On September 26, 2009, the SIU School of Dental Medicine hosted the Third Annual SIU SDM Alumni Homecoming. The 2009 Homecoming featured several new changes in format and was certainly well received by the alumni in attendance.
Homecoming 2009 was highlighted by the Alumni Homecoming Reception, held at Tony’s Restaurant in downtown Alton. The “Loft” on the second floor of the restaurant provided a wonderful venue which lent itself well to a pair of events within the main event.
In addition to the opportunity to connect with classmates and colleagues during the reception, Homecoming 2009 also included a Silent Auction and a Wall of Wines. The two events brought much fun and excitement to the Homecoming atmosphere.
The Silent Auction was headlined by three outstanding vacation properties, donated by generous SIU SDM alumni and friends—Drs. Kim and Cindy Littefield, Dr. Joe Renner, and Dr. and Mrs. Randall Markarian. In addition, Dr. and Mrs. John Markarian contributed a set of St. Louis Cardinals tickets, and Dr. and Mrs. Keith Dickey and Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Rotter each contributed a set of Fox Theater tickets. Opportunities to be treated to exceptional home dining experiences were offered by Drs. Ann Boyle and Ken Seckler and Dr. and Mrs. Keith Dickey. Rounding out the Silent Auction, the SIU SDM Alumni Council sponsored an assortment of St. Louis Cardinals collector’s items.
The SIU SDM Wall of Wines was modeled after an event that the Illinois State Dental Society has held at its annual meeting in recent years. The Wall of Wines, in short, is a wine rack that is filled with a collection of brown paper bags. Enclosed in each mysterious brown paper bag is a “mystery” bottle of wine.
Each “mystery” bottle of wine was valued at a minimum of $15 and, hidden among the large selection of brown bags, were several bottles valued at more than $100 and at least one bottle valued at approximately $200. Participants donated $20 for each chance to pull one of the “high-valued” wines from the Wall of Wines.
All the bottles of wine were donated by SIU SDM Alumni Council members. Thank you to our Wall of Wines Donors: Drs. Darren Altadonna, Darryll Beard, Tom and Meg Bircher, Elizabeth Clary, Keith Dickey, Rhonda Green, Randy Parmlee, Kathie Renner, Tyson Tinsley, Lori Trost, Michael Watkins, and Scott Wolter.
All of the proceeds from the Silent Auction and the Wall of Wines will be used to support the activities and interests promoted by the SIU SDM Alumni Association. The two events raised several thousand dollars to support the start-up organization, now in its second full year of operations.
Also, during the day, Dentsply International co-sponsored two CE opportunities. Dr. Jeff T. Blank led the two lectures—one on the “Basic Principles of Adhesion” and the other on “Direct Posterior Composites.” The CE programs were free for alumni and were well attended.
Thank you to all the alumni, faculty and friends who helped to make the 2009 Homecoming special.
Photo Caption 1: Dr. Scott Wolter (Class of 1990) prepares to take home his prize from the silent auction--a framed photo of Stan "The Man" Musial
Photo Caption 2: Mrs. Beverly Hofer, spouse of Dr. John Hofer (Class of 1986), poses with the grand prize from the Wall of Wines
Photo Caption 3: Mrs. Becky Klein, spouse of Dr. Rusty Klein (Class of 1979), carefully makes her selection from the Wall of Wines
Photo Caption 4: Alumni Council Hall of Fame Volunteers--Elizabeth Clary (Class of 2005), Michael Watkins (Class of 1984), John Rottschalk (Class of 1999), Brad Buckingham (Student Council President), Dean Drake (Class of 1975), Meg Bircher (Class of 1991), Randy Parmlee (Class of 1990) and Keith Dickey (Director of Alumni Services)
Homecoming 2009 Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
White Coat Ceremony Celebrates the Class of 2013
The Class of 2013 was formally welcomed into the profession of dentistry on September 26, 2009, as the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine celebrated our Annual White Coat Ceremony. Each year, the White Coat Ceremony serves to emphasize to the entering class the unique ethical responsibilities of health care professionals.
