Supporting our Asian community at the VCU School of Dentistry
Over the six weeks that I have been your interim dean, I feel we have made great strides in moving our school’s culture to one of positivity and hope. But it saddens me personally that, as a country, we do not seem to recognize the richness and value that our diverse culture brings to our […]
2020 – Year End Review
While there are those who may wish 2020 were already over, I have to admit that I am not one of them. I can’t remember a time in my professional life when I’ve been more proud. Never before have we come together to meet such a crisis head on. To solve a problem. To boldly […]
DEI committee report
From Dr. Carlos Smith, our director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), comes the following update highlighting his and his committee’s important work to shape institutional leadership surrounding diversity, cultural sensitivity, and health inequities. I applaud Dr. Smith’s leadership and vision as well as his committee’s commitment to address changes needed in our school and […]
The Significance of June 19
As our nation must eliminate racial injustice and health inequity, there is no better time to look within ourselves, to pause and to learn about this important day in history. Our students say it best. I am privileged to share their voice. _____________________________________________________________________________ Today is Juneteenth! It is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, […]
A Moment of Silence
With each passing day, we learn more about the experiences of our African American students and colleagues at the hands of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and, yes, even within the VCU School of Dentistry. Both in and out of the dental school many are met with disrespect, prejudice, and injustice — particularly our […]
Fall happenings
Welcome Mary Pettiette, D.D.S., associate dean for admissions I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Pettiette, D.D.S., as associate dean for admissions and professor of endodontics. She will begin her duties in November. I want to thank the search committee, chaired by Clara Spatafore, D.D.S., M.S., for its diligent and thorough work in conducting a […]
Summer updates
New dental clinics VCU Health’s new adult outpatient facility is coming out of the ground and floorplans for our dental clinics have been approved. Now comes the fun part where spaces become “reality” through the developmental design phase. All of our clinics with the exception of pediatric dentistry will occupy the eighth and ninth floors […]
Farewell to Jim Burns
With much appreciation for his robust 47-year career in oral health and with my personal thanks for his friendship and guidance along the way, I am honored to pay tribute to Jim Burns. While we already miss him here at school, I have no doubt that he and his family – wife Karen and four […]
March Madness Update
VCU may not have made it to the Final Four this time around, but there’s plenty to celebrate here at the School of Dentistry on the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. ADEA GIES AWARD I had the privilege of accepting a 2018 Gies Award presented at the ADEA Annual Session and Exhibition in […]