GEORGIA REGENTS UNIVERSITY
MOUTH WORD OF
FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 4
COLLEGE of DENTAL MEDICINE
A Dean’s Legacy Memorial Service Pays Homage to Beloved Leader
MOUTH
GEORGIA REGENTS UNIVERSITY
WORD OF
COLLEGE of DENTAL MEDICINE Word of Mouth is produced biannually by the Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine in collaboration with the Office of Communications and Marketing.
FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 4
Opened Wide News at a Glance................................................................ 2 Newsmakers.......................................................................... 4 Forging Bonds..................................................................... 6
28 gov. nathan deal and sue harrison
Alum’s Visit Inspires Class Donation
Ablaze with Potential....................................................... 8 Tragedy Inspires Brothers to Trade Cabinetry for Dentistry
A Dean’s Legacy................................................................. 10 Dean Carol A. Lefebvre, DDS, MS Provost Gretchen B. Caughman, PhD GRU Interim Vice President Communications and Marketing Jack Evans College of Dental Medicine Communications Manager Donna Bellino Editor Christine Hurley Deriso
DESIGN & PRODUCTION P.J. Hayes Design
PHOTOGRAPHY
Memorial Service Pays Homage to Beloved Leader
Day of Service...................................................................... 14 Dental Community ‘Adopts’ Art Museum in Late Dean’s Honor
Special Care for Special Needs.................................... 16 Gracewood Rotation Broadens Perspective for Seniors
Beginning with a Smile.................................................... 20 Students Partner with S.C. Farm for Free Screenings
‘Practicing What I Preach’.............................................. 24 Vice Dean Comes Full Circle at GRU
Phil Jones
‘Best Class Ever’................................................................. 30
WRITERS
Alum Credits Classmates’ Generosity with Fundraising Honor
Christine Hurley Deriso Kelly Jasper
Georgia Regents University does not discriminate on
Student Voice...................................................................... 32 Class Notes........................................................................... 33
the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other application statutes and university policies. ©2014 Georgia Regents University
gru.edu/dentalmedicine
from the
dean
Dr. Carol A. Lefebvre
Dear Readers, Boy, could she light up a room. This was but one of countless observations shared during a Sept. 5 memorial service for our beloved Dean Emeritus, Dr. Connie L. Drisko, as a packed auditorium at GRU’s Maxwell Theatre mourned her June 22 death. Were you not able to make it, I wish you could have been there to experience the warmth firsthand. Yes, it was a somber occasion, but the tears were interspersed with joy and laughter, just as she would have wanted. I hope our coverage of the occasion in this edition of Word of Mouth gives you a sense of just how deeply loved she was and how proud we are to perpetuate her legacy. This edition also features many other fine members of our College of Dental Medicine community, including brothers Brian and Ken Sellers, who are pursuing second careers as dentists after a fire destroyed their cabinet-making business. Dr. Jan Mitchell, Associate Professor of Oral Rehabilitation, says the brothers have the most positive outlook she has ever encountered . . . and we think you’ll agree after reading their story. They’re in good company. Positivity is in ample supply around here, and we trust you’ll find it in spades on virtually every page of the magazine. Our incredible students, faculty, staff, and alumni don’t just create beautiful smiles, they inspire them. Read on to find out how. n
To help perpetuate Dr. Connie Drisko’s legacy, contact the Georgia Health Sciences Foundation at 706-721-4001 or giving.gru.edu/GHSF. A donation to the fund, Dick & Connie’s Kids, will support the College of Dental Medicine’s pediatric dentistry outreach programs and other efforts related to the oral health needs of children.