During the ceremony, each student signed the Professional Oath, and collectively the Class of 2013 recited the Oath. The Oath begins with a promise to observe the code of ethics for the profession of dentistry, and in signing and reciting the oath, each student professes a commitment to “honesty and integrity at all times and in all places.”
Mr. Robert Rechner, Executive Director of the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS), provided the keynote address for the ceremony. Mr. Rechner has served organized dentistry for 38 years.
Mr. Rechner became the Executive Director of the Illinois State Dental Society in 1979. For the past 30 years, Mr. Rechner has worked with the elected leadership of the Illinois State Dental Society, developing budgets and overseeing the welfare of the Society’s programs and services. He has been an official spokesperson for the Illinois State Dental Society, representing the Society and its policies to numerous organizational stakeholders.
Prior to his service as the Executive Director of ISDS, Mr. Rechner was employed by the American Dental Association for eight years. During his distinguished career, Mr. Rechner has been named an Honorary Fellow of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists and an Honorary Member of the American Dental Association and the Illinois State Dental Society.
At the conclusion of Mr. Rechner’s remarks, each student of the Class of 2013 was called to the stage individually and presented with a White Coat, a time-honored symbol of the health profession. The presentation of the white coats was facilitated by Dr. Allen Otsuka, the faculty student adviser for the Class of 2013.
Following recent tradition, two alumni and faculty members of the SIU School of Dental Medicine—Drs. John Caldieraro (Class of 2008) and Kathy Shafer (Class of 1988)—helped the students don their coats. Once all the students were assembled on the stage, Dr. Ann Boyle, Dean of the SIU dental school, collectively led the Class of 2013 in the recitation of the Professional Oath.
Mr. Brad Buckingham, a Year III student and President of the Student Body, offered closing remarks. Following the ceremony, family and friends in attendance were invited to the SIU School of Dental Medicine, Alton Campus, for lunch and campus tours.
The White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2013 was made possible by the following sponsors: the Central Illinois Academy of General Dentistry, the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation, the Illinois Section of the American College of Dentists, and the Eighth District of the International College of Dentists. The SIU School of Dental Medicine genuinely appreciates the support of each of these sponsors.
Photo Caption 1: Mr. Rechner offers the keynote address for the White Coat Ceremony
Photo Caption 2: Members of the Class of 2013 recite the Professional Oath
Photo Caption 3: The Class of 2013
Photo Caption 4: The Class of 2013
Photo Caption 5: Ms. Jennifer Atunzu signs the Professional Oath
White Coat Ceremony 2009 Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
SIU SDM Hosts Alumni Reception at the Mid-Continent Dental Congress
In September, the SIU School of Dental Medicine hosted an Alumni Reception at the Greater St. Louis Dental Society’s Mid-Continent Dental Congress. The event was well-attended by alumni, faculty and guests. The reception was held at the Saint Charles Convention Center, the site of the Mid-Continent Dental Congress.
Photo Caption 1: Members of the Class of 2006—Drs. Jamie Paul, Jocelyn Freeman and Youngchoon Hahm—enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect
Photo Caption 2: Dr. Sarah Barrow of the Class of 2009 and Dr. William Seaton, Clinical Associate Professor at the SIU dental school and Vice President of the Greater St. Louis Dental Society
Alumni Reception at the Mid-Continent Dental Congress Photos: 1 | 2
SIU SDM Receives $4.1 Million for New Sim Lab
On July 13, 2009, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law bills that create the $31 billion “Illinois Jobs Now!” plan—a major infrastructure plan intended to revive the ailing economy, as well as create and retain jobs, in the State of Illinois. Among the numerous projects included in the plan, the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine will receive $4.1 million for a new laboratory.
This new facility will house a new Multidisciplinary Dental Simulation Laboratory (Sim Lab), which will serve as the primary site of instruction for approximately 100 Year I and Year II predoctoral dental students. Dr. Ann Boyle, Dean of the SIU School of Dental Medicine, called the project critical to the successful delivery of the dental education curriculum to the students.
