Consultant to the ACD Foundation

Thomas J. Connolly, DDS New York, New York

Dr. Connolly is currently a Consultant for the American College of Dentists Foundation and chairs the ACD-SPEA Task Force. He served as President of the American College of Dentists from 2018-2019 and as President of the New York Academy of Dentistry from 2005-2006. He participates as a Donated Dental Service volunteer and continues being an Ethics Facilitator at Columbia as he has for over 25 years.

Tom was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey and is the oldest of seven children. He attended St. Peter’s College. He earned his DDS and Certificate in Periodontology from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery.

He and his wife, Arlene, live in New York City. His three daughters and three grandchildren also live in New York. He enjoys playing tennis in Central Park with Arlene and his oldest daughter, Julie, with whom he practices. His hobbies include travel, cooking and photography.

Regent Intern

The Regent Intern program provides dental residents and new-to-profession dentists with an opportunity to experience organized dentistry at the highest level. Interns are appointed by the Board of Regents for a two-year term and serve ex-officio. The College benefits greatly from welcoming a fresh perspective.

Joshua Bussard Regent

Intern

Canton, Michigan

Dr. Bussard is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Dentistry. He held many leadership positions during his studies and remains the only student from Indiana to serve as the National President of the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association in Dentistry. After graduating from Indiana, Dr. Bussard matched with an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program located on the Big Island of Hawaii where he completed advanced training in General Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry and Michigan Dental Association and has worked as a general dentist in Hawaii, Indiana, and Michigan.

Outgoing Board Members

Members of the Board of Regents leave an indelible mark on the College. The depth and breadth of their experience and thoughtful servant-leadership guide the advancement of the Mission and help to chart a course for decades to come.

Leo E. Rouse, DDS

ACD Foundation President.

In every role he served in for the College, Dr. Rouse shared his passion for leadership, ethics, professionalism, and academic excellence.

Leo is from Jersey City, New Jersey and served for twenty-eight years in United States Army Dental Corps as a clinician, educator, and commander. As a commander, his most interesting assignments were in Seoul, South Korea and as the Commander of the US Army Dental Command (USADENCOM). As an educator, his most interesting positions were as Chief, Dental Science Division, Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry. He earned his dental degree from the Howard University College of Dentistry in 1973 and received specialty training in Comprehensive Dentistry (2 Years) at Walson Army Hospital, Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1978.

He and his spouse, Yvonne, live in Bowie, Maryland. They have one son, Leo, Jr., a fantastic daughter-in-law, Julie, and two lovely granddaughters, Knylah and McKinzie.