Snapshots of alumni who shared their dental journeys with us in our cover feature, page 3.
Send address change to: Development & Alumni Relations
Boston University Henry M. Goldman
School of Dental Medicine
85 East Newton Street, 10th floor
Boston, MA 02118
smcnamee@bu.edu
A Message from the Dean
EACH OF US HAS A UNIQUE STORY TO TELL ABOUT THE PATH THAT LED US INTO DENTISTRY AND WHAT HAS KEPT OUR PASSION FOR THE PROFESSION ALIVE OVER THE COURSE OF OUR CAREERS.
But while our paths may be unique, we also have many things in common. We all, in our way, have blazed trails through this profession, whether by breaking through gender and racial barriers or by setting new standards of care for our patients. We celebrate the importance of giving back, volunteering our time at community events, traveling overseas for mission trips, inspiring children from underserved communities to consider dentistry as a profession and many other ways. And we appreciate the power of mentorship, supporting each other —and the next generation of oral healthcare professions —to continue to learn and grow.
I’m proud of the way GSDM nurtures our students and residents both individually and collectively. I believe that we have created and will continue to build upon —an environment that welcomes the myriad stories people bring to the table, while also building a sense of communal responsibility to this great profession, to each other, and to the patients we serve.
In this issue, you will learn the stories of some of our alumni, and the ways that they’ve blazed trails, given back, and supported each other. I hope you see yourself in these stories and that they inspire new passion for and commitment to our shared profession —and of course, we would love to hear more about your own story! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Stacey McNamee, director of alumni relations & annual giving, to share more about your work and to learn about how to get more involved with the GSDM community.
I look forward to seeing you at one of the alumni receptions we hold throughout the year —notably, Alumni Weekend on Friday, September 27, at The Newbury Boston! And if you find yourself in Boston, please come visit us.
Sincerely,
Cataldo W. Leone, DMD, DMedSc, FACD, FICD Dean and Spencer N. Frankl Professor in Dental Medicine
DIFFERENT GENERATIONS,
by RACHEL PHILIPSON
SAME PASSION
All oral healthcare professionals have their own “why”— the reason that drove them to pursue dentistry and fueled them throughout their career. But despite the uniqueness of every dental professional’s path, every dentist shares many things in common, most importantly a devotion to advancing the profession, each other, and their patients' health.
WE SPOKE TO NINE ALUMNI,
ranging from recent graduates to those who have retired from their dental careers, about their "whys" and how their distinct motivations played a driving force in their careers. Here’s what they had to say.
DEVOTED TO BLAZING TRAILS
DR. STEVE PERLMAN PEDO 76
Perlman has been a leading advocate globally for pediatric and adult patients with disabilities for more than five decades. He’s nowhere near stopping.
In 1993, Perlman received a call from a woman who was looking for dental care for her 73-year-old sister who had an intellectual disability. Her dental team wanted to edentulate her in Wisconsin. Perlman was able to do a complete oral rehabilitation and restore her entire dentition in Boston.
The woman who called was Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Shriver saw potential in Perlman’s dedication to patients with disabilities of all ages and proposed that he use the Special Olympics as a platform to provide healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities.
Later that year, Perlman orchestrated a partnership between GSDM and Special Olympics Massachusetts to offer dental screenings to participating athletes. In 36 hours, 750 athletes were screened and received access to the healthcare system. He went on to found Special Olympics Healthy Athletes and Special Smiles, serving as its senior global advisor for 30 years. Healthy Athletes has expanded to eight health disciplines, with more than 1,000 events in over 140 countries, making it the largest public health program in the world for patients with intellectual disabilities.
“It all started with BU,” Perlman said.
While Perlman has received many prestigious accomplishments throughout his career, he is
“ There was no transition from pediatrics to adult care and there still isn't. That's why I'm fighting.”
particularly proud of receiving the GSDM Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to the Community in 1993 and the Boston University Alumni Award for Service to the Community in 1995. However, what matters most is not the awards, but how he has increased awareness about the oral and overall healthcare needs of people with disabilities.
“When I was in school, the only dentists who took care of people with disabilities were pediatric dentists,” Perlman said. “There was no transition from pediatrics to adult care and there still isn't. That's why I'm fighting.”
LATE CAREER/RETIRED: 35+ YEARS POST GSDM COMMENCEMENT
DEVOTED TO BLAZING TRAILS
DR. SUSAN LEIKEN DPH 77
While at GSDM, Leiken studied different methods of healthcare delivery, preventive dentistry, and health education. Then, when she became director of the Dental Hygiene Program at Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in Ohio in 2008, she saw an opportunity to use the knowledge she learned at GSDM to improve the public health of her community through improving the educational experiences
populations. She said dental hygienists are a critical part of the dental team and play a significant role in contributing to improved patient outcomes.
dental health programs that connected dental hygiene students with teachers, public health administrators, and other community leaders to tailor dental public healthcare to underserved
“Students gained considerable experience working with professionals and had a network once they graduated, being able to go back to those people who they worked with,” she said. “It was a win-win for the populations in need and for the dental hygiene students.”
Leiken also supervised the LCCC Dental Hygiene Clinic in which dental patients received dental hygiene care at a fraction of the cost of a private practice.
“[The clinic] was a real eye-opener to the benefits that a dental hygiene program can provide to the community,” she said.
Leiken’s PhD research was a national study of dental hygiene student engagement and how it impacted student success. The results demonstrated that positive interactions with faculty and administration influenced strong GPA scores and improved student outcomes.
With the findings from her study and emerging medical research that links oral health and overall health, Leiken said she yearns for a future where more and more dental hygienists are properly supported throughout their educational journey.
“I think the whole healthcare system should look at a more interprofessional approach,” Leiken said. “Bringing all the disciplines together, meaning that you’re going to bring the dental health professionals, [including] hygienists, [into] the medical arena.”
DOROTHY TIBERII DMD 83
Nowadays, the percentage of female dentists is growing, especially with dental school enrollment at an approximately 50-50 gender split. That wasn’t always the case.
Before the 1970s, less than 4 percent of American dentists were women. The gender imbalance didn’t deter Tiberii from her dream of becoming a dentist. She started blazing trails for other women when she started at GSDM in 1979, as one of just 11 women in her 44-person class.
After graduating from GSDM, Tiberii gained valuable experience working in group practices in New England and Florida. When she opened her own practice, Sarasota Dental Arts in Sarasota, Florida, in 1995, her goal was to bring “high tech, high touch” care to her patients, meaning she wanted to combine the benefits of rapidly evolving technology while still providing personalized patient care.
Tiberii said she is proud of the fact that her practice was one of the first in Sarasota to incorporate digital X-ray technology. Tiberii’s wife, Marcia Foote, developed, built, and installed the original computer network used throughout the office. “As an independent practice owner, I feel lucky we had the chance to work together on this and other projects,” Tiberii said.
The oral healthcare field has changed dramatically since Tiberii entered dental school in 1979. The explosion of modern-day technology has completely changed how dental care is delivered, she noted.
“One of the great things about dentistry, for me, was the constant and rapid pace of change,”
Tiberri said. “I always felt excited to learn what was next, and I never had a boring day at the office.”
However, one of the bigger changes she is happy to see is that dentistry has become a more inclusive industry and continues to become a profession where everyone can find their place.
“ I don't see why those in dentistry shouldn't continue to have a great future.”
“Some people will pursue research, some people will work in clinical practice or teaching, and some people will focus on helping their communities. I don't see why those in dentistry shouldn't continue to have a great future,” she said.
MID-CAREER: 10-35
DEVOTED TO GIVING BACK
MARJAN RASHEDI DMD 07
At the start of her pediatric dental career, Rashedi was disconcerted to find that many of her colleagues faced logistical challenges in providing comprehensive care to pediatric patients with disabilities. She wanted to end this.
Rashedi has now opened two different practices — SmileBuilders Children's Dentistry, a pediatric dental office, and North County Dental Surgery Center, a Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery center providing pediatric dentistry under general anesthesia —both of which are focused on providing equitable care to all patients, regardless of any disabilities.
Between SmileBuilders Children's Dentistry and North County Dental Surgery Center, about 30 percent of Rashedi and her colleagues’ patients have some level of disability. If a patient has additional medical considerations that prevents them from being seen in an outpatient setting, Rashedi can treat them at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, where she recently took on the responsibility as section chief of the Dental/Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Department.
While Rashedi is proud that her practice treats pediatric patients with disabilities, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, she wishes there were more practices that would do the same.
