The Combined Oral Surgery-MD Program: The Harvard Plan. J Oral Surg. 1973 Apr; 31(4):271–6. PMID: 4510650

Dr. Walter Guralnick played a significant role in the evolution of the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the United States: he was a surgeon, researcher, academic, and leader. However, perhaps his greatest accomplishment was development of the dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS)-MD program. Within this program, an OMS resident would receive the required oral and maxillofacial surgery and anesthesia training, as well as general surgery training and most importantly the opportunity to complete medical school. Obtaining the doctor of medicine degree by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon ensured that the specialty would maintain an equal footing among other surgical specialties. This was perhaps Guralnick’s most important legacy.