Endodontics news from Dr. Clara Spatafore June 2019
Dr. Clara Spatafore, department chair
It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again. The pre-doc students have just finished the semester and the 4th year dental students are heading out to residencies, private practice, and various other career choices. Graduation was held on Friday, May 10, and everything went according to plan. We graduated a combined total of over 110 new dentists and dental hygienists. Our residents are done at the end of June but they have a full slate of activities before then. Read about their experiences in news updates from Dr. Garry Myers, our graduate program director, and Dr. Adam Sarnowski, chief resident.
It was great seeing everyone at the AAE meeting in Montreal. VCU had several new diplomates pinned at the Grossman’s ceremony:
- Husain Karashi,
- Charlie Beavers,
- Katie Lee,
- Nick Schroeder,
- Dr. Sarah Martinelli
It was a wonderful occasion.
Our annual Legacy Day Continuing Education lecture was held at the end of April with exactly 100 participants in attendance. Dr. Keith Krell, president of American Association of Endodontists was one of the speakers along with Dr. Marco Martignoni an endodontist who practices in Rome, Italy. It was so nice seeing everyone and the program went great. Next year’s program is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2020. Dr. Alan Gluskin, who will be AAE president at that time, is confirmed as one of the speakers. Be sure to mark your calendars and try to attend the program. It is wonderful having everyone back at the school, catching up and hearing what everyone is doing these days.
We are planning a VCU Alumni Event in Nashville on Thursday, April 2, 2020, during the AAE annual meeting. The meeting is early this year, so be sure and take a look at the schedule and mark your calendars so you can attend. The program looks great at this point and I know everyone wants to come to Nashville to check out the beautiful city, hear the great music and attend a wonderful educational program.
Plans are moving forward for the school’s new dental clinics to be housed in the VCU Health Adult Outpatient Facility now under construction across the street from the current dental school on 11th and Leigh Streets. The dean and his crew have been working on designs, equipment, and clinic space needs as well as technology and radiographic issues. It is a full-scale undertaking and will be in progress for the next year or so. VCU’s master plan includes redeveloping the MCV Campus and that involves replacing the Wood and Lyons buildings at some point. As of now, the pre-doc and graduate endodontic practices will be housed in the new outpatient facility. Stay up to date by visiting the dean’s YouTube channel.
As always, life moves at a hectic pace here at the school. We have new faculty in oral pathology and radiology and some returning faculty to the endodontics department. We’re glad they’re here and you’ll enjoy getting to know them.
We continue to strive for excellence in the Department of Endodontics; the pre-doc curriculum is reviewed, revised and updated continually, as we work to keep up with current trends in our specialty. The graduate endodontics program achieves greater heights each year and we are proud of our current and past residents. The endodontic faculty works tirelessly on behalf of the students, residents and the dental school. We are lucky to have the support of the administration and grateful for a strong alumni backing. Many thanks to the part time faculty who give their time in the clinics each month. They are a huge help and the residents enjoy working with them, as do the pre-doc students.
Thanks to each of you who donate to the Molar Fund, the Hartwell Fund or the Dodds Endowment.
During the 2019 Legacy Day event we were able to raise $13,000 to honor our graduate program director’s stint as an officer with the American Association of Endodontists. We still need your support to endow the Hartwell Fund. If you have not pledged or donated, please do so.
It is always great to hear from alumni. If you are in the Richmond area, please stop by and say hello. If you have any feedback or questions, please drop me an email or give me a call. We appreciate all that you have done for the residents, the program and the VCU School of Dentistry and hope that we can continue to count on your support.
Categories Endodontics