News at a Glance The college of Dental Medicine hosted its White Coat Ceremony and Ethics Seminar on the same day this year, July 11, reinforcing the message and values that characterize both occasions. The White Coat Ceremony, celebrated annually since 2002, encourages ethical behavior as rising sophomores prepare to begin patient care. The International College of Dentists and American College of Dentists provided coats and a post-ceremony reception for the Class of 2017. The latter also sponsored the Ethics Seminar for the junior class, sharing pizza after a morning discussion of ethical dilemmas and professionalism. n
(Class of 2015), Amir Lamei (Class of 2014), and India Lamothe (Class of 2015). n A paper about irrigant agitation techniques and devices published by Drs. David Pashley and Franklin Tay, along with PhD and postdoctoral students, has been reported the fourth most-cited article in the Journal of Endodontics. The article was cited 101 times from 200913. n Various recent fundraisers have garnered more than $2,500 for the American Heart Association. The initiatives culminated in a Heart Walk at the North Augusta Greeneway in March. The Heart Walk is the association’s nationwide effort to raise money to combat the country’s number-one and number-three killers: heart disease and stroke. n
The college of Dental Medicine’s four-year-old Hispanic Student Dental Association chapter has been named the 2014 National Outstanding Student Chapter of the Year. The award recognizes service, education, advocacy, and leadership in Hispanic oral health. n
Advanced Education in General Dentistry and General Practice residents Lily T. Gilchrist, Christopher Bryan Lee, David G. Nill, and David E. Sullivan have been named Fellows of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Donald Craig Taylor, also a resident in the program, has achieved mastership in the college’s Implant Prosthetics Section. n
GRU inductees into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society are three faculty members – Department of General Dentistry Chairman Rick Callan, Department of Oral Biology Associate Professor Mohammed Elsalanty, and Department of Oral Rehabilitation Interim Chairman Kevin Plummer – and three students: Lauren Hughes
The CDM staff got an up-close-and-personal – and distinctly lighthearted – look at Dean Carol A. Lefebvre during a May 30 meet-and-greet in the Wellness Center. Director of Admissions Stephanie Perry and Office Manager Michael Budd co-hosted the program and unearthed such juicy nuggets as the fact that even as a kid, Lefebvre was a conscientious rule-follower – “the kid who always obeyed the curfew.” n
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When Dr. John “Marvin” Reynolds (in red tie), former Prosthodontics Residency Director, visited campus June 28 to conduct a continuing education course, he got more than he bargained for. Several of his former residents surprised him by showing up – all wearing a bowtie, his signature wardrobe piece – to help him celebrate his 90th birthday. n
Dr. Thomas E. Van Dyke of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Forsyth Institute, delivered the College of Dental Medicine’s Phil Hanes Graduation Lecture during a campus visit June 13-14. The visit was funded by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation’s Finley Visiting Scholarship Grants, memorializing Dr. Charles W. Finley, a charter member of the foundation’s Board of Directors and its second President at age 75. n
Dr. Amy Camba, who is completing an esthetics fellowship, presented her oral rehabilitation research during the Annual Meeting of the American College of Prosthodontists in New Orleans Nov. 6. The poster she presented illustrated a technique for recording an access hole for cement-retained restorations. n
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Newsmakers Dr. Amara Abreu, Assistant Professor of Oral Rehabilitation, has been named a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. n Dr. Roger Arce, Assistant Professor of Periodontics, will participate in the American Dental Education Association’s Academy for Academic Leadership as an American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Fellow. Fellowships enable new faculty members to gain competencies in teaching and other academic skills in the context of career planning. n Jordan Blankenship (’16), a College of Dental Medicine student and President of the American Student Dental Association, has been honored by the International College of Dentists for her leadership role in her class. n Dr. Eladio DeLeon, Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics, has been named President-Elect of the American Association of Orthodontists by the American Board of Orthodontics. Each board Director represents one of the association’s eight constituent organizations and serves an eight-year term. n