“As we continue to strive for excellence in dental education, the existing preclinical laboratory hinders our ability to best deliver the curriculum to our dental students,” said Dr. Boyle. “The new preclinical laboratory promises the dental students a more authentic simulation of patient treatment experiences, as they practice their dental techniques and spatial skills on mannequins.”
The existing preclinical laboratory, known on campus as the Multidisciplinary Lab (MDL), is where our dental students learn all the applicable techniques that they will use when they begin to provide actual patient care during Year III and Year IV of their dental education. Only after our students have mastered all the required techniques at a level consistent with patient safety are they allowed to progress and become care providers in our patient clinic.
Unfortunately, the existing preclinical laboratory, housed in a facility built during World War II as an army barracks, has significant structural problems and is not large not enough to accommodate the new technology presently used in dental schools throughout the country for student preclinical instruction. Most notably, the Sim Lab will offer the dental school the opportunity to provide our dental students with patient simulation units.
“The Sim Lab will offer our students a more relevant clinical preparatory experience,” said Dr. Boyle. “In turn, as these students progress to the clinic environment, they will be able to more rapidly transfer their skills to providing treatment for their real patients.”
Dr. Boyle also suggested that private support would be essential to optimize the funding provided by the State.
“Thanks to financial support from many generous donors, we were able to do much more with the expansion and renovation of the Main Clinic than we had anticipated at the outset of that project,” said Dr. Boyle. “In the same manner, we are hopeful that support from our alumni, faculty and friends will allow us to do much more with the development of the new Multidisciplinary Dental Simulation Laboratory.
The new Sim Lab will also effectively serve as a “smart classroom,” offering each student a workstation with a flat panel monitor for display of information from the instructor. A final determination has yet to be made for the use of the space presently occupied by the MDL, but the existing facility may house student study space, faculty and support offices, and/or a conference room, among other possibilities.
On Saturday, June 6, 2009, the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Dental Medicine was proud to confer degrees to forty-four dental students. Among their academic accomplishments, the Class of 2009 earned a 100 percent pass rate on their first attempt on both Part I and Part II of the National Board Dental Examination.
Among the members of the Class of 2009, 13 graduates earned individual academic honors. Drs. Jacklyn Ackman, Brock Droll, and Kathryn Kosten earned Summa Cum Laude, graduating “with highest honors” by attaining a grade point average of 3.9 or higher. Drs. Jodi Hentscher-Johnson and Agnieszka Osika-Wozny earned Magna Cum Laude, graduating “with high honors” by attaining a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.9. Eight additional students earned Cum Laude, graduating “with honors” by attaining a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.74.
One of the special traditions of the annual Commencement Ceremony occurs when a direct relative of one of the graduates is a School of Dental Medicine alumnus or alumna. Six graduates had the distinct honor of being hooded during the ceremony by a parent, sibling or spouse.
Dr. Laura Elliff was hooded by her husband, Dr. Andrew Elliff (Class of 2007). Dr. Lacey Fecht was hooded by her sister, Dr. Lindsey Fecht-Moore (Class of 2003). Dr. Lauren Labuwi was hooded by her father, Dr. Robin Labuwi (Class of 1977). Dr. Peggy McGinnis was hooded by her sister, Dr. Katherine McGinnis Flatley (Class of 2003). Dr. Beau Moody was hooded by his sister, Dr. Erin Moody Aleman (Class of 2007). Dr. Michael Rozny was hooded by his brother, Dr. Matthew Rozny (Class of 2006).
The Key Note Speaker at Commencement was Dean Patrick J. Ferrillo, Jr. of the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Dr. Ferrillo, a person familiar to most of the faculty and staff present at the ceremony, served as Acting Dean and then Dean of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine for 16 years.
Dr. Ferrillo, who joined the SIU dental school faculty in 1978, earned a bachelor of science in biology at Georgetown University, and a doctor of dental science and a certificate in endodontics at Baylor College of Dentistry. He also has taught at Baylor and at Saint Louis University. In 2002, Dr. Ferrillo was named Dean of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He left UNLV to accept the position of Dean of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific in 2006.
