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Faculty and Staff News
Cathy Newton Named School’s Chief of Staff
Cathy Newton added another leadership role to her tenure at the School of Dentistry when she was named Chief of Staff after the retirement of Erica Hanss in January.
Dean Jacques Nör appointed Newton to the position, effective from January 2024 to June 2025. In making the announcement, Nör also thanked Newton for serving as Interim Director of Budget and Financial Planning for nine months in 2023 while a search was conducted to fill that position. It was the second time Newton served as interim budget director, meeting that need in 2019 as well, also for nine months. Newton said her charge from the dean is focused on monitoring the needs and input of staff and faculty across the school, helping identify efficiencies and developing other ways to keep staff satisfaction high. “As chief of staff, and a staff member myself, I know that the staff contribute tremendously to the success of the faculty, clinic instructors, researchers, students and everyone. I want to ensure they
have the resources, the tools and the voice to do their jobs well,” she said. “The vision is that I serve as a liaison among the various groups of staff, faculty, departments and offices – so that everyone is working as efficiently as possible toward the success of the school and its mission.”
In addition to providing input to the dean and school leadership, Newton will supervise the dean’s office, building operations, Marketing and Communications, and the Sindecuse Museum.
Newton joined the dental school in 2017 as Department Administrator for the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, which she continued during the times she served as interim budget director. She has more than 30 years of experience at the University of Michigan, including roles supporting the Department of Dermatology at Michigan Medicine; the School of Nursing; the Center for Educational Outreach; and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, each with increased responsibilities in administration and business functions. Newton holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Concordia College in Ann Arbor.
New PAES Director
Dr. Suman Vij, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, was named director of the school’s Patient Admitting and Emergency Services (PAES) clinic, effective Feb. 1. Vij earned her DDS at U-M in 1999 and began her career in New York and New Jersey, later opening a private practice in Arizona. In 2019, she returned to Ann Arbor and joined the dental school faculty. Dr. Patty Doerr, who directed and served in the PAES clinic for more than 15 years, continues to work as a staff dentist part-time and serves on the school’s Risk Management team.
Maia Leads CE
Faculty member Dr. Rodrigo Maia is the new director of the school’s Continuing Dental Education program. This newly expanded position leads the design and development of a continuing education program business plan for the school. Working closely with the Faculty CDE Advisory Committee, Maia develops a variety of classes, courses, seminars and symposia to provide dental professionals with ongoing training opportunities. Maia, who joined the dental school in 2020, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics. In 2021, he was appointed Restorative Discipline Coordinator in the department. Maia received his DDS degree from Gama Filho University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and an MS and PhD in Restorative Dentistry from the Rio de Janeiro State University. He served in the Brazilian Air Force, where he earned certificates in Operative Dentistry and in Periodontology. Before joining U-M, he was a faculty member at the University of Iowa School of Dentistry.
