James Lipton
Board Member
Dr. James Lipton is a 1971 graduate of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM). He subsequently received the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in Sociomedical Sciences, with a concentration in Sociology and Sociodental Science, from the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Lipton spent thirty years as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS). His PHS assignments included
- Coordinating the National Health Service Corps in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Identified residential areas having a shortage of various types of health care providers (health manpower shortage areas)
- Developed community health centers in health manpower shortage areas
- Recruited and placed health care providers from such professions as dentistry, medicine, nursing, nurse practitioners, nutrition, pharmacy, physician assistants, and social work
- Evaluated the quality of health care delivered and performance of care providers
- Functioning as Chief Dental Officer for the Division of Primary Health Care in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Developed and coordinated oral health care service policies for all public health community programs supported by the DHHS
- Holding various leadership positions in research, program management, and administration at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, where he worked for over twenty years
- Directed the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Communication
- Created a program in oral molecular epidemiology
- Directed the NIDCR extramural research training and career development programs for U.S. dental and medical schools
- Created and implemented several award programs for dental students pursuing the Ph.D. and junior faculty members starting their career
- Serving as Senior Advisor to the U.S. PHS Chief Dental Officer
- Assisted in developing, implementing and evaluating national oral health care activities throughout the U.S. Public Health Service programs within the DHHS
- Including the Bureau of Prisons, Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Bureau of Health Care Delivery and Assistance
- Assisted in coordinating federal oral health care programs with representatives from all branches of the U.S. military
Over his career, Dr. Lipton authored over fifty research articles, abstracts and book chapters; received numerous awards from the U.S. PHS; and was elected to fellowship in the American College of Dentists.
Currently he is:
- a member of the Board of Advisors to the Dean, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (past fifteen years)
- an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Department of Preventive & Restorative Sciences, Division of Restorative Dentistry (past eight years)
- coordinator (as a volunteer) of the Access2College program at Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, MD
- created the program in 2006
- mentors approximately forty students each year, mostly immigrants living in single guardian families, who are first generation applicants to U.S. four-year colleges to
- identify most appropriate institutions
- prepare and submit applications
- complete federal, state and institutional financial aid documentation
- over the past fourteen years, has assisted over four hundred students, all of whom have received acceptance to at least one four-year college
- provides assistance to prepare students for the transition from high school to college, and from adolescence to emerging adulthood
- for his volunteer activities related to the Access2College program, received two awards for distinguished service to public education in Montgomery County, Maryland
- supporting several philanthropic activities
- Funds a Summer Collaborative Research Fellowship for three students from the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM) and Columbia University School of Social Work
- To investigate biopsychosociocultural aspects of the clinician-patient relationship in the CDM student clinic
- Funded for five years, between June and August each year
- Governing Member Gold Level, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), Rockville, MD
- Donations support various music programs for underprivileged public school students in Montgomery County, MD
- Member of BSO Governing Board Executive Committee
- Music Center at Strathmore
- Gold level donor to support various initiatives that bring music activities to needy public school students in Montgomery County, MD
- Innovation Circle member, National Phil Orchestra
- Supports the Youth Mentorship Programs organized by the National Phil.