An active member of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), Dr. Ferrillo served in various positions including ADEA president in 1999, as well as chair of the ADEA Council of Deans in 1994. In 2000, he chaired the ADEA President’s Task Force on the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health.
Dr. Ferrillo has also been engaged in numerous international activities, serving as the ADEA representative on the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Dental Education Association (IFDEA) and currently serving a two-year term as President of IFDEA. In addition, Dr. Ferrillo was an active participant in the European project, DentEd, DentEd II and DentEdvolved. He continues to be active in international dental education.
Dr. Ferrillo is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Active in the American Dental Association, Dr. Ferrillo has served on the Commission on Dental Accreditation, Council on Dental Education and the Council on Dental Therapeutics. In addition, Dr. Ferrillo has served on numerous foundations including the National Foundation for Dentistry for the Handicapped, as well as Oral Health America/America’s Fund for Dental Health. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Oral Health America from 2003 to 2005.
Commencement 2009 was held in the Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIU Edwardsville’s Morris University Center (MUC). A reception for students, faculty and family members was held immediately following the Commencement Ceremony in the Goshen Lounge, also in the MUC.
Photo Caption 1: The Class of 2009
Photo Caption 2: Dr. Beata Dederowski, hooded by Dr. Paul Ferguson, Provost and Vice Chancellor of SIU Edwardsville, and Dr. Jessica Hinz, Chair of the School of Dental Medicine Faculty Assembly
Photo Caption 3: Dr. Patrick J. Ferrillo, Jr., Dean of the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Photo Caption 4: Drs. Lauren LaBuwi, Yvondia Scott, Kathryn Cabay and Melinda Hochgesang
Commencement 2009 Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Senior Farewell Evening Celebrates the Class of 2009
Each year, the Senior Farewell Evening offers the administration and faculty of the SIU dental school the opportunity to bid farewell to the graduating class. On May 15, the SIU School of Dental Medicine celebrated the Class of 2009. The students, faculty and guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner reception and celebrated achievement and excellence in dental education.
The Awards Program, always the highlight of the Senior Farewell Evening, honored 23 individual dental students, who collectively earned 37 distinctive awards. Each award serves to recognize outstanding achievement in specific areas of the dental school curriculum. Among the students who distinguished themselves during the evening, three students—Joseph Cutrona, Kathryn Kosten, and Jonathan Wong—were each honored on four occasions.
Joseph Cutrona was recognized for excellence in restorative dentistry, earning the James R. Schmidt Restorative Award and the Quintessence Award in Restorative Dentistry. He was also honored with the American Association of Orthodontists Award and the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Implant Award.
Kathryn Kosten and Jonathan Wong shared the Delta Dental Plan of Illinois Award presented to two seniors who have excelled on Part II of the National Board Dental Examinations and who will remain in Illinois in a private general dentistry practice. Ms. Pamela Woolsey, representing Delta Dental Plan of Illinois, presented the Delta Dental Plan of Illinois award.
Ms. Kosten also earned the Walter E. Dundon Memorial Award from the Odontographic Society of Chicago, presented to one senior dental student demonstrating leadership and outstanding clinical ability. She also earned the American Association of Women Dentists Award and the American Academy of Periodontology Award.
Mr. Wong was also honored with awards from the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and the American Academy of Oral Medicine. He also earned the Academy of General Dentistry Award, recognizing a senior dental student who exhibits potential for becoming an outstanding general dentist.
The SIU dental school was honored that Dr. Peter Paulson, Vice Regent for the Eighth District of the International College of Dentists and an alumnus of the Class of 1978, was able to attend. Dr. Paulson presented the International College of Dentists Award.
The Senior Farewell Evening was held at the Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. Dr. Robert Froemling hosted the Presentation of Awards.
Photo Caption: Jonathan Wong and Kathryn Kosten were presented with the Delta Dental of Illinois Award by Pamela Woolsey.
2009 Senior Farewell Evening Photo: 1
Somewhat Soggy, but Certainly Successful!