Dr. Alan Furness, Assistant Professor of Oral Rehabilitation, has been named an Outstanding Faculty Member in the International College of Dentists. n Dr. Barry D. Hammond has been appointed to the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program. The term will run from 2015-19. n Dr. Andrew Kious, Associate Professor of Oral Rehabilitation, has received the 2014 GRU Student Government Association Faculty Award for “going above and beyond” to help students succeed. n Dr. Ranjitha Krishna, Assistant Professor of Periodontics, has received the College of Dental Medicine’s 2014 Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics Award. The award honors excellent education and enthusiasm in the full scope of clinical periodontics. n
Dr. Kate Ciarrocca, Assistant Professor of Oral Rehabilitation, has authored a continuing medical education module, “Dry Mouth and Older Adults,” that has been published on the Deep South CME Network for the University of AlabamaBirmingham Geriatrics Scholars program. n
Dr. Scott De Rossi, Chairman of the Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, has been appointed the 2014-15 Commission Consultant for the Commission on Dental Accreditation. n
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College of Dental Medicine Dean Carol Lefebvre has been elected to a three-year term as Secretary of the American College of Prosthodontists. n
Dr. Mark Stevens, Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, recently discussed trauma, mandibular reconstruction, and orthognathic surgery as a guest lecturer at the 12th International Congress of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and at the Fourth International Persian Gulf Implant Symposium in Tehran, Iran. n
Dr. Mark Peacock, Associate Professor of Periodontics, has been named to the 2014-15 Anesthesia Committee of the American Academy of Periodontology. n Dr. Bruce Riggs, Assistant Professor of Orthodontics, has received a 2014-15 Master Clinician Scholarship from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation and the Dr. Jerome B. Miller Fund of Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children. The scholarship funds Riggs’ attendance at the American Dental Education Association’s Academy for Academic Leadership Institute for Teaching and Learning as well as any upcoming AAPD Comprehensive Review of Pediatric Dentistry. n Dr. Colin Richman, Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, has received the Seattle Study Club’s 2014 Charlie English Community Education Award. The club offers advanced continuing education for its 8,000-plus member dentists. The award memorializes Dr. Charles E. English, a prosthodontist who died in 2005. Richman, who practices periodontics and implant dentistry in Roswell, Ga., “has quietly impacted [fellow dentists] through his commitment to higher learning and giving of his constant support and time to others without ever expecting or asking anything in return,” said Dr. Michael Cohen, founder of the club. n
Dr. Ulf Wikesjö discussed management of the edentulous maxilla at the recent Academy of Osseointegration Summit in Oak Brook, Ill. n
Dr. Keith Volkmann, Associate Professor of Oral Biology, has been named the College of Dental Medicine’s 2013-14 Outstanding Faculty of the Year. The award, the highest honor given to faculty, recognizes service to both the college and GRU. Volkmann was nominated by the classes of 2015 and 2016. Volkmann retired in June after 41 years of service. n
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Forging Bonds Alum’s Visit Inspires Class Donation By Christine Hurley Deriso
Dr. William Bennett has had several career changes through the years, but one thing has remained a constant: the importance of relationships in his life. “My father was a football coach and spent his entire life molding young men,” says Bennett, who earned both medical and dental degrees, in 2005 and 2010 respectively, from Georgia Regents University. “I saw that played out throughout my childhood, and it became my goal.”
Hitting His Stride
He also seized opportunities in dental school that forged bonds that persist to this day. For instance, he was national Vice President of the American Student Dental Association and initiated students’ inaugural trip to Dental Student Lobby Day in Atlanta. All of the Class of 2010 became life members of the Alumni Association and contributed a significant class gift to their alma mater.
Bennett didn’t just want a job; he wanted to be a role model, positively influencing impressionable young minds. Even the pharmaceutical career that preceded medical school opened doors for meeting new people and creating lasting bonds. But it wasn’t until he became a health care professional that he really hit his stride. He enrolled in the Medical College of Georgia in 2001. “It was a childhood dream to become a physician, and it was wonderful to have an opportunity to do that,” he says. Still, medicine wasn’t quite the right fit. Soon after earning his medical degree, Bennett enrolled in the College of Dental Medicine, where he reveled in nonstop support and camaraderie. “You make extremely good friends in dental school, and they make the whole process worthwhile,” he says. “Sometimes, I’d be struggling with something that came easily to my friends, and vice-versa, so we’d lean on each other. In dental school, your class stays together for all four years, so the bonds of friendship really carry you through.”