“A lot of these parents are just desperate, and they’ve got 18, 19-year-olds,” she said. “I’ve had one parent who was looking for a dentist for their kid for five years and couldn’t find anyone that was willing to see them. It is a problem.”
“ It’s
important for young newly graduating dentists or residents to hear an honest experience and to be able to ask their questions and get honest answers.”
Going forward, Rashedi said she wants to mentor dental students, in the hopes that sharing her experiences both in working with pediatric patients with disabilities and in founding businesses will inspire the next generation of dentists to create new, innovative practices.
“My experience might be very different because of the patient population that I see, or the size of the practice that I own and manage, but the beginning wasn’t that different,” she said. “It’s important for young newly graduating dentists or residents to hear an honest experience and to be able to ask their questions and get honest answers.”
DEVOTED TO GIVING BACK
DR. SRINIVAS AYILAVARAPU ORAL BIOLOGY 08 PERIO 10
Digital dentistry has become indispensable, yet Ayilavarapu said nothing will replace a clinician's judgment and intuition.
Technological advancements in dentistry are leading to more efficient care and improved productivity. However, Ayilavarapu said dental professionals must know how to balance using digital tools with connecting to patients on a personal level.
“Adaptability is important, but also clinical skills are equally important,” he said. “Artificial intelligence and digital dentistry are not going to replace dentists yet.”
Ayilavarapu is a tenured professor and the program director for the Advanced Education Program in Periodontology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at the Houston School of Dentistry. In these roles, he educates dental students and residents on how to use Artificial Intelligence software to enhance their clinical skills
Before Ayilavarapu could teach digital dentistry, though, he first had to learn it, as many of these technologies did not exist when he was a resident. Ayilavarapu surprised himself at how easily he was able to adjust. There will always be more he can learn, he said.
“Surprisingly, all my current surgeries that I do are now digitally planned and done,” Ayilavarapu said. “[In my] administrative clinician role, I also needed to spend some time in training. I’m like a trial-and-error guy and I was able to figure out software, but it’s just still things like 3-D printing that is something that probably I need a little bit more time to spend to learn. “
It’s essential for dental educators to adapt how they teach to meet the needs of the current generation of students and to keep pace with the evolving industry, Ayilavarapu said. According to Ayilavarapu, young students are more acclimated to using technology, so it’s an interesting challenge for him and his dental colleagues to learn how to teach students who may be more used to technology than they are.
“Things are changing, so we as educators also have to change,” he said.
DOUGLAS SCHILDHAUS DMD 91
Dentistry is more than giving expectational care; It’s about being exceptionally caring, Schildhaus believes.
During his undergraduate years, Schildhaus was undecided about his future, considering both medical school or following in his father’s footsteps and starting graduate school for psychology. Both his mother and his college roommate, who was applying to dental schools himself at the time, encouraged him also to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). He found himself applying to dental schools, just to see what would happen.
When Schildhaus attended an in-person interview at GSDM, he fell in love, both with Boston University and with dentistry. The rest is history.
“Everything I have, I owe it to BU and to the world of dentistry,” he said.
After he graduating from GSDM with his DMD in 1991 and his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Pediatric Dentistry in 1993, Schildhaus went on to open a pediatric and orthodontic practice, Woodbury Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, in New York. The practice has been a success since its start and has been recognized as one of the premiere “Pedo Ortho” practices in Long Island.
Now that he has settled into his career, Schildhaus said he wants to help the dental field through charity and
community service. He said dentists of all generations need to remember the opportunities dentistry has given them and try to participate in philanthropy.
“As you get older in your career, it’s not about the money anymore,” Schildhaus said. “For me, it’s now about enjoying what I do, having fun, teaching, and giving back.”
“ You have to give back no matter what you do, life’s just too short not to.”
Schildhaus is involved with several charitable organizations and organized dental associations. He is a delegate with both the NYSDA and ADA and is currently serving as the 76th president of the Nassau County Dental Society. His charitable work includes serving as the chair of Give Kids a Smile, and leading global medical/dental missions with Flying Doctors of America.
“You have to give back no matter what you do, life’s just too short not to. You need to give back,” he said.
DEVOTED TO FINDING & BEING A GOOD MENTOR
CHRISTOPHER CASON DMD 17
When Cason’s family moved from the U.K. to Massachusetts in 2008, then 17-year-old Cason got a gig as a launch driver at a yacht club in Marblehead.
As it happened, multiple GSDM alums moored their boats in that harbor, including Dr. Roger Wise PERIO 73 ORTH0 77 —Cason’s soon-to-be first dental mentor.
One evening, after Cason dropped Wise back off at the dock, Wise asked to look at Cason’s teeth, noticing they weren’t quite straight. He offered rapid orthodontic treatment to fix them —pro bono. This was a pivotal moment for Cason, changing how he viewed dentistry both mentally and physically.
“He saw a problem, wanted to diagnose it, wanted to treat it, and he wanted to be a compassionate human being,” Cason said. “He was able to do that for me and it made a huge difference.”
He credits Wise and other GSDM alums from the yacht club for encouraging him to apply both to GSDM and to the Health Professions Scholarship Program, which is run by the U.S. Military and covered his dental educational expenses in return for military service.
“Because of mentorship and guidance from those with a lot more experience and a lot better social standing professionally at the time, [dentistry became] my calling,” Cason said.
Cason had to renounce his U.K. citizenship to become an officer in the U.S. military. While this may have
been a daunting decision for some, Cason said he was honored to make a commitment to his new home.
After graduating from GSDM, Cason completed an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency in San Antonio, Texas, in 2022. He has spent the last two years working as a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. Cason said he is forever thankful for the opportunities dentistry and the military have given him.
“I have a lot of gratitude for this country and the opportunities that it’s given me. That deep gratitude is never going to go away. I’m proud to wear this uniform
DEVOTED TO FINDING & BEING A GOOD MENTOR
ERIN HERSEY DMD 17
Throughout her journey to become the dental director at Dynamic Dental in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Hersey has had mentors every step of the way —but no one can beat her number one mentor: Her father.
Hersey’s father is a dentist himself, and she recounts being inspired by his work during her childhood. She originally planned to go to medical school, but that changed after she worked with her father following her undergraduate graduation. She said he showed her how dentistry cultivates meaningful relationships with patients and colleagues —something Hersey wanted in her career.
In her role at Dynamic Dental, Hersey said she has excellent professional mentors, from older colleagues to fellow providers with whom she can bounce ideas about cases back and forth on a week-to-week basis.
“When I [was] working with my dad chairside as an assistant, that’s when I really fell in love with dentistry,” Hersey said.
“I have some amazing mentors and I think that's a key element to young graduates being successful," she said.
As for the future of the profession, Hersey expects more change in the future of the dental field. However, she said dentists of all generations are, and will forever be, united by their desire to improve the lives of their patients.
"I feel super lucky to be able to say that I love my job and I feel fulfilled in this career," Hersey said.
With this shared passion, Hersey said she knows that she will continue to have mentors and peers who support her throughout her dental journey.
"No matter what technology or techniques you're using, we can all share stories and learning experiences about how to better understand and relate to our patients," she said.
MARISSA GENTLE CAMED 18 DMD 22
Starting a prosthodontic residency is not easy. But Gentle, who is a rising third-year prosthodontic resident at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said she managed to get her footing by building a community of mentors, ranging from faculty to co-residents.
“In this field, you [will] always have questions, no matter what you do, no matter how much education, no matter how many CEs,” said Gentle, who said she valued having mentors —both those with more experience and those the same age — off whom to bounce those questions. Before Gentle started at GSDM, she thought she wanted to be an orthodontist. During an externship at Boston Medical Center, she found her first mentor, Eyad Haidar DMD 95 PROS 97, GSDM clinical associate professor of general dentistry.
“He really changed the game for me of wanting to be a prosthodontist, so I have to give him credit where credit is due,” Gentle said.
At UNC-Chapel Hill, Gentle oversees predoctoral students and their patients. Gentle said it’s a great opportunity to step into the mentorship role herself.
“I remember being in dental school and being so upset when I would make a mistake,” she said. “You’re here to learn, you’re here to make mistakes and this is what we’re here to learn.”
Gentle has a lot on her plate at the moment, balancing the end of residency and planning her
wedding for May 2025. Despite the chaos, she is thrilled to be one step closer to her goal of making an impact in the prosthodontic community.
“Now that I’m entering into my third year, I definitely feel like I’ve accomplished something with this program and I feel like I can go into the workforce and be a voice for anyone coming from dental school into residency and prosthodontics in general,” she said.