For the third consecutive year, the golf tournament was hampered by rain. Nonetheless, over 130 golfers made the most of the weather and enjoyed a round of golf in support of a very worthwhile cause. Sponsors and participants of the 14th Annual Mac McKenzie Prophy Cup Challenge Golf Tournament contributed over $46,000 to support the SIU dental school. The School of Dental Medicine is sincerely grateful to all those who helped make the golf tournament such a great success!
|
A special thanks to our tournament sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
|
All contributions to the golf tournament this year will again support the Mac McKenzie Prophy Cup Challenge Faculty Recruitment and Retention Endowment and Development Funds. These funds remain critical to the success of our immediate and enduring goals for faculty recruitment and retention at the SIU dental school.
A strong faculty is at the core of the School’s ability to educate the best practitioners of general dentistry in the country. To ensure students reach their full potential and are best prepared for careers in dental medicine, the School must find innovative ways to attract and retain faculty members with the latest knowledge and skills, as well as a passion, to motivate and engage students.
More specifically, the generosity of the golf tournament’s sponsors and players will allow the School of Dental Medicine to supplement salaries, as well as provide assistance for development and research, for our faculty. Contributions to the golf tournament will also genuinely help the SIU dental school pursue faculty members of the highest caliber who will add to the growing reputation and impact of the School. Ultimately, the golf tournament proceeds will help the SIU dental school ensure that our tradition of excellence in dental education continues for many years to come.
Earning the prestigious Prophy Cup this year was a well-assembled crew, hailing from the greater Bloomington, Illinois area. The winning team included Kevin Littlefield (Class of 1976); Chris Loudermilk (Class of 1999); Tom Ocheltree (Class of 1999); and Joel Lovell (Year I Student), a late, but officially sanctioned addition to the foursome. Congratulations to the 2009 tournament champions.
Thank you to all of the sponsors and participants of the 14th Annual Mac McKenzie Prophy Cup Challenge and thank you for your support of the SIU School of Dental Medicine.
Photo Caption: 2009 Golf Tournament Champions: Drs. Chris Loudermilk, Joel Lovell, Tom Ocheltree and Kevin Littlefield
2009 Golf Tournament Photo: 1
2009 Research Day and Table Clinic Competition
On April 14, the SIU School of Dental Medicine hosted its annual Research Day on the Alton Campus. Research Day traditionally features the Student Table Clinic Competition and a nationally, often internationally, renowned Guest Speaker. The 2009 SIU SDM Research Day followed tradition in fine form.
Eleven students competed in the Table Clinic Competition this year. Congratulations to all the students who presented. Kudos to Renee Doyle (Year III), who earned First Place Overall and won the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation Award for Best Clinical Research.
Ms. Doyle’s table clinic research was entitled, “Self-adhesive Cements in Orthodontic Bonding.” Her faculty sponsors were Drs. Gregory Stewart and Charles Thornton.
In addition to a recognition plaque and monetary award, Ms. Doyle will represent the SIU dental school at the ADA/Dentsply Student Clinician Program at the ADA Annual Session, which will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii this year. Ms. Doyle will also present her table clinic at the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) and Chicago Dental Society (CDS) meetings.
Ms. Sarah Ade (Year III) earned second place overall for her table clinic research entitled, “Bonding of Self-Etching Cements to Dentin.” As second place overall winner, Ms. Ade will also attend the CDS meeting. Additionally, she will present her table clinic at the Hinman Student Research Symposium in Memphis, TN.
Ms. Nicole Grawey (Year II) earned third place overall for her table clinic research entitled, “Influence of Pretreatment Procedural and Coping Information on Post Treatment Pain Assessment.” As third place overall winner, Ms. Grawey will join Ms. Doyle and Ms. Ade at the CDS Midwinter Meeting in February 2010.
In addition to the Clinical Research Award earned by Ms. Doyle, the ISDS Foundation also presented awards for Best Basic Science Research and Best Literature Review/Dental Education. Mr. Eric Haas (Year II) earned the Basic Science Award and Ms. Krista Weimerskirch (Year I) and Janet Sutter (Year I) jointly earned the Literature Review/Dental Education Award.