Making an Impact After earning his dental degree, Bennett completed an orthodontics residency at the University of Colorado and now practices the specialty in Rome, Ga. “I expected to be a general dentist, but I spent a lot of time with an orthodontist during my senior year, and I was hooked. I like the age group—lots of pre-teens,” he says. “Because orthodontists see their patients so often for a couple of years, they have a huge opportunity to have an impact on their patients’ lives and hopefully be able to make a difference.” And, of course, he relishes the beautiful smiles that his patients carry into their futures. “Most of my patients, even if they hate the process of orthodontia, are really 6
appreciative and love the results,” Bennett says. “You’re helping to create self-esteem and self-worth. It’s a neat job.” He is eminently grateful that GRU made his dream of lifelong service come true. “I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to go to school there,” he says.
a way to return to our campus and encourage our incoming students to give back. He speaks from the heart and they respond. We are genuinely grateful for his generosity and his ability to bring out the generosity in others.”
A $2 Bill
Dr. Will Brantley, an Augusta dentist who graduated in 2014, concurs. “I remember Dr. Bennett speaking to our class, encouraging us to leave a legacy and make a difference.” Brantley, class president for all four years of dental school, encouraged his classmates to begin contributing toward a class donation. “Dr. Bennett’s visit was the impetus to make a donation, and after internal discussion with our class, we agreed on an amount.” Brantley attended dental school with his brother, Chad, who served as class treasurer all four years. The brothers learned firsthand to share Bennett’s appreciation for the lifelong bonds forged in dental school. “We had teachers who were invested in our success, and we developed incredible camaraderie with our classmates,” says Brantley. The class raised $30,000 for the College of Dental Medicine, logging nearly 100 percent participation every year of dental school. “One of the unique ways we were able to leverage the funds was purchasing new intra-oral cameras for the clinics we would be working in,”
He exhibits his gratitude in many ways, including by annually visiting GRU College of Dental Medicine freshmen during orientation. He treats them to lunch and encourages them not only to savor every minute of their upcoming education, but to support the school that is making it possible. He also gives each of them a special gift: a $2 bill. “My mother was a math teacher and a very practical mother of five,” Bennett says. “When I turned 16, she gave me a $2 bill. She told me if I never spent it, I would never be broke. I’ve incurred hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loan debt, but I guess I’ve never been broke.” The gesture – and the spirit that guides it – is much appreciated. “William is a unique combination of philanthropist, entrepreneur, and public servant,” says Dr. Carole Hanes, College of Dental Medicine Associate Dean for Students, Admissions, and Alumni. “I respect and appreciate his amazing loyalty to things that are important to him: his family, his profession, his state, and his alma mater. He gives not only of himself, but each year finds
Incredible Camaraderie
Brantley says. “That way, we were able to personally benefit from the donation, as well as leave our mark for future classes.” The remainder of the donation went to the building fund.
Best Job in the World Bennett, who was recently honored as an inaugural member of GRU’s Jag 20, a group of emerging alumni leaders under age 40, is thrilled that his visit left a lasting impression. “I feel strongly that I have the best job in the world,” he says. “I try to help the students see what a gift the taxpayers of the state of Georgia are giving them: the opportunity to have a comfortable living, the opportunity to be their own boss, set their own hours, and, most importantly, care for people. It’s one of the biggest honors of your life.” His alma mater has made clear that the appreciation is mutual. Upon his graduation, Dean Connie Drisko created the William G. Bennett Leadership Award, benefiting a student who exemplifies leadership qualities, in his honor. Bennett laughs that volunteerism and altruism can have unexpected benefits. He recently married wife Mary Taylor, an Indiana native, whom he met through the American Student Dental Association. Fresh back from his honeymoon, he noted, “She’s learning to love my very large family. On our wedding day, she went from zero nieces and nephews to 15. Oh, and she loves the warm weather, too.” n
dr. will brantley and the Class of 2014
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Ablaze with Potential
Tragedy Inspires Brothers to Trade Cabinetry for Dentistry By kelly jasper
Brian and Ken Sellers talk about teeth the way they once talked about cabinets. When the brothers, both seniors in the College of Dental Medicine, describe how their former careers as cabinet makers prepared them for dentistry, most listeners tend to fidget in their seats.
