Remembering FAU Trustee Dr. Jeffrey Feingold

Today we learned the sad news that former trustee Jeffrey Feingold, D.D.S., passed away. Dr. Feingold joined the Board of Trustees in 2010 and served until 2021. He was succeeded by his wife, Barbara.

Dr. Feingold’s leadership helped propel Florida Atlantic University to new heights. During his time on the board, FAU celebrated many landmark moments, including the launch of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the University being named the top-performing public institution in the state by the Florida Board of Governors, the opening of the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence, and recognition on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best schools in the nation.

Dr. Feingold was founder, president and chief executive officer of Fort Lauderdale-based MCNA Dental, one of the largest providers of Medicaid, CHIP, and commercial dental insurance in the United States. He also founded the Dentaland Organization in 1975, which was one of the first private practices in Florida to include multiple comprehensive dental health care facilities.

Not only was Dr. Feingold a business leader, but he also gave generously to his community through philanthropy and civic service. In 2014, the Feingolds made a significant gift to FAU to name the Dr. Jeffrey P. & Barbara S. Feingold Board of Trustees Room in the Kenneth R. Williams Administration Building.

In 2019, I had the pleasure of traveling to Israel with Dr. Feingold as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ business development mission. His faith was very important to him, and that same year, the Dr. Jeffrey P. & Barbara S. Feingold Family Synagogue was dedicated on the Mishmar HaNegev Army Base in The Negev, Israel. It is used by soldiers on a daily basis, as well as Shabbat and the holidays.

I’d like to extend my most sincere condolences to Barbara, their three children and seven grandchildren. I know the university community joins them in mourning his loss.