The judges of the Table Clinic Competition deserve our special thanks. Judges from the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation included Drs. Sue Bishop, LuAnne McClean, Larry Tschopp and Darryll Beard. From the SIU School of Dental Medicine faculty, Drs. Sue Rieken and William Whitson served as judges.
The SIU dental school was honored to host George T. J. Huang, D.D.S., M.S.D., D.Sc., Associate Professor and Director of the Division of Endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, as the guest speaker at our 2009 Research Day. Dr. Huang received his D.D.S. from Taipei University in 1983. He then attended Boston University where he earned a Certificate in Endodontics in 1988, M. ScD. in Endodontics in 1989, and a Doctor of Science in Oral Biology in 1992.
Dr. Huang is a leading researcher in what he has described as “a new era in the future of endodontics – the regeneration of endodontic tissues with modern tissue engineering technologies.” Prior to his appointment at Columbia, Dr. Huang was a faculty member and Director of Endodontics first at UCLA and then the University of Maryland College of Dental Surgery. He was a Research Scholar in the NIH/NIDCR Intramural Branches of Oral Infection and Immunity and Cartilage Biology and Orthopedics. He has published over ninety research papers, abstracts and book chapters, and he has presented over seventy guest lectures in his area of expertise.
Dr. Huang is the recipient of numerous research grants including three from the NIDCR. He currently holds a grant for 1.6 million dollars to study stem cell based therapies for endodontics. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory/Editorial Board for the Journal of Endodontics and the Open Dentistry Journal. He is an Ad Hoc reviewer for numerous journals, including Oral Diseases and OOOE. He has been honored with many awards during his career, including the 1994 National Research Service Award from the NIH/NIDDK.
Dr. Huang shared two presentations with the SDM community. In the morning, he offered a presentation entitled, “Stem Cell Based Therapy for Dental Tissue Regeneration.” In the afternoon, he offered a second presentation entitled, “Stem Cells and Their Clinical Applications.”
Photo Caption 1: Ms. Renee Doyle—First Place Overall Winner and the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation Clinical Research Award Winner.
Photo Caption 2: Dr. Ann Boyle, Dean of the SIU School of Dental Medicine with the 2009 SIU SDM Research Day Guest Speaker, Dr. George T. J. Huang.
2009 Research Day and Table Clinic Competition Photos: 1 | 2
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation Pledges $500,000 Grant to Expand Oral Surgery Clinic at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine
Grant for Oral Surgery Clinic will help enhance student dental education and improve patient care
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, has pledged $500,000 to Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Dental Medicine to help the School double the capacity of its Oral Surgery Clinic in Alton, Illinois.
The grant, distributed through annual $100,000 donations over five years, will provide resources to create two patient recovery areas, increase the waiting room capacity and create three additional oral surgery rooms, including a full oral surgery suite with conscious-sedation capability.
“Through this generous gift, we will be able to significantly enhance the dental education we provide our students and increase the care we provide our patients,” said SIU School of Dental Medicine Dean Ann Boyle.
Dr. Boyle noted that each day, at least 25 patients call the SIU School of Dental Medicine’s main patient clinic, requesting oral surgery services, and more than 50 additional patients call requesting emergency dental care. These requests are in addition to routinely scheduled surgical services provided for patients at the dental school.
“Due to our present physical limitations and the increased demand for emergency care, we have been unable to manage the volume of patients needing treatment in the Oral Surgery Clinic,” said Dr. Boyle. “We are grateful to the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation for providing the resources necessary to allow us to better serve our oral surgery patients.”
Part of Delta Dental of Illinois’ mission is to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. As such, through its Foundation, it supports organizations that help improve access to oral health and expand educational opportunities that lead to better oral health.