Brian (left) and ken sellers
Attention to Detail “It makes them uncomfortable. They don’t want to think that building a cabinet is anything like fixing teeth, but they’re similar,” says Ken, who at 44 is the older of the two brothers, originally from Hazlehurst, Ga. Both professions require skillful hands and attention to detail, he explains. Both crafts beautifully meld form and function. “In each, you’ve got structural considerations and esthetic priorities. The form and function go hand in hand. It’s a bit of science and a bit of art. There’s a lot of overlap. You sand down composites with different grits, just like cabinets,” Ken says. 8
Neither brother planned for a midlife career change. A devastating fire changed that.
Up in Flames “We started Sellers Brothers Cabinet Co. together. It was our company. We built it up to 30 employees, set up a manufacturing plant, and did commercial and residential work all across the Southeast,” says Brian, 41. “The fire was devastating. We saw everything go down in a big blue heaping ball.” That was Oct. 31, 2009. “I got a call late Halloween night that the business was burning,” Ken says. “We got there and there were six fire trucks pumping water. They
never could slow it down. We lost everything.” The brothers later found out the fire was caused by an electrical short in a saw. Insurance money helped pay their debts, but without a shop, the brothers lost a major contract.
Do-Over “We had to decide if we wanted to start over from scratch. It was devastating, but we realized life gives you very few do-overs,” Ken says. “This was our opportunity. We could be anything. We could do anything.” Says Brian, “It hit us: We had nothing else to lose.” The two remembered a friend who became a dentist in his 30s. “Growing up, we didn’t talk about dentistry,” Brian says. “We didn’t know anything about it. But when
Doing it Together They applied to the College of Dental Medicine and were accepted, enrolling in 2011. There was no question they would do it together, as brothers. “Brian and I have spent every single day together,” says Ken. “We have our classes together and generally sit together. I get called Brian and he gets called Ken. We do a lot of things together, but we generally work with two different perspectives. It’s very beneficial and it’s nice that he’s there. I know he always has my back, and we keep each other on track.” There was also no question that GRU was the right school for them. “I am from Georgia. This is where I grew up. This is where I want to practice. This is where I’m going to raise my children. And
“In each, you’ve got structural considerations and esthetic priorities. The form and function go hand in hand. It’s a bit of science and a bit of art. There’s a lot of overlap. You sand down composites with different grits, just like cabinets.” –KEN SELLERS we began investigating it as adults, it made a lot of sense.” Their next step was to meet with Dr. Carole Hanes, Associate Dean for Students, Admissions, and Alumni. “She took us very seriously,” says Ken. “She said we should take all our prerequisites, and if we got A’s, we should apply for dental school. But if we got any B’s, we needed to go back to cabinet making.” They began by retaking calculus and physics at South Georgia State College and Georgia Southern University in 2010. Says Brian, “We treated it like a job. We took as many credit hours as we could, anything that would help us get into dental school.”
this is a school that will make you an extremely good clinician,” says Ken, now a member of the College of Dental Medicine Admissions Committee. Both are better students this time around. Ken graduated with an English degree from the University of Georgia in 1993. Brian earned a marketing degree from Georgia Southern University in 1996.
