What is a changemaker?

This episode highlights the beginning of Jack's career as a changemaker. We dive into his leadership as a student activist in the 1970s. He and his best friend, Dr. Jon Nash, dragged the NYU dental school kicking and screaming into the culture wars. Along the way, they helped found the American Student Dental Association and the anti-war protest group Health Professions for Peace. Their work helped to reshape the dental profession and give dental students more input into their dental education.

Episode notes:

American Student Dental Association: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Student_Dental_Association

https://www.asdanet.org/

Hard Hat Riot: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hard-hat-riot-1970-pitted-construction-workers-against-anti-war-protestors-180974831/

Kent State Shootings: https://www.library.kent.edu/special-collections-and-archives/mission-betrayed-richard-nixon-and-scranton-commission-inquiry

Chicago Seven: https://www.britannica.com/event/Chicago-Seven-law-case

How did Jack from Queens become Dr. Jack Dillenberg, public health leader, educator, and mentor? This is his origin story.

Jack Dillenberg was born on Thanksgiving Day, 1945, in Harlem, New York. This episode covers his early life, from his birth to graduating from Tulane University in 1967. Learn more about Jack's family dynamic, his spiritual and educational training, and other events and influences that shaped his life.

Who is Dr. Jack Dillenberg? And why are we doing this podcast about him? 

If you were a kid in the early 90s, especially if you grew up in Arizona, you might remember a series of public service announcements/television ads with the slogan, “Tobacco: The Tumor-Causing, Teeth-Staining, Smelly, Puking Habit.”

That slogan came from the mind of  Dr. Jack Dillenberg, who was the Director of the Arizona Department of Health at the time. The slogan inspired an award-winning public health campaign that became a national sensation. And it actually achieved the goal of preventing youth tobacco use.

It’s just one example of the many ways that “Dr. Jack” has impacted global public health--maybe even yours.

You Don’t Know Jack!

But you should. And that's why we are launching this podcast!