Getting to Know Alumni Board President Hongsheng Liu
By Rachel Philipson
HONGSHENG LIU DMD 10 ENDO 12 BEGAN HIS COMMITMENT TO HIGH-QUALITY DENTAL EDUCATION AT BEIJING'S PEKING UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF STOMATOLOGY (PKU-SS). DURING HIS MASTER’S PROGRAM, HE STARTED TEACHING IN THE PKU-SS DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS.
When he got the chance in 2005 to work as a post-doctoral fellow in the GSDM Department of Oral Biology & Periodontology under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Van Dyke, he jumped at the life-changing opportunity.
The research work he was investigating under Dr. Van Dyke sparked an interest in endodontics, ultimately leading him to apply to GSDM’s DMD Advanced Standing program and later an endodontics residency at the school.
“[My] BU education gave me a much broader and detail-oriented education and skill, which makes me very competent to do what I'm doing right now and makes me feel quite satisfied,” Liu said.
Liu remains devoted to GSDM, where he now teaches once a week as a clinical associate professor of endodontics. When he isn’t teaching, he is working at a private endodontic practice.
Liu joined the GSDM Alumni Board in 2017, wanting to be a spokesperson for alumni from specialty programs. He hopes to continue his focus on ensuring all alumni have a place within the alumni community in his new role as Alumni Board president.
“I realized the board needs leadership in all different [backgrounds,]” Liu said. “I have a different perspective, so I want to see if my perspective can make some impact for the whole BU culture.”
Alumni Association Letter
Dear Fellow Alumni,
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine is the best thing that ever happened to me. My experience at the school —first as a visiting scholar, then as a DMD student, and finally an ENDO resident —taught me to be a confident and skillful clinician and taught me how to run a successful practice with my heart. And indeed, my professors inspired me to become a teacher myself, and I even purchased my endodontic practice from a fellow alumna!
My story is, of course, unique to me —but it is also one in which I’d imagine that many of you can see elements of your own story. In this issue’s cover story, we spoke to nine alumni —all at different points in their careers —about their own paths into dentistry and what motivates them to continue their devotion to our shared profession. My guess is that you will see many commonalities between your experience and those featured in our cover story and those areas of shared experience are what make our bond as GSDM alumni so powerful.
In Chinese, we have a saying, “A drop of water in need, shall be returned with a spring in deed.” That’s how I feel about GSDM. I am very appreciative of what it’s done for me and my career, and I want to pass on the same opportunities to the next generation. I hope that, by giving back to the school, I can help GSDM continue to strengthen its program and help more students succeed —especially those that come from underserved areas, as I did.
In closing, thank you again for allowing me to serve as your Alumni Association president. I look forward to working on behalf of you all over the next year. And please come visit us in Boston soon!
Sincerely, Hongsheng Liu DMD 10 ENDO 12
Alumni
Association President
YEARS OF PRACTICE
362 COMBINED
34 MOST 3 LEAST 14.48 AVERAGE
PRACTICE AREA
GENERAL DENTISTRY: 19
ENDODONTICS: 2
ORTHODONTICS: 1
PERIODONTICS: 1
PROSTHODONTICS: 1
DPH / GERIATRIC DENTISTRY: 1
ALUMNI BOARD LISTING
Hongsheng Liu DMD 10 ENDO 12
President
Frank Schiano CAS 01 DMD 06 AEGD 07 ORTHO 19
President-Elect
Dennis Jodoin DMD 95 PERIO 98
Secretary
Maryam Shomali CAS 87 ENDO 93
Immediate Past President
Chandan Advani DMD 04
Ashish Agarwal DMD 17
Stephanie Brooks DMD 18
Hesham Farag DMD 21
Zhiqiang Huang DMD 08
Ana Keohane DMD 16
Jasmine Khedkar DMD 17
Puneet Kochhar DMD 03
Mira Khouzam DMD 16
Sandip Ladani DMD 16
James Lee CAS 09 CAMED 10 DMD 14
Nikita Naumowicz DMD 21
GSDM / BU DEGREES
HOME STATE
Gary Nord DMD 10
Sepideh Novid DMD 04 AEGD 05
Khamir Patel DMD 14
Casey Pedro DMD 03
Jamily Pedro DMD 11
Snehal Pingle DMD 15
Kady Rawal AEGD 10 DPH 18
Jignesh Rudani DMD 17
Cameron Shahbazian DMD 14 Questrom 24
Tadeu Szpoganicz DMD 11
Naveen Verma DMD 04
2
Boston University Dental Career Network
CONNECTED!
STUDENTS
may use BUDCN as a job-board system and career resources tool customized for their needs. EMPLOYERS
can sign up as job seekers or employers for BUDCN.
can register to post positions and review applicant submissions for dentists and specialists. ALUMNI & FACULTY
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine now has an online job-board system: Boston University Dental Career Network (BUDCN). The system allows employers to post positions tailored to current students, residents, alumni, and faculty at GSDM. Access
Continuing Education
We offer multidisciplinary courses for dental health professionals on a range of cutting-edge topics, from robotics to Botox to laser dentistry—and more! You can choose whether you want a hands-on course, a live-patient demo, or a traditional lecture—and whichever you choose, you’ll be taught by a leading expert in the field.
1. Dean Cataldo Leone, Lea Hachem PERIO 15, and Kady Rawal AEGD 10 DPH 18
2. Dean Cataldo Leone and Austin Lee AEGD 16
3. Wallace Bellamy DMD 89 and Ethan Chase DMD 97
4. Joseph Calabrese DMD 91 AEGD 92 and Michele Calabrese SSW 93
9. Oleksandr Fedorenko DMD 20, Christian Ford CAMED 15 DMD 20, Dennis Dermody DMD 20, and Joseph Hannawi CAMED 15 DMD 20
10. Caroline Adams DMD 18 and Christopher Estrella and Mozzie the wonder dog
11. Dean Cataldo Leone, Rikita Jodhani DMD 24, Pranav Gupta DMD 24, and Joseph Calabrese DMD 91 AEGD 92
12. Over 500 GSDM alumni met up at the reception
Yankee Dental Congress
13. Alumni from near and far packed the ballroom
14. Alumni from the DMD classes of 2004 and 2007 tour GSDM
15. Alumni reuniting with Darlina Walker during a tour
16. Class of 2007 reunion: Vince Nguyen, Hong Ly, Susana Kulangara, Karn Dev, Joanna Ayala, Amy Mathew, Arash Molayem, Harris Prehogan, and Nguyet Tau
17. Stacey McNamee MET 98 greets alumni, students, and GSDM faculty and staff in the Alumni Booth
CONNECT, GIVE BACK, EXPAND
BY RACHEL PHILIPSON
>> BU Connects Recently Launched GSDM Sub-Group
BU Connects, the professional networking platform exclusively for Boston University alumni, students, faculty, and staff, is expanding. The recent addition of a GSDM sub-group has created a space where members of the GSDM community can re-connect with peers, develop mentor relationships, and share job opportunities.
Michael Ouellette, assistant director of alumni career programs for Boston University Development & Alumni Relations, said the GSDM sub-group acts as a “mini version” of BU Connects, giving the GSDM community a platform to communicate solely with each other. All members of the GSDM community who sign up for BU Connects will be automatically added to the new sub-group.
Users can use the platform to view and direct message other users without having to accept an invitation. Ouellette said this is a distinct advantage compared to other professional social media platforms. “It makes it a little bit easier to find the people who they're looking to network with or to create social ties,” Ouellette said.
Other benefits of the GSDM sub-group include a new discussion feed that allows users to ask questions and interact directly with other members of the GSDM community. For GSDM alums looking to hire fellow alums, there is job posting board to which only GSDM members have access.
BU Connects also serves as a hub for mentorship connections. Users who want to find or become a mentor can mark that on their profile. Either party can direct
message each other to start a dialogue that can has potential of turning into an official mentorship.
“One of the main things across the board that we hear from alumni is that they want to mentor, and they want to give back to students, but they don't always know how,” Ouellette said. “Anything that we, administrators and staff, can do to make that easy for them really benefits everyone because we know that they want to do it.”
GSDM alums were already looking for innovative ways to become mentors prior to the launch of BU Connects GSDM sub-group, according to Catie Dargue, GSDM assistant dean of development & alumni relations. Now that the GSDM space has been officially launched on BU Connects, Dargue is excited to see the new connections being formed between all members of the GSDM community.
“The more people participate, the better the system is,” Dargue said. “We encourage people to join and see what it can do for them.”