Positive Outlooks “Both are an absolute delight to teach because they know why they are here, and they understand how everything they learn is going to help them become successful dentists. I can’t think of any students
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who are more appreciative of the teaching they receive or who have more positive outlooks on each and every experience, good or bad,” says Dr. Jan Mitchell, Associate Professor of Oral Rehabilitation. “They already know that they will learn from it either way.” The fire taught them that anything can be a blessing and an opportunity. Says Ken, who plans to practice pediatric dentistry, “It’s all about your perspective. The things I’ve done up through now I believe were the Lord’s way of preparing me for this next step. We’ve done customer service. We’ve managed employees. We were in the fire to become better dentists.”
Never Too Old They hope to see their children learn from their example. “I want my kids to see my study and sacrifice,” says Brian, who has two boys, 15 and 11, with his wife, Mia. “It’s an experience for us all. We really like the idea that you can’t let age limit what you do.” Others have been inspired by their story as well, they say. A couple of people have cited the brothers’ story as their inspiration for pursuing dental careers. “And that to us is just spectacular,” says Brian, who plans a career in oral surgery. Ken, the father of children ages 10, 8, and 5 with his wife, Angie, agrees. “You’re never too old to start over. It’s never too late if you’re willing to go for it. Every day is brand new. It’s not a defeat. It’s an opportunity to get better and move on. You show up and keep chugging along. We see it as a great adventure. I want my kids to see that anything you want to do, you can do. I tell them you can be anything you want to be, right after you go to dental school.” n
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A Dean’s Legacy Memorial Service Pays Homage to Beloved Leader By Christine Hurley Deriso
The consensus was overwhelming: Connie Drisko could fill up a room like nobody else. The sentiment was shared over and over at her Sept. 5 memorial service in GRU’s Maxwell Theatre, and her spirit certainly filled up the room for the somber yet joyful occasion. Style and Grace “Connie brought passion to her many professional endeavors, compassion to everyone she came in contact with, humor when it was needed most, and she did it all with style and grace like nobody else could,” said Provost Gretchen Caughman in eulogizing the woman who served as Dean of the College of Dental Medicine from 2003-12. She died June 22 of acute myelogenous leukemia, but the hundreds of mourners who filled the
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theater made clear that her legacy will live on for generations to come. “I can’t help but think how much she would have loved to be here,” said her successor, Dean Carol A. Lefebvre, “doing her Energizer Bunny greetings and giving her famous hugs.” Lefebvre dubbed her the college’s “queen dean,” working tirelessly to optimize oral health in Georgia and nationwide while never taking herself too seriously. From pies in the face to tricycle races to dunking booths, she had a huge sense of fun, Lefebvre noted, quoting Drisko’s advice to “turn up the volume and make every day count.”
A Ball of Energy Caughman, a member of the search committee that recruited Drisko to GRU, recalled that she was “a ball of energy at her interview. She was determined to leave a positive mark on everything she touched, and she did indeed.” Through sheer grit and determination, Caughman said, Drisko turned the new dental building into a reality and laid much of the groundwork for the Education Commons (see page 28). “Those buildings have her footprints all through them,” Caughman said. “She didn’t think small and she didn’t think slow.” GRU Director of Pastoral Care Jeffrey Flowers remembers congratulating her during the dental building’s grand opening. “I asked her, ‘What’s next?’ and she said, ‘Oh, there’s so much more to do! A building is just a building; it’s what we fill it with that matters.’”
A True Gem He laughed that people “shook with fear when she said, ‘You know, I was thinking: Why don’t we. . .’” No one ever doubted that she would manifest her ideas, Flowers said, and they knew a whirlwind of activity would unfold toward that goal.
“Her philosophy,” he said, “was, ‘Why have ideas if you don’t act on them?’” Dr. Richard Valachovic, President and CEO of the American Dental Education Association, remembered her as a trailblazer. “Our world is better off because of who she was,” he said. “She made her opinions known in a way that was heard but respected by others.” Dr. Doug Torbush, President of the Georgia Dental Association,
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concurred. He recalled running into her at a coffee shop in Atlanta once, “and there was not a person in that coffee shop who wasn’t her friend by the time they left,” he said. “She was a true gem.” Torbush was one of many who noted her excellent skills as a cook and entertainer. Drisko, he said, frequently opened her home to others and made them feel like family.