“The increasing demand for oral surgery services and emergency care clearly warrants expansion of the SIU School of Dental Medicine Oral Surgery Clinic,” said Dr. Robert E. Dennison, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Illinois. “Our grant will not only help the Oral Surgery Clinic to treat more patients, but also provide SIU dental students greater clinical education opportunities. We are proud to support SIU and its good work by doing what we can to advance this unique surgery clinic.”
“Access to oral health care and oral health education help improve overall oral health. The SIU School of Dental Medicine does important work on both fronts. Supporting the expansion of the Oral Surgery Clinic is a wonderful opportunity for Delta Dental of Illinois to help improve access to oral health programs in Illinois and provide better education for SIU dental students,” added Dr. Frank Maggio, D.D.S, a member of the Delta Dental of Illinois Board of Directors and a practicing periodontist in Elgin. “We’re delighted to support the school.”
The expansion will allow the school to treat approximately twice as many patients and offer additional oral surgery procedures. It will also increase accessibility between the oral surgery rooms allowing faculty to more comfortably supervise surgical procedures which will provide students with a broader range of clinical experiences.
The first annual $100,000 donation for the $500,000 grant was made in November 2008. In 2005, Delta Dental of Illinois provided SIU with a $250,000 grant to help the dental school expand its Main Clinic. The Main Clinic expansion included 24 new operatories and a new classroom.
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, formed in May 2008, is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, a not-for-profit dental service corporation with a mission to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation works to improve the oral health of people in Illinois by supporting organizations and programs that help raise awareness of oral health, make oral healthcare more accessible and affordable to underserved people in Illinois, and improve education for oral healthcare professionals.
2009 Midwinter Alumni Reception
The SIU School of Dental Medicine warmly received nearly 150 guests at the 2009 Midwinter Alumni Reception. In total, 28 of the 33 classes that have graduated from the SIU dental school were represented at the event. A few representatives from the Class of 2009 and the Class of 2010 were also in attendance.
Nonetheless, the Class of 2007 won the prize for school spirit, as twelve members of the class participated in the event. The Class of 1998, with nine alumni present, received an honorable mention.
This year, the event also saw some geographic diversity. Guests of the 2009 Midwinter Reception arrived from eight different states, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Texas and Utah.
The School of Dental Medicine Midwinter Alumni Reception is held each year on the Friday evening of the Midwinter Meeting, sponsored by the Chicago Dental Society. The School of Dental Medicine alumni reception is co-sponsored each year by the SIUE Alumni Association.
The 2010 Midwinter Alumni Reception will return to the Hotel InterContinental Chicago on Friday, February 26, 2010. We hope to see you there!
Photo Caption 1: The Class of 1998 was well represented at the 2009 Midwinter Alumni Reception. Nine individuals from the class were present at the event, earning an honorable mention for the school spirit prize this year.
Photo Caption 2: Drs. Larry Osborne (Class of 1982), Terry Barnfield (Class of 1986) and Darryll Beard (Class of 1983) enjoyed the opportunity to network at the annual reception. All three alumni hold leadership positions within the Illinois State Dental Society. Dr. Osborne serves as the President Elect; Dr. Barnfield serves as a Trustee for the Southern District; and Dr. Beard serves as the Vice President.
Photo Caption 3: Drs. Casie Burk Jones, Lora Selle and Jill Brandt were among 12 alumni from the Class of 2007 who attended the Midwinter Reception this year. The Class of 2007 won the prize for school spirit this year.
2009 Midwinter Alumni Reception Photos: 1 | 2 | 3
National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) turned 60 this year. Each February, since 1949, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored NCDHM to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. While the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) is considerably younger (35 in 2010) than NCDHM, the level of community outreach during the month of February at the SIU dental school might suggest otherwise.
SIU dental students helped spread the message of oral health to approximately 1,900 area children this February. Through oral health and nutrition education programs led by the dental students, area children learned about the importance of oral health and how it impacts overall health, the value of good nutrition, the importance of regular visits to the dentist and best practices for good oral home care.
SIU dental students visited 11 area schools during the month of February. In total, 33 of our Year III and Year IV dental students provided programs for over 1,400 children in classrooms and at school health fairs. Typically, students will spend approximately two hours at each school and provide several, half-hour educational programs for the children.