CLASS NOTES
JESSICA METCALFE DMD 15 was selected to receive a Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards by Women’s Executive Network and its partners. The award recognizes women who personify what it means to be powerful through the way they empower and champion others, influence change, and stand up for all of us.
Eight retired ENDO alumni recently met for lunch in Florida, renewing old friendships: DRS. HARVEY WIENER ENDO 69, BRUCE SEIDBERG ENDO 67, STEVE MORROW ENDO 71, TOM HANCOCK ENDO 71, JAY GREEN ENDO 71, BOB MULLANEY ENDO 69, UZI BLUMENKRANZ ENDO 78 AND RICK SILBERMAN ENDO 79. Drs. Seidberg and Mullaney are past presidents of the BU Endo Alumni Association.
KATHERINE MOYNIHAN CAS 14 DMD 18 ORTHO 21 received the prestigious Anthony A. Gianelly Award from the Massachusetts Association of Orthodontists at the Yankee Dental Orthodontic Symposium. This honor is given to an orthodontist who demonstrates "dedication to academic or clinical practice and contributing to the good and welfare of the orthodontic profession in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Top: Dr. Elon Joffre, president of the Mass Association of Orthodontics, and Katherine.
Bottom: Katherine with Dr. Leslie Will, chair of GSDM Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, and her father, Michael Moynihan DMD 96 ORTHO 99.
DR. BRUCE H. SEIDBERG ENDO 67 was presented with the first Life Time Service Award for leadership, dedication and service to the American College of Legal Medicine at their annual meeting in San Diego. Dr. Seidberg was the first dentist president and gold medalist of the prestigious legal medical organization comprised of dual degree physicians, dentists, and attorneys. The ACLM also named a lecture in his honor in the legal dental conference he founded in 2007. The dental conference is held annually within the ACLM annual session.
EMILY CHAN DMD 22 AND AUSTIN MICHELS DMD 22 were married March 23, 2024, in Wilmington, NC! Classmates in attendance were Emilie Sorel, Erin Kang, Christopher Rizkallah, Denise Yoon, Courtney Sepe, Ohio Ehimiaghe, Kirsten Miller, Benson Delos-Reyes, Trini Roxas, and Philip Washington III, all DMD 22. Chan and Michels met during their GSDM matriculation week.
JIGNESH RUDANI DMD 17 received a 10 Under 10 Award from the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA). This award recognizes 10 amazing dentists across the state of Pennsylvania who have made significant contribution to the dental profession, their community, and organized dentistry.
Six GSDM alumni were inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy at the ADA’s SmileCon in 2023.
• ARIFA BAKERYWALA DMD 18
• DR. MICHAEL BROWN DOWLING PEDO 11
• MCALLISTER CASTELEZ DMD 17
• SAM HALABO DMD 96
• LINDSEY JACKSON CAS 08 DMD 12
• GIGI MEINECKE DMD 88
DOUGLAS SCHILDHAUS DMD 91 PEDO 93 was sworn in as the 76th President of the Nassau County Dental Society in January 2024.
DENNIS JODOIN DMD 95 PERIO 98 was inducted into the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame on April 25, 2024, in recognition of his outstanding high school wrestling career. During his junior and senior years of high school, his combined record was 55-5 and he won two varsity state championships.
Two GSDM alumni were inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy during the dental honor society’s annual breakfast meeting at Yankee Dental in January 2024: MICHAEL MAYR CAMED 12 DMD 16 AND FRANK SCHIANO CAS 01 DMD 06 AEGD 07 ORTHO 19.
KADY RAWAL AEGD 10 DPH 18 won the ADA Science & Research Institute’s Evidence Based Dentistry Award, which was presented at ADA Annual Session in Orlando, Florida.
Five GSDM alumni and/or faculty received “10 under 10” awards from the Massachusetts Dental Society in January 2024: SONYA HASAN WHEELOCK 09 DMD 15; MOHAMMAD ABBAS KHAN DMD 17; MATTHEW MARA DMD 16 AEGD 17 WHEELOCK 19; DR. KELLY SAYRE (FACULTY); HITESH VIJ DMD 20; AND TRINH VO DMD 13. The awards, which were presented at Yankee Dental, recognize dentists who have graduated from dental school within the last 10 years and have made a significant contribution to the profession, their community, and/or organized dentistry.
Twenty-six GSDM alumni and/or faculty were inducted into the American College of Dentists at the ADA’s SmileCon in 2023.
• KATHY ALIKHANI DMD 88 ENDO 90
• DR. CHARILAOS ASIKIS (FACULTY)
• CHARLOTTE BIGG DMD 16
• MCALLISTER CASTELAZ DMD 17
• ETHAN D.P. CHASE DMD 97
• RONALD M. FRIED DMD 83
• DR. ANGELICA GIL-LEVIN (FACULTY)
• JOHN ICTECH-CASSIS PROS 86 DMD 88
• JAMES E. LEE CAS 09 CAMED 10 DMD 14
• DR. VASILIKI MASELI WHEELOCK 20
• MICHAEL A. MAYR CAMED 12 DMD 16
• ANDREW MILLER DMD 12 AEGD 13 ENDO 15
• DR. MOHAMMED MOEEDUDDIN AHMED PROS 22
• DR. PELIN KARAGOZ MOTRO (FACULTY)
• DR. THEODORE NELSON (FACULTY)
• SEPIDEH NOVID DMD 04 AEGD 05
• DR. BRENO REBOUCAS DSC 07 PEDO 12 QUESTROM 23
• DR. MOUHAB Z. RIZKALLAH ORTHO 04
• DR. SHEILA RODRIGUEZ-VAMVAS (FACULTY)
• DR. DEBASHREE SAXENA PERIO 16
• SAMIRA SHEIKH DMD 03
• JIANGYUN SHENG DMD 11
• DR. JAWAD TAWIL IMPLANT 01
• ANCHITA VENKATESH DMD 18
• GARRETT WINGROVE DMD 17
• BRADLEY D. WOLAND DMD 11 ORTHO 14
ASHISH AGARWAL
DMD 17 AND ARIFA
BAKERYWALA DMD 18 welcomed a son, Ziaan, on December 26, 2023.
SARAH GUZMAN
DMD 15 and her husband Christopher welcomed their second son, Ethan Wayne Robert Guzman, on March 19 at 7 lbs 15 oz and 20” long. He joins big brother Jack and sister Brooke.
PARDIS KOLEINI CAS 10 CAMED 13 DMD 17 and Shane McCarroll welcomed a son, Caspian Behrooz McCarroll, on March 9, 2024, weighing a healthy 8 lbs and measuring 19.5” long.
KHURRUM SHEIKH DMD 07 was voted top dentist by his peers for the fifth consecutive year in Philadelphia Magazine.
MARTY NAGER DMD 85 PERIO 87 received the prestigious Etherington Award at Yankee Dental Congress in January 2024. The award is given to New England dentists who dedicate much of their careers to bettering the lives of others through their work in dentistry.
Fifteen GSDM alumni and/or faculty were inducted into the International College of Dentists at the ADA’s SmileCon in 2023.
• ASHISH AGARWAL DMD 17
• CHARLES BADAOUI DMD 89
• ARIFA BAKERYWALA DMD 18
• DR. KAMAR BALOUL PEDO 04
• DR. MANISH BHAGANIA (FACULTY)
• HIMA DESAI DMD 19
• DR. LEA EL HACHEM PERIO 14
• LAURIE FLEISHER DMD 81 ENDO 83
• DR. MICHELLE HENSHAW SPH 96 DPH 07
• DR. AUSTIN LEE AEGD 16
• DR. SUJEY MORGAN (FACULTY)
• GARY NORD DMD 10
• NAMAN RAO DMD 22
• DOUGLAS SCHILDHAUS DMD 91 PEDO 93
• NGUYET TAU DMD 07 PEDO 09
DID YOU GET MARRIED? HAVE A BABY? ACCOMPLISH A LIFE GOAL?
We’d love to hear your news! Email your updates (and any address changes) to Stacey McNamee at smcnamee@bu.edu.
ON CAMPUS: HIGHLIGHTS
GSDM Creates New Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
GSDM recently created a Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology that will support both pre- and postdoctoral education, clinical training, research, calibration, and compliance.
Dr. Deeba Kashtwari, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial radiologist who joined GSDM in 2021, will serve as the inaugural chair of this department. She is a clinical associate professor of oral & maxillofacial radiology and will also serve as GSDM’s chief radiation safety officer.
“I thank Dean Leone for sharing this vision for the school, which is an important milestone in the history of GSDM, and having faith in my ability,” Kashtwari said. “The new department will create a centralized system at GSDM and improve collaboration and visibility of radiology within the school.”