Steel Magnolia Said Dr. Bruce Ashendorf, Chairman of the Hinman Dental Society of Atlanta’s Board of Trustees, “She was warm and effervescent . . . a true steel magnolia. She had tireless energy, wonderful vision, and amazing foresight. Her influence was amazing, and it will be felt for a very long time.” The memorial service also featured art and music, including student Tenecia Harris’ rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” and Kira Dittfurth’s performance of “O Mio Babbino Caro.” The latter performance, fittingly by a member of Drisko’s beloved staff, paid homage to one of her favorite art forms: opera. “It was so obvious,” said Dr. Rhoda Sword, President of the College of Dental Medicine Alumni Association, “that she cared deeply for all of us. She knew we were all capable of
greatness and took great strides to see that we got there.” On behalf of the Alumni Association, Sword presented a portrait of Drisko to the dental school and gave a smaller version to her family. n
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Day of Service Dental Community ‘Adopts’ Art Museum in Late Dean’s Honor
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So many members of the College of Dental Medicine community signed up for GRU’s annual Day of Service, just as they did the year before, that a specific project was created to do justice to the commitment.
The college “adopted” the
Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, with 100-plus CDM volunteers spiffing up its museum and gallery during the daylong workfest Sept. 6.
“It’s evident by the
artwork gracing the walls of the CDM – pieces mostly gathered by her efforts – that Dr. Connie Drisko was an art lover,” says Dean Carol A. Lefebvre of her recently deceased predecessor. “She was also on the institute’s Board of Trustees, and it was here where two roads converged.”
The volunteers painted,
gardened, replaced rotted wood, and even created a walkway for weddings – a lasting tribute to both the community and Drisko. n
continued
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Special Care for Special Needs
by christine hurley deriso
Gracewood Rotation Broadens Perspective for Seniors Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of Word of Mouth articles highlighting community-based dental rotation sites for seniors.
Dr. Kim Willingham (’90) didn’t specifically seek out a challenge serving the developmentally disabled, but the role has proven to be a remarkably good fit. Meeting the Need
needs, and part of our responsibility as dentists is to meet those needs.” Says Dr. Eliza Myers (’09), the clinic’s other full-time dentist, “I feel God has called me to work here. It’s always very rewarding and challenging. I have a very high patience level, and that’s usually all it takes to work with this population: just more time and patience. A little TLC goes a long way.”
“I really enjoy it,” says Willingham, Dental Director of the East Central Regional Hospital’s Gracewood campus. “It’s very challenging. Every day is different and every individual is different. It challenges you to do the best dentistry you can with the resources at hand.” The patients, all adults, have disabilities ranging from autism to cerebral palsy. Some are profoundly mentally retarded and lack the ability to communicate – a particular challenge for the College of Dental Medicine seniors who rotate through the clinic. “Some of the patients can’t communicate pain or discomfort,” says Willingham. “They can’t talk to you. Some are scared, and some just don’t understand what’s going on. Not only are we concerned about their dental needs, but we have to manage a lot of behavioral issues, too. What I try to get across to the dental students is that these individuals are people. They have
A Little TLC And she emphasizes that the TLC is reciprocated in spades. “When I was pregnant with my first baby (now age 3), lots of my patients made me cards,” says Myers, who at press time was expecting her second child any day. “I still have them in my baby book. I’ve formed very tight connections.” The clinic also enables the students to see a stellar example of teamwork. “This is definitely a team approach to dentistry,” says Willingham, who joined the clinic three years ago when invited by a
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dr. kim willingham (back) oversees treatment of a patient. 17
colleague to fill a part-time position that quickly morphed into full time. “Sometimes, I’ll have three other staffers in the room with me. You have to have a compassionate, patient, and understanding team to do this work. I couldn’t do it without them.” Many of the staff members have decades-long tenure, attesting to the dentists’ observation that this population is hard to walk away from. “You see these people living day to day with significant challenges,” Willingham says. “I have great admiration for them.” The students quickly grow to share her awe.
