives every day for our freedom. Determined to honor our veterans, as not all veter- ans are eligible for dental care at the VA Hospitals, Dr. Cardo, Jr. spear- headed our free dental care Veter- an’s Day Program with the New York State Dental Association at Brookdale Hospital on Nov. 16, 2018. This was one of many won- derful career accomplishments under his direction. It is no secret by those who knew Dr. Cardo, Jr. that he was a fierce New York Yankees fan. Residents from Boston would often feel the heat from him during baseball season. Upon his recent retirement from his Garden City, New York private practice, Dr. Cardo, Jr. graciously donated significant surgical instru- ments and equipment from his practice to the oral and maxillofa- cial residency program. Dr. Cardo, Jr. is survived by his adoring wife of 53 years, Alice Cardo, seven children, and 18 lov- ing grandchildren. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and Popa. His grandchildren pro- vided him with pure joy. This past July, he sent me a video clip of him sitting with one of his handsome, sweet grandsons smiling in his bright red Fiat Spider. He wrote, “So this may be the reason I may never come back.” I was flattered that he wanted to share this price- less moment with me. The follow- ing week Dr. Cardo, Jr. did in fact return to his post to do what he always did best which was to lead, teach and mentor during this extremely challenging and unprec- edented time. This gentle, caring man will be missed dearly by so many. I want to thank Dr. Cardo Jr.’s family and Dr. David J. Miller, chairman of the department of den- tal medicine at One Brooklyn Health System, for providing Dr. Cardo Jr.’s extensive background for this piece. Donations in memory of Dr. Cardo, Jr. may be made to the Franciscan Bread for the Poor at stfrancisbreadline.org . Dr. Donna Fassman serves as assistant general practice residency program director in the department of dental medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery at Brookdale University Hospi- tal and Medical Center. SDDS Bulletin Goes Bimonthly by Stuart Segelnick D.D.S., M.S., SDDS Bulletin Editor On the recommendation of the Second District Dental Society (SDDS) Publications Committee, along with the approval of the SDDS Board of Trustees, the SDDS Bulletin will now be pub- lished bimonthly. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the in-person Greater New York Dental meeting and other income generating sources, the SDDS Board, in its fiduciary responsibility to the SDDS membership, decided to reduce the number of Bulletin issues published annually from ten issues to six. The SDDS Bul- letin in 2021 will be published in the months of January/February, March/April, May/June, July/ August, September/October and November/December. I am pleased to announce the SDDS Bulletin has partnered with a new company, LLM Publica- tions, to produce and distribute our bulletin. LLM Publications, which was founded in 1989, pub- lishes over 110 publications annu- ally and has experience with other dental bulletins. SDDS will continue to keep members informed on a timelier basis of events and urgent news affecting our practices via the SDDS website ( www.sddsny.org) and regular email blasts. 8 SDDS BULLETIN January/February 2021 — VOLUME 38 ◊ NUMBER 1