VCU news

By Vincent Simone

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry honored more than 200 educators, researchers and students Monday at its second annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony.

David C. Sarrett, D.M.D., dean of the VCU School of Dentistry, began the event by describing it as an important goal of his since being appointed dean in 2010.

“I’m really delighted that we’ve now come to the second time that we’re going to conduct this ceremony to highlight the accomplishments of students and faculty members who’ve gone the extra mile in their work,” Sarrett said. “Faculty members who have taken the extra time and effort to make an impact on the lives of their students; students who have taken on leadership roles in school organizations and community service projects while continuing to excel academically … I for one am very proud of everybody in this room, and it’s a delight for me to work with you each and every day of my life.”

Sarrett first presented the Dean’s Faculty Excellence Awards, designed to honor those faculty members who demonstrate the highest level of performance and excellence in the pursuit of the School of Dentistry’s goals and the fulfillment of its mission. These recognitions are based on nominations submitted by the School of Dentistry community and then reviewed and selected by a three-member faculty committee—two elected and one appointed by the dean.

This year’s recipients are Michael V. Dishman, D.D.S. (excellence in didactic teaching); John W. Unger, D.D.S. (excellence in clinical teaching); Todd Kitten, Ph.D. (excellence in research); Charles Janus, D.D.S., M.S., M.S. (excellence in educational innovation); and Barry L. Green, D.M.D. (excellence in part-time faculty).

Conferred for the first time this year, the Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award in Scholarship of Engagement and Collaboration is a capstone recognition that will be awarded every three years. This year’s recipient is Harvey A. Schenkein, D.D.S., Ph.D., Paul Tucker Goad Professor in the Department of Periodontics, where he serves as chair. Schenkein is also assistant dean for research and the director of the Clinical Research Center for Periodontal Disease.

The Presidential Medallion is awarded for extraordinary achievement in learning and commitment to the mission of VCU. James H. Revere, D.D.S., was one of three recipients of this award during the Opening Faculty Address and Convocation in August. Sarrett recognized this honor as “one of the highest distinctions that can be awarded to a member of the faculty.

“Dr. Revere has held virtually every position you can imagine in the dental school over the years, a real athlete, so to speak,” he said.

Elizabeth J. Berry, D.D.S., assistant professor in the Department ofPediatric Dentistry and chair of the faculty for the VCU School of Dentistry, presented several other faculty awards and recognized a wide variety of faculty accomplishments, including promotions, degrees, board certifications, elections, inductions and appointments.

Omar Abubaker, D.M.D., Ph.D., professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, received special recognition for three distinctions: being appointed the S. Elmer Bear Endowed Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; receiving the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for Advanced Education Programs; and being recognized as a VCU Medical Center Physician Champion.

Michael Healy, D.D.S., M.Ed., senior associate dean for student services and institutional effectiveness, announced students’ endowed scholarships, general scholarships and awards from professional organizations.

“An endowed, or named, scholarship,” Healy explained, “is the result of a gift that is given with great care and thought. These gifts are often made in honor or memory of a loved one … At times, such gifts are the product of an entire class of students getting together at a reunion and giving a gift so that a need can be fulfilled. Other scholarships are from donors who, every year, contribute to the annual fund for scholarships. These nameless donors help to lessen your burden.”

Healy urged the 79 students receiving endowed scholarships to “read about these donors and think about the person or group who gave you a gift. A note of thanks is always a welcome gesture.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors, an additional 172 students were awarded general scholarships, more than double the total last year.

Six students also received awards from as many dental organizations.

Healy ended the ceremony by honoring Thomas Forgeng, D.D.S., “a warm and compassionate longtime faculty member” who died Sept. 1. Forgeng had been selected by students as one of four professors of the year in 2013-2014.

For the full list of awardees, visit http://news.vcu.edu/pdfs/2014AwardsCeremonyProgram.pdf.

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