Dr. Manuel Album (PDM Faculty, 1960)
A pioneer in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Abum dedicated his career to advancing oral health care for children with special needs. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Air Force before becoming Chief of Dental Services at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). In 1960, he founded a groundbreaking clinic for individuals with disabilities at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (PDM). That same year, he launched the nation’s first postgraduate dental program specifically designed to train students in the care of patients with disabilities—setting a national precedent in inclusive health education.
Image source: Penn Dental Medicine's Pennomenal: Founders & Firsts Book
"Dr. Album founded the 'first postgraduate dental program in the United States to train students to care for the disabled.'"
- The Philadelphia Inquirer, in their 2008 obituary for Dr. Album