The creation of this new department will enhance GSDM’s national reputation and help align the university with peer institutions.
“Our curriculum will be more streamlined, integrated, and be able to respond to changes and technical developments in the field of oral and maxillofacial radiology,” Kashtwari said.
As for the future of the department, Kashtwari said the centralized radiology system will open doors to many collaborations and research opportunities for predoctoral students, residents, and faculty members.
“This is just a small beginning, but as the department reaches its full potential, there will more clinical and research opportunities that will benefit the school,” Kashtwari said.
Fan, a research associate professor of restorative sciences & biomaterials at GSDM, recently won a Boston University Ignition Award for his work on a process that utilizes an enamel-mimicking formula directly on the damaged tooth’s surface. He was one of eight winners this year, joining a prestigious list of industry-changing researchers.
Fan and his team have already tested the process in the lab in conditions that simulate the environment of the human mouth, but they will be using the award to move their technology closer to clinical applications.
“Current solutions, even using the best material we have, may not last forever, or not even over 10 years,” Fan said.
Through BU Technology Development, the BU Ignition Award program gives Boston University or Boston Medical Center researchers funds to advance ideas with clear commercial potential. Award winners also receive specialized coaching and support to bring their inventions to their peak marketable potential, in addition to the financial grant.
After connecting with industry mentors and taking training programs, Fan said he and his team have been in contact with a target population of dentists who would, in theory, be using the product. He said they will work to adapt the product to best fit the needs of that population.
“The dentists are the ones who observe the outcome,” Fan said. “If they see there is need, then it’s usable. [We] don’t want its use to be complicated —that’s what we learned from our training.”
Tooth enamel plays a critical role in protecting our teeth and gums from decay but current tooth enamel restoration techniques have multiple limitations, in addition to being expensive and invasive. Now, GSDM faculty member Yuwei Fan and his team are one step closer to creating a superior solution that strives to address these restoration issues.
GSDM Professor Wins BU Ignition Award
ON CAMPUS: HIGHLIGHTS
GSDM Students Awarded Grand Prize in Ethics Video Contest
A team of seven GSDM predoctoral students won the grand prize in the 2023 American Dental Association’s Council on Ethics, Bylaws, and Judicial Affairs’ Student Ethics Video Contest with their video “Undercover Dental Justice” which depicts a high-stakes sting operation that catches an unethical dentist in the act. This was the first grand prize win in this contest in GSDM history.
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The winning students were Melanie Thomas DMD AS 24, Torera Aina DMD 24, Sarah Sveen DMD 25, Veronique Matthews DMD 24, Scott Hunter DMD 25, Annoja Lall DMD AS 24, and Saif Alankarli DMD AS 24.
The video follows a dentist, aptly named Dr. Immoral, who is violating the American Dental Association (ADA) principles of ethics by performing unnecessary dental procedures for the sole purpose of increased financial gain. During the sting operation, Dr. Immoral is caught in the act and immediately arrested by officers representing the five ADA principles of ethics: justice, non-maleficence, autonomy, beneficence, and veracity.
Thomas, who wrote the script for “Undercover Dental Justice,” said she thoroughly enjoyed working on the video with her classmates.
“I put my heart and soul into this project, so it was the best feeling in the world knowing our hard work had paid off,” Thomas said.
According to Thomas, the group’s goal was to create awareness about the growing pressure on dentists to increase their production at any expense, which often leads to compromised patient care. The group’s video emphasizes that a dentist’s top responsibility is prioritizing patient care.
Thomas said she hopes the team’s grand-prize win will remind her dental peers will be reminded that it is best to put patient care ahead of personal gain.
“In a world that is becoming increasingly focused on profit and bottom lines, I hope we are able to stand up to our beliefs and steadfastly prioritize the ethical principles that define our noble profession,” Thomas said.
by RACHEL
KATE WINEBRAKE DMD 25 IS, BY ALMOST ANY DEFINITION, A LEADER.
SHE HOLDS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL, MOST NOTABLY AS THE AMERICAN DENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (ADEA) DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER IN THE COUNCIL OF STUDENTS, RESIDENTS, AND FELLOWS.
Her own experiences made Winebrake curious: Can every dental student become a leader, regardless of whether they hold an official role?
KATE WINEBRAKE DMD 25
When she was accepted into the ADEA Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program, Winebrake had the opportunity, working under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Mara, GSDM assistant professor of general
academia, research, and community outreach, so Winebrake said she would like to see all students receive robust exposure of what it means to be a leader while still in school.
“I'm not sure if students always recognize that [they] can be a leader in different facets of dentistry,” Winebrake said. “I think that it's important to educate students more on those opportunities and give them the ability to participate in any of those opportunities.”
LEADERSHIP ISN'T ONE SIZE FITS ALL
dentistry, to explore that question, conducting research on the delivery of predoctoral student leadership training across programs nationally.
“I haven't learned to be a leader through necessarily having ‘a title’ but more so the opportunity to be a part of the team, holding myself and other people accountable for whatever task we're trying to accomplish,” Winebrake said.
As a continuation of Winebrake’s ADEA fellowship, she went on to start a personal research project with Mara —this time focusing on student preferences in dental student leadership development opportunities. Winebrake published an article on this topic in the Journal of Dental Education in December and now is developing a full-length manuscript.
According to Winebrake, the studies found that dental students
recognize that they have the potential to be leaders, but need guidance to realize that potential.
She said students preferred interactive leadership training over lectures, self-study, and research experiences.
Winebrake thinks dental schools can play a pivotal role in getting students the leadership training they want and need.
“No student is the same in terms of the way that they learn leadership and what they want to do with the skills that they learn,” Winebrake said. “It would be nice if they were able to choose a form of leadership training…that most resonated with them and that was really tailored and personalized to their own life goals.”
Leadership skills are vital in all sub-sets of dentistry, including
Winebrake wants the next generation of dentists to find their passion and get involved in ways that make them happy. She believes that with an increased interest in dental student leadership development opportunities, students can make their dental goals a reality.
“NO
ONE LEADS THE SAME WAY. The goal [of dental school] is for everyone to graduate and be competent at leading the dental team, but I think that there's different ways that people can approach being a leader.”
STUDY MOTIVATES SMOKING CESSATION
VIA A VIRTUAL REALITY
HEADSET DURING
DENTAL CLEANINGS
GSDM Center for Behavioral Sciences Research Director
Dr. Belinda Borrelli and her team are in the fifth year of a six-year grant that’s trying to answer those questions. The grant is funding research to explore whether a video shown to a patient through a virtual reality headset while they are getting their teeth cleaned, in combination with a customized text message program, is effective at encouraging smoking cessation.
Borrelli said. “Even if they get counseled at the dentist, they don’t want to sit there for longer than they should, [especially] if they’re [not previously motivated] to quit.”
Cessation interventions are not typically delivered in a dental setting due to both lack of time during dental appointments and insufficient provider time and training on how to work with unmotivated patients, Borrelli said.
How do you motivate a smoker to quit smoking if they don’t want to change their habits? Where is the best place to present smokers with effective quitting information? What new and innovative technologies can increase smokers’ motivation and confidence?
The project, on which Borrelli as PI is joined by co-investigators Marianne Jurasic (GSDM), Romano Endrighi (GSDM), Howard Cabral (SPH), and Lisa Quintiliani (Tufts School of Medicine), is funded by a $4.1 million grant award from the National Institute of Health / National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research. To date, the team has recruited more than 400 patients into a randomized clinical trial, conducted both in the GSDM patient treatment center and at Tufts School of Dental Medicine.
While there are no findings to report yet, Borrelli said they have received positive feedback from both patients and providers involved in the study. The research team plans to seek more funding to disseminate this intervention on a broader scale.
Smoking remains the top preventable cause of premature death in the United States, and individuals with low income and low educational levels smoke in disproportionate numbers to the rest of the population, according to a 2022 article in BMC Public Health.
“Somebody who doesn’t want to quit isn’t going to go someplace that they normally don’t go, and they’re not going to want to spend extra time getting counseling,”
VR headsets, especially the disposable ones, are a cost-effective and time-efficient way to incorporate smoking cessation guidance into dental appointments, helping providers reach all smokers, regardless of their motivation.
“I think it’s a struggle because they really want to help the smokers, but they don’t have time or they’re not up on the latest smoking cessation treatments or they don’t know how to motivate an unmotivated smoker,” Borrelli said. “There’s a lot of barriers.”