In the meantime, 37 Year III and Year IV dental students provided more comprehensive sessions on the Alton Campus. Four area schools participated and 21 sessions were provided, including three classes of Kindergarten children, 15 classes of First Grade children, and three classes of Second Grade children. A total of 445 children attended our sessions and over 300 children received oral health screenings in addition to oral health education.
While February is certainly a busy month, the SIU SDM Community Dentistry program operates year-round. By way of an example, the program already has 14 schools scheduled for a visit from our dental students during the month of March. Further, the Community Dentistry program is also active with adults, providing parent education classes and oral cancer screenings throughout the year.
Ultimately, the program provides educational programs, oral cancer screenings, preventive care and/or dental treatment for over 10,000 men, women, and children annually. Kudos to Dr. Jain, the Director of the Community Dentistry program, as well as to all the dental students who served the community through the program.
Photo Caption 1: Students from South Roxana Elementary School patiently and apprehensively wait to receive an oral health screening.
Photo Caption 2: Year IV dental student Blake Westra provides the best of care during an oral health screening.
NCDHM Photos: 1 | 2
Dr. Otsuka Earns Faculty Advisor Award
Dr. Allen Otsuka, Associate Professor and Section Head of Biochemistry in the Department of Applied Dental Medicine at the SIU School of Dental Medicine, recently earned the 2008 Burton C. Borgelt/SCADA Faculty Advisor Award. Dr.Otsuka was selected by the Board of Governors of the International Association of Student Clinicians-American Dental Association (SCADA) as only one of two recipients in the nation to earn the prestigious faculty advisor award. The award was presented by Dr. Rada Sumareva, SCADA’s President, during the DENTSPLY Student Clinician Research Program Awards Ceremony at the 149th American Dental Association Meeting on October 18, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Allen Otsuka has served as a Faculty Advisor at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine for the past 22 years. During this time, he has sponsored and been the research mentor for over 35 dental students as Summer Research Fellows in his laboratory. In addition to mentoring the students in the laboratory, he has helped the students prepare their summer research applications and table clinics for both local and national presentation. Dr. Otsuka epitomizes the ideal qualities of a Faculty Advisor.
“Dr. Otsuka has dedicated a large segment of his own research career to inspiring and mentoring student research,” said M. Jane Gillespie, Ph. D., Director of Research and Professor and Section Head of Microbiology at the SIU School of Dental Medicine. “It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I nominated him for this award.”
Congratulations to Dr. Allen Otsuka.
Photo Caption: Dr. Rada Sumareva presents Dr. Allen Otsuka with the 2008 Burton C. Borgelt / SCADA Faculty Advisor Award.
Dr. Otsuka Photo: 1
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Sim Scholarship Recipients Recognized
Congratulations to Ms. Karen Anderson, Ms. Nicole Grawey and Ms. Anna Trzcinska, who were recently recognized as the 2009 Dr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Sim Scholarship Recipients. The Sim Scholarship recognizes high academic achievement among dental students in Years I, II and III at the SIU School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Joseph Sim, a former faculty member of the SIU dental school, had established a tradition of awarding the annual scholarship before he passed away in December, 2002. Each year, Mrs. Pat Sim continues this tradition by generously recommitting to the scholarship program for SIU dental school students.
On April 7, Mrs. Pat Sim hosted an informal lunch reception to personally acknowledge the scholarship recipients. At the reception, Mrs. Sim narrated a presentation about many of the interesting aspects of Dr. Sim’s life, including but certainly not limited to dentistry. Also this year, Mrs. Sim shared a poem about Dr. Sim, written by her son Murray. Mrs. Sim noted that Dr. Sim often wrote poetry during his life, and she often encourages the scholarship recipients to endeavor to lead well-rounded lives, as Dr. Sim did.
Photo Caption: Anna Trzcinska, Nicole Grawey, Pat Sim and Karen Anderson
Sim Scholarship Recipient Photo: 1
