Michael C. Alfano

Dr. Michael C. Alfano, D.M.D., Ph.D., of Loveladies, New Jersey, formerly of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey and New York City, passed away at home surrounded by his beloved family on July 28, 2025, after courageously battling pancreatic cancer for a remarkable three years. He was 77 years old.

Mike was the eldest son of Michael and Anne Alfano of Union, New Jersey, and the devoted brother of Donna, Mark, Denise, and Anne. He was the loving husband of JoAnn, his high school sweetheart, for 56 wonderful years. Together they raised two children: Michael and his wife Suzanne of Dorset, Vermont, and Kristin of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. He was the cherished grandfather of Will, Michael, Chris, Ryan, Avery, and Tommy, who brought him immense joy and pride.  He always lit up whenever one of his grandchildren walked into the room.

A Transformational Leader in Dental Education and Healthcare

Mike's professional legacy spans decades of groundbreaking work in dental education, healthcare innovation, and academic leadership. A standout student, he was admitted to dental school after completing only two years of biology studies at Rutgers University, where he also played basketball. After earning his D.M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1971, he pursued advanced training at the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine in periodontics (1971-1973) and completed his Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry and Oral Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1971-1974). He received his certificate in periodontics from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1976.

His career began at Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry, where he became the youngest tenured professor on campus, serving as Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Affairs and Research and Chairman of Oral Biology, while founding the Oral Health Research Center. He also maintained a periodontal practice and provided consulting services during his eight years there.

In 1982, Mike joined Block Drug Company, where he rose to Senior Vice President for Research and Technology and served on the Board of Directors. There, he led a team that developed the first new chemical entity for oral care since fluoride and created breakthrough products that established the company as a global leader in dental care.

In 1998, Mike returned to academia as Dean of NYU’s College of Dentistry, where he transformed the institution into a world-renowned center for dental education and research. Under his visionary leadership, admissions became highly competitive, research flourished, 100 new faculty members were hired and the college pioneered innovative models for healthcare education. He expanded dental care for underserved New Yorkers, led unprecedented fundraising efforts, and fostered global partnerships that elevated NYU Dentistry's international reputation.

A champion of interprofessional education, Mike orchestrated the groundbreaking integration of NYU's Division of Nursing into the College of Dentistry in 2005, creating a unique college-within-a-college model. This innovative approach placed NYU at the forefront of interdisciplinary healthcare education and research, particularly in exploring the connections between oral health and general health.

Mike was appointed as Executive Vice President of NYU in 2006. In this role, he oversaw budget and finance operations, human resources, and real estate development, completing over $2 billion in construction projects and implementing efficiency programs that saved the university more than $70 million annually.

After retiring from NYU in 2014, Mike continued his service to the profession as a board member of Dentsply Sirona, Inc. until 2021 and remained active with the Santa Fe Group until 2024. He also consulted for educational institutions and non-profits on finance, budget, and clinical operations.

A Visionary Who Shaped the Future of Healthcare

Mike was a founding member of the Santa Fe Group, Friends of NIDCR, and Nexus Magazine. The Santa Fe Group is an action-oriented think tank with a passion to improve lives through oral health that fosters policy and initiates actions to improve the health and well-being of the public by bringing together healthcare leaders from across sectors. As the last surviving founder of the Santa Fe Group, Mike helped shape national discussions around oral health policy and interprofessional education. His work bridged the gaps between academia, government, and industry, always with the goal of improving public health outcomes. Throughout his career and especially in his later years, Mike was passionate about expanding access to dental care, working tirelessly with the Santa Fe Group and consumer advocacy organizations to create and expand dental benefits within Medicare.  This was a cause that remained central to his mission until the end of his life, and which could ultimately save Medicare billions of dollars more than it would cost, because of the close relationship between oral health and general health.

A prolific scholar and writer, he authored or co-authored over 100 articles and was named as one of the inventors on seven patents. His research focused on periodontal disease, nutrition in oral health, and innovative approaches to dental education. He served on numerous prestigious committees, including the National Advisory Dental Research Council of the NIH.

Among his many honors were the inaugural William J. Gies Award for Vision in Dental Education from the ADEAGies Foundation (2008), the Jack Hein Public Service Award from the American Association for Dental Research, the Edward Shils Award from the American Dental Association Foundation, the Tribute Award from Oral Health America (2016), the Achievement Medal from Alpha Omega International (2016), and the Leadership Award from the Shils Foundation (2021). He was granted Honorary Membership in the American Association of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research in 2023. He received Distinguished Alumnus Awards from the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Rutgers University. He also served as a director of Delta Dental of New York Insurance Company and the YMCA of Greater New York.

A Life Rich in Family and Simple Pleasures

Beyond his professional achievements, Mike was most of all a devoted family man who treasured time with his family, especially his grandchildren, during summers at their beloved home in Loveladies on the Jersey Shore. He was known for his meticulous gardening. A passionate Yankees fan, and sometime golf enthusiast, he also loved birdwatching.  In retirement, he found great joy working on his elaborate model train set.  A relentless student of current events and politics, Mike weighed every side of an issue, and carefully considered all the facts, before formulating an opinion.  He found deep satisfaction in life's simple pleasures and in watching his loved ones' happiness. 

A Legacy of Vision and Compassion

A former colleague captured Mike's essence perfectly: "He was a unique person who helped so many people, some whom he knew and many thousands more who benefitted from his great work... He never thought inside the box... He always connected dots that no one else could see and he acted with a fearlessness and grace, a very rare combination. He had the most finely tuned moral compass I have ever seen."

Mike approached his final battle with cancer with the same grace and courage that marked his entire life. His belief in science, community, and the power of ideas made him not just a leader who inspired, but one who helped transform the future of healthcare.

His extraordinary life of service, his distinct collegiality, and his profound impact on countless lives will endure in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.

The Alfano family will receive friends on Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 3:00 - 7:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ. A funeral mass will be held Monday, August 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Luke's RC Church, 340 Franklin Tpke, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family asks that you please consider making a donation to Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research or Autism Speaks, in memory of Mike.  Thank you.

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