Borrelli stressed that it is never too late to quit. Her goal is to make sure everyone has the proper resources and help they need.
“If the best-case scenario doesn’t happen, then I want them to quit three months from now rather than three years from now, after potentially more damage is done,” Borrelli said.
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GSDM WELCOMES DR. LOUBNA PLA TO DEAN'S ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Loubna Pla ENDO 08 earned a Bachelor in Dental Surgery with Distinction from the School of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University. She then completed the endodontic specialty program at St. Joseph University in Beirut and acted as consultant attaché in teaching of undergraduate clinical endodontics. Pla completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study and Master of Science in Endodontics at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. She founded Pla Endodontics in 2011, and expanded her practice in 2017 with her partner, Dr. Kristopher Watts ENDO 08, to form Pla & Watts Endodontics, upholding her vision of advanced, patient-centered care. Pla is a former board member of the Pierce County Dental Society, and has served on the Dean’s Advisory
DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD
David Paul Lustbader
CAS 86 DMD 86
Chair Chief of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Milton Hospital
Founder, South Shore Oral Surgery Associates Quincy, MA
Tarun Agarwal
Owner, 3-D Dentists
Founder, Raleigh Dental Arts Raleigh, NC
Nazila Bidabadi
CAS 82 DMD 87
President & Chief Cosmetic Dentist, Soft Touch Dentistry Allston, MA
Donald Booth
Professor and Chair Emeritus, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Retired Chief, Department of Dentistry Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston Medical Center Topsfield, MA
Shadi Daher
DMD 90 OMFS 94
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Cofounder and President, Medical Missions for Children Westwood, MA
Patrik Eriksson
CEO, Vimian Newport Beach, CA
Richard A. Konys
DMD 84 OMFS 88
Founder, Eastside Dental Fayetteville, NY
Board at GSDM since 2023. She is a proud member of a number of professional organizations, including the American Association of Endodontics, American Dental Association, International Association of Dental Traumatology, and the Pierce County Dental Association.
Born and raised in Lebanon, where she was a National Volleyball team player, Pla is fluent in French and Arabic. She gives back to her community through her support of local businesses and schools. When away from her endodontic chair, Pla enjoys weight training, running, and skiing with her three children and Philip Pla MSM, her husband and business manager.
Jonathan B. Levine DMD 81
Founder & CEO, GLO Science
Founder, Jonathan B. Levine & Associates New York, NY
Geoffrey Ligibel
President & CEO, 42 North Dental Waltham, MA
Madalyn Mann DPH 76 Former Director, Applied Professional Experience (APEX) & Extramural Programs, Boston University
Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine Miami, FL
Alon Mozes CEO, Neocis Inc. Miami, FL
Thomas Olsen Advisor, Mavrik Dental Therapeutics
Costa Mesa, CA
Mina Paul SPH 96
Administrative Dental Director, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Boston, MA
Loubna Pla ENDO 08
Co-Founder and Owner, Pla & Watts Endodontics Puyallup, WA
Jeanne C. Sinkford
Senior Scholar in Residence, American Dental Education Association
Dean Emeritus, Howard University College of Dentistry Washington, D.C.
GIVINGTUESDAY
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, GSDM joined with the rest of the University community, as well as organizations around the country and across the world, to celebrate GivingTuesday. We want to thank each and every donor who helped make this year’s GivingTuesday a success.
Gurgen Abazyan DMD 22
Meredith A. Bailey Questrom 23
Joan Bergin
Robert Bertocchi
Cristiana Bertocchi
Manish Bhagania
Kateri Burns
Jonathan S. Chase CAS 80 ORTHO 90
Catie Dargue
Lori F. Davis
Katherine A. DeForest
Keri Discepolo
Thomas Donahue
Peter DuBois
Larry Dunham DMD 83 & Lynn Dunham MET 81
Ray English DMD 14
Roberta P. Flynn
Raul I. Garcia
Russell A. Giordano II
Pranav Gupta DMD 24
John Hornbostel
Jamie J. Hubert DPH 79
Jessica Interlandi
M. Marianne Jurasic DMD 95
$16,885
TOTAL DOLLARS RAISED
Anviti Kalekar
Dushanka V. Kleinman DMD 76 DPH 76
Matt Kubovich
Afsheen Lakhani DMD 06 AEGD 07
Cataldo W. Leone
Thomas Lin
Maria Maranga
Timothy W. McDonough
John Milza
Mayumi O. Onoe-Miyamoto AEGD 01 PROS 05
Janis B. Moriarty
Thomas Mulvey
Raju Reddy
Richard Rosato
Catherine F. Sarkis CAS 88 Questrom 91 LAW 94
Todd Shenkin
Gerald Shenkin
Jim Singer
Norman Tinanoff
Arthur H. Tinkelenberg
Venkata S. Velagapudi DMD 15
John Warren
James Newman MET 93 MET 96 CGS 85 & Jennifer Weinstein
Zhewu Xu DMD 20
48 UNIQUE DONORS 48% INCREASE IN DOLLARS RAISED FROM PRIOR YEAR
Giving above & beyond
Through teaching, dentistry, and now an endowment, Dr. Sara Sheikh works in service of others.
If Sara Sheikh DMD 14 is your dentistry professor at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM), you can count on her for just about anything.
Struggling with your exams? She’ll sit down and review them with you. Having issues in your dental practice? She’ll advise you on how to resolve them. Wake up with a sick child on an exam day? She’ll help you find childcare.
“I like being the go-to person for people,” Sheikh said. “I love connecting with my students and helping them out.”
Helping others is a running theme in Sheikh’s life and career, and it goes well beyond her work at GSDM. Every Sunday, she drives from Boston to her home in Kennebunk, Maine, where she runs a private practice at the Kennebunk Center for Dentistry. The state-of-the-art, 9,000-square foot facility has a high-end feel, but Sheikh and her team are deeply committed to serving patients from all walks of life, including refugees, low-income patients, and those with special needs or development disabiliites.
“I never say no to anyone,” says Sheikh. “It’s an open door for everybody.”
To that end, Sheikh has instilled into her practice the principles of kindness, compassion, and dedication to caring for patients’ wellbeing. As a result, she and her team have made a significant difference for patients who face challenges in maintaining their oral health due to their unique needs.
This approach comes naturally to Sheikh, who was taught at a young age about the importance of caring for and giving to others. Born in Pakistan but raised in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh saw her father, a librarian, and mother, a teacher, model these values in her community.
“Our whole family is very geared towards philanthropic activities and how you can make a positive difference in someone’s life,” Sheikh explained.
In fact, her twin sister Hajra Sheikh DMD 14 first suggested dentistry as a career where both sisters could make an impact. They went to dental school together in Pakistan, and then decided to continue their education in the United States.
In 2012, they both enrolled in GSDM’s Advanced Standing Program, a rigorous
program designed for internationally educated dentists.
Eight years after graduating, Sheikh established the Sheikh Ghauri Research Endowment at GSDM to express her gratitude to the school. It is the first endowment at GSDM to provide broad, non-restricted assistance for research; that is, the endowment may be used for research related to clinical practice, faculty seed grants, predoctoral student research funding, and basic science research, or to close funding gaps for research projects not covered by government or private grants. The endowment is one of the school’s largest research pledges to date and one of the largest gifts ever received by GSDM from an individual.
Sheikh named the endowment after her parents, who helped inspire it. Indeed, it carries their legacy forward.
“I hope this endowment will have a broader impact on the school’s researchers and scholars, who are willing to engage with the community,” she said.
“ I hope this endowment will have a broader impact on the school’s researchers and scholars, who are willing to engage with the community.”
by RACHEL P. FARRELL
Giving to the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in your will is a simple way to make a real difference.
It’s easy —and rewarding. Take the time now to make sure that your will reflects your intentions to care for your family and the people and causes that matter most to you.
If you include a gift for GSDM in your estate plans, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that future generations of students and residents will benefit from your generous legacy.
To learn more about how you can make a gift in your will to support GSDM, contact Boston University Planned Giving at 800-645-2347 or opg@bu.edu, or visit bu.edu/plannedgiving.
Download a complimentary copy of our Estate Planning Guide at bu.edu/estateguide .
Maintaining a competitive edge, no matter what the arena, takes investment, and we are grateful for the support we receive from many sources.
Importantly, generous contributions from our alumni and friends are vital to our ongoing success. These gifts have made improvements in our clinical facilities, classrooms, and public areas, and have been used them to support student scholarships, among other areas. If you are interested in giving to the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine or want to become involved in our resource development activities, please contact Stacey McNamee at smcnamee@bu.edu or use one of the methods listed below to make a gift.
ONLINE
Give online safely and securely at bu.edu/dental/supportgsdm.
PHONE
Call us at 617-358-8774 to make a gift or pledge over the phone.
MAIL
Mail your contribution to Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Development & Alumni Relations 85 E Newton Street, M-1009 Boston, MA 02118
Checks should be made payable to Trustees of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
IN MEMORIAM
DR. DAN NATHANSON
DPH 85 PROS 90
LEXINGTON, MA
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
Dr. Dan Nathanson, an influential and pioneering figure in prosthodontics, restorative sciences, biomaterials, and cosmetic dentistry, left an indelible mark on his field with a distinguished career spanning over 50 years. His groundbreaking research on esthetic restorative materials culminated in more than 400 published works and resulted in keynote lectures around the U.S. and in over 45 countries across the globe.
Dan's academic journey began with a dental degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, followed by postdoctoral studies at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Boston University, where he later led the department of Restorative Sciences/Biomaterials for four decades. Throughout his four-decade tenure at GSDM, he was a transformative figure, both at GSDM and across his field, establishing himself as a renowned educator, clinician, and researcher.
His work contributed to growing the international reputation of GSDM by significantly advancing the field of esthetic and restorative dentistry through clinical application and research. Even after he retired, Dan continued to influence his field through the careers and work of the countless residents he mentored and advised throughout the years.
Upon his retirement from GSDM in December 2019, and in
recognition of his extraordinary achievements in academia and research, Dan was awarded the honorary title of Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine Distinguished Scientist, which is a title and set of responsibilities conferred to recognize individuals at the highest level of academic and research achievement. He is one of only two individuals so recognized in the school’s history. His leadership extended to serving as president of more than 11 national and international dental organizations, highlighting his global impact on dental health and education.
Nathanson was a true Renaissance Man. He was celebrated for his wide-ranging interests beyond his professional successes, encompassing a passion and depth of knowledge of opera, classical music, history, and art. His hobbies also included being a recreational pilot, skiing, and windsurfing. His loss creates an inconsolable void in the hearts of those who knew him.
IN MEMORIAM
DR. VICTOR STEPHEN DIETZ ORTHO 71
SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE OCTOBER 25, 2023
Dr. Victor Dietz was a faculty member in the Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics for 50 years, although his relationship with the school is even longer, as he completed both his Certificate of Advanced Graduated Study and a master’s degree in Orthodontics from GSDM. He officially retired in 2011, but continued on as a volunteer faculty member.
At a celebration in honor of his retirement, colleague Dr. Thomas Kilgore said, “Vic was always the consistently organized person who kept everything in the program moving smoothly and on track. Vic was also very instrumental in organizing and sustaining our outstanding Orthodontic Alumni Association. I’ll miss working with Vic as a colleague and as a friend.”
In addition to his work at GSDM, Vic maintained a private practice in his hometown of Framingham, Massachusetts. Prior to his residency at GSDM, Vic studied at Franklin and Marshall and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School.
Vic greeted everyone with a smile and was eager to recruit friends and colleagues to share in the joy he experienced pursuing his passions, the utmost being
cycling. Over the years he biked with friends, his spouse, Blanche, and children Brian and Michelle in the MS 150, and then Pan Mass Challenge (27 years). He carried this passion into retirement, working at Landry's Bike Store in Natick. Vic was fortunate to forge strong bonds with colleagues and students who became lifelong friends. Outside of biking and his professional pursuits, Vic somehow found the time to teach and study karate, attaining the level of 3rd degree black belt, and crafting stained glass art that graced the homes of his friends and family. Vic was an active member of the Jewish communities of MetroWest, Boston and Portland, Maine, participating in the synagogues of Temple Beth Elohim, Temple Beth Am and Congregation Bet Ha'Am.
RICHARD SODEN LAW 70
DECEMBER 25, 2023
Richard was the longest serving member of our board, having been appointed by Henry Goldman. He also served as a trustee of Boston University from 1995 to 2008. He received a BA from Hamilton College in 1967 and a JD from Boston University School of Law in 1970. Richard joined the law firm Goodwin as an associate in 1971 and became a partner in the firm in 1979, making him one of the first African Americans elected to partnership at a large Boston law firm. He continued in that capacity until the fall of 2006, when he transitioned to an Of Counsel role with the firm.
Richard was actively involved in a wide array of professional organizations, including serving as chairman of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Oversight Committee, a trustee of the Social Law Library and a member of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, the Massachusetts IOLTA Committee and the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates. Richard was a past president of the Boston Bar Association, Boston Bar Foundation and the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and former chairman of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Bar Services and Activities and its Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs. He was also a former chairman of the Steering Committee of the Boston Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
In 2018, the Boston Bar Association (BBA) presented Richard with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his profound contributions to the profession and community.
In a speech Richard gave while accepted the award, he said, “As we are witness to the rise of the politics of racial and economic division, I would like to remind us all that we will succeed, not by ignoring our differences, but by acknowledging and embracing them.”
Richard was an incredibly accomplished individual who was generous with his time, knowledge, and expertise. This was certainly evident in his role as a member of the GSDM Dean’s Advisory Board, and his presence will be missed.
IN MEMORIAM
Lawrence E. Berkman
DMD 66
NORWICH, CONNECTICUT
JANUARY 22, 2024
Larry was born on January 21, 1958, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was a graduate of Norwich Free Academy and continued his undergraduate education at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Larry finished his formal education at Boston University, where he earned his Doctor of Science in Dentistry. Dr. Berkman was a successful dentist for 35 years. He owned his practice in Hope Valley, Rhode Island.
Larry possessed a keen intellect, with strong opinions and varied interests. Larry was an avid writer and coin collector; he enjoyed planetary geology, astronomy, history, and family genealogy. Larry’s passion for the NY Giants and Boston Red Sox was one that will not be forgotten.
Richard Dale Carr PEDO 73
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS AND RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
DECEMBER 11, 2023
Richard was born in Enid, Oklahoma on January 15, 1943. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1961. Richard was recruited to Lincoln University, a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in Jefferson City, Missouri, to play for the Blue Tigers football program.
Although he received an invitation to try out for the Denver Broncos, Richard decided to continue his education, earning a master’s degree in biology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) from Meharry Medical College of Dentistry in 1968. Richard went on to achieve a graduate degree as a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine.
At the young age of 34, Richard opened his dental office on New Edgerly Road in Boston, Massachusetts in 1977. In 1984, he expanded Carr & Associates in Back Bay to over 10 dentists and a 5,000 square ft. Office. In 2018, he retired and sold his dental practice.
Richard was a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Boston University. He received the Yankee Dental Congress award and an award for outstanding service from the Roxbury Comprehensive Community Health Center. He did extensive outreach to day care centers and programs for mentally ill and disabled children.
Kenneth Nelson Cutler
DMD 66 OMFS 72
PROVO, UTAH
DECEMBER 15, 2023
Kenneth was born on August 24, 1933, in the beautiful farming town of Preston located in southern Idaho. Ken excelled in his schooling and after graduating from Preston High school in 1951, he went on to further schooling at Utah State university and then Northwestern University in Chicago where he earned his dental degree in 1957.
In 1965, Ken and his family moved to Boston where Ken studied at Boston University to obtain a degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. They soon fell in love with New England and ended up staying there for 41 years, raising their family in Belmont, Massachusetts. Kenneth had an oral surgery practice in Wakefield.
After living in the Boston area for 41 years, Ken and his wife, Helen, retired to Provo, Utah, in 2006 where they would be closer to many of their children and grandchildren.
James L. Hurst ORTHO 78
MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
APRIL 15, 2024
After graduating Geneva High School in 1961, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Reserve University. He went on to attend Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, receiving a degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1969. He later attended Boston University and earned his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Orthodontics in June of 1978.
Initially practicing dentistry in the Naval Reserves, he moved on after four years to open a private general dentistry practice in Newport, Rhode Island. He would later establish his private orthodontic practice in Middletown. Jim meticulously straightened the teeth of locals for 39 years before retiring in 2017.
Known by those closest to him as Jim, Jimmy, Doc, Morfar and Farfar, he spent countless hours driving to ice rinks, or ball fields supporting those he loved. Jim’s “all in” approach and commitment to everything in his life took him in many different directions. He was never afraid to tackle a project or get his hands dirty. His attention to detail and love for building often led to a tool in his hands, pencil behind his ear or sawdust on his shoes.
Susan C. Johnson
Dental Assistant 76
TOWNSEND, MASSACHUSETTS
SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
Susan was born in Cambridge on November 22, 1957, and resided in Townsend for over forty years. She was a 1975 graduate of Waltham High School and continued her education at Boston University in the dental assistant program. Throughout her career, Susan had worked in several dental offices.
Susan was devoted to her family. She created many wonderful memories for family and friends by hosting holiday gatherings, birthday and anniversary parties, and other celebrations. Her most recent role as Nana was one of her favorites. She loved celebrating all of her grandson's "1st" memories including most recently his 1st birthday.
Susan was always up for an adventure, whether going camping, taking a road trip to New York City, or touring Disney World. She was also an accomplished crafter. While Susan particularly loved scrapbooking and needlepoint, she enjoyed learning new things and branched out to other crafts like needle felting. Her kindness, generosity, and grace enriched the lives of all of those around her.
IN MEMORIAM
Felix R. Lawrence
OMFS 70
NASHVILLE. TENNESSEE
DECEMBER 16, 2023
Felix was born on his grandfather’s farm In Franklin, Tennessee. He had his early education in Williamson County schools under segregation. He was known to be a curious child of good character.
He attended Tennessee State University where he completed his B.S. in Biology and proceeded to complete his M.S. in Zoology at TSU. Upon completion of his degrees, he attended Meharry Medical College. In 1968 he completed his DDS and went to Boston University as a research fellow. He left BU with a D.Sc. in dentistry. After completing a residency at Cook County Hospital, he entered his professional life.
Felix was the first Black and youngest to chair a postgraduate dental program in the U.S, serving as chair at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He served that capacity at Cook County Hospital for a number of years. He then served in the same role at Hines VA Hospital in Chicago. He had oral surgery practices in Oak Park, IL and Franklin, TN. In the early 2010s, he served as director of graduate studies in the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College, his alma mater.
Dr. Herbert E. Meyers
PERIO 60
PITTSBURGH, PA
MARCH 4, 2024
Herb was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 21, 1933. Herb graduated from The Kiski Prep School where he was an outstanding football player and boxer. He was also a standout in baseball and was asked to try out for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but his passion for science led him to college where he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh in 1954.
Herb received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his periodontal residency training at The University of Pennsylvania and Boston University. He returned home to Pittsburgh and joined a periodontal practice with Dr. Louis Baraff and became one of the first practices to specialize in periodontics. In 1989, he went into practice with his son Jim, and they worked together at Oakland Periodontal until his retirement in 2008. Oakland Periodontal is now in its 67th year of existence and still run by his son, the longevity and quality of treatment and the loyalty of a devoted staff is a credit to Herb's vision.
In addition to his practice, he also served as a professor of dental medicine at The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and he enjoyed immensely the opportunity to run into students who went on to build their own successful careers in dentistry.
Dr. Howard Pranikoff
ENDO 79
ORMOND BEACH, FLORIDA
AUGUST 29TH, 2023
Howard was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, on July 23, 1942. Howard was an accomplished endodontist who practiced in the Ormond / Daytona Beach area for 40+ years before retiring in 2018. He was a graduate of Syracuse University and then graduated from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dentistry in 1971. In 1979, he attended Boston University's Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry and obtained his Master of Science in Endodontics.
He had a passion for organized dentistry and was a leader in many organizations —including the ADA, Volusia County Dental Association and the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties. He served the Florida Dental Association throughout the years as a member of the House of Delegates and Board of Trustees and as a member of the FDA Services Board of Directors. He was heavily involved with the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity where he served as Intl. President in 2004. He was proud to serve on the Board of Governors for Tel Aviv University for many years. In 2022, he was awarded the J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Achievement Award by the Florida Dental Association.
Robert M. Schreibman
PEDO 69
GLASTONBURY, CONNECTICUT
JANUARY 1, 2024
Bob was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 25, 1937. His family moved shortly thereafter to Brooklyn, New York, where he graduated from Fort Hamilton High School. Bob went on to Colorado State University 1955-1959 for his B.S. and to Tufts School of Dental Medicine for his D.M.D. 1964-1967. He continued at Boston University School of Dentistry 1967-1969 for his pedodontics certificate and Master of Science in Dentistry. Bob moved to Glastonbury in 1969 to begin his pediatric dental practice; later partnering with Dr. Robert Jung to establish Smiles for the Future, where they grew their friendship and practiced together for over 45 years. In addition to his previous degrees, he also attended the University of Hartford 1982-1985 where he received his Master of Science in Organizational Behavior. Among the many leadership and teaching positions Bob held, were founder of the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach, Cofounder of the Connecticut Mission of Mercy free dental clinic, serving as cochair from 2008-2023, and past president of the Connecticut State Dental Association.
Robert Milton Segal
PERIO 66
SARASOTA, FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
After attending Boston English High School and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Bob attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry, where he earned a degree in periodontics. Bob practiced periodontic dentistry at his office in Belmont, Massachusetts, and served as a professor at Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry.
Bob was driven by a passion for volunteering, donating his time to the dental clinic at the Bridge Over Troubled Waters in Boston, Massachusetts, the Special Olympics, and the Senior Friendship Center as a dental volunteer. Bob was an adoring husband, father and grandfather.
Bob battled type 1 diabetes throughout his life and credits his mother for instilling the diligence needed to maintain his blood sugar levels, a strict diet and frequent exercise.
Dr. Martin Ugarte-Chavez faculty
NOVEMBER 6, 2023
Martin Ugarte was a dentist in School-Based Programs, Office of Global and Population Health, and instructor, Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research.
Martin joined the faculty of GSDM in 2009, as coordinator of school-dental programs in Framingham and Natick, including Framingham’s SMOC Head Start. He also worked in the public schools in Chelsea and Boston. He provided preventive and restorative care at GSDM’s Chelsea School Dental Center and Orchard Gardens School.
Martin greatly enjoyed teaching. Dental students will remember him for his patience and attention to detail as one of the instructors of the predoctoral pediatric rotation at Orchard Gardens. His colleagues in School-Based Programs will remember him for his humor and kindness, and for his commitment to children’s oral health.
Martin was born in Arequipa, Peru, and obtained his DDS from Catholic Santa Maria University (Peru) in 1990.
Last Word
Dr. A. Stephen Polins CAS 65 PERIO 73
LIKE MANY OF YOU, MY INTEREST IN DENTISTRY
BEGAN WHEN I WAS A CHILD. My father, a podiatrist, had his office in a professional building shared with many dental colleagues. Whenever I visited him and spoke with his colleagues, they would assure me that dentistry was my destiny. Over time, I assumed that their endorsements, and the hubris of my youth, were enough to ensure my acceptance to dental school. How wrong I was, when, in 1964, my initial application to dental school was rejected.
As I faced the truth that relying on my expectations alone was insufficient without a foundation of academic commitment and a competitive profile, I became determined to rebuild my qualifications and completed higher-level science courses while working as a high school biology teacher. These experiences were transformative, and I soon realized that the true value of education is not determined by a grade alone, but by establishing a comprehensive foundation of knowledge. The result was my acceptance to Howard University College of Dentistry in 1967.
During the next four years of dental school, I applied the insight I gained from rejection, and the experience I secured from the years spent as a high school teacher, to confirm that my future in dentistry would be in specialty practice.
After graduating from Howard with honors in 1971, I enrolled in the periodontal residency program at what was then Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. As I approached the end of my program in 1973, I realized that my sense of personal success became more fulfilled when I shared my expertise and balanced my clinical practice with academic and clinical instruction for periodontal residents and pre-doctoral students. After receiving my CAGS, I joined the school’s faculty, first as a part-time member, and then, in 1975, as a full-time faculty member —and today, entering my sixth decade in dentistry, I am still here.
Throughout the years, I worked closely with the three previous deans as each uniquely contributed to ensuring
the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine’s national and international legacy as a leader in dental and oral health, education, research, and service. Now, I continue my advocacy and support, as Dean Leone provides his leadership, vision, and initiatives to ensure the school’s legacy thrives and remains secure.
In retrospect, my journey has been a testament to the transformative powers of perseverance and dedication. These principles have guided my efforts to provide past, present, and future generations of residents and dental students with not only the required clinical and academic foundations of dentistry, but also the values of compassion, integrity, and responsibility, since all are essential to establishing and maintaining personal and professional growth and development.
TAKEAWAYS FROM
“Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“...I feel like I can go into the workforce and be a voice for anyone coming from dental school...”
DIFFERENT GENERATIONS, SAME PASSION / pg. 03
“No student is the same in terms of the way that they learn leadership.”