“It has been valuable to be exposed to patients with severe mental health issues as well as profound disabilities,” says Jeremy Edwards, a dental student from Snellville, Ga., who completed the rotation in the fall. “This has broadened my horizons not just in dentistry but for life in general. Seeing these types of patients increases awareness and cultivates compassion.”
Paradigm Shift Dr. Ron Fields, who completed the rotation last year and is now completing a pediatric dental
residency at GRU, concurs. “As a student who wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics, a specialty that treats those with special needs as well as children, I felt the experience would benefit my education,” he says. “Not only was the rotation useful, it was a unique experience and a window into an area of medicine and dentistry that many never have an opportunity to be part of.”
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jeremy edwards with willingham
He also relished the multidisciplinary aspect of the experience. “I was able to observe coordination between different medical and dental specialties,” Fields says. “The patients’ extremely complex medical histories required close coordination with their patient’s primary care physician as well as other specialists.” Says Willingham, think the Ashley Farmer,“IFreshman experience is a bit of a ‘wow.’ The
“Be ready to work very hard.”
students come away with a greater appreciation of the special-needs population and the people who work with them.” Fields couldn’t agree more. “The patients were special and the treatment was needed,” he says. “The way the staff and doctors treated and befriended their patients touched my heart and created a paradigm shift within myself.” “It’s not for everybody,” Myers acknowledges, “but if even two out of 10 students who rotate through our clinic see the value in it, we’ve done our job.”
Individualized Treatment The dentists also cite the advantage of being able to focus solely on patient care. “In public health,” says Willingham, “a lot of
the time. It can be unpredictable; you have to read behaviors. Treatment plans are a lot more individualized for these patients than for others.” Says Fields, “Many of these patients were not always cognizant of the fact that we were providing a service that was helpful to them. Having the confidence to treat them was a challenge in the beginning but turned into a great experience. I was forced to gain confidence in my treatment plan and treatment techniques.” The students also cited the advantage of seeing up close the challenges of limited funding in public health. “The clinic operates within a fairly limited budget,” Edwards says, “and this causes the dental team to make decisions for their patients that may not always be
“Many of these patients were not always cognizant of the fact that we were providing a service that was helpful to them. Having the confidence to treat them was a challenge in the beginning but turned into a great experience. I was forced to gain confidence in my treatment plan and treatment techniques.” –DR. RON FIELDS the worries about the business side of dentistry are eliminated. We’re just there to do what’s best for the patient. I like that.” Of course, the students also see the challenges of working with a special-needs population firsthand. “I think a lot of their initial reaction is, ‘This is a lot harder than I thought it would be,’” says Willingham. “Some of the patients are almost moving targets most of
the most optimal treatment.” Myers agrees. “I wish the clinic had more funding. Our resources are definitely limited, but we are able to do pretty comprehensive care with what we’re given.” She and Willingham are glad the students see the issue up close. “One of my main goals is that they become advocates for public service,” Willingham says.
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A Great Resource Willingham and Myers are immeasurably grateful that the College of Dental Medicine shares their priorities. “The opportunity to have students here has been hugely beneficial,” Willingham says. “The College of Dental Medicine is such a great resource. The faculty is always so accommodating. They understand the importance; even students who don’t go into public health will probably see this type of patient in the future. I wish every student had this experience.” Edwards is glad he did. “It has been an honor to deliver care to these patients,” he says. “They all deserve the best care we can give them.” n
Beginning with a Smile Students Partner with S.C. Farm for Free Screenings By kelly jasper
In the shade of a barn in the center of Costa Layman Nurseries, farm workers duck in and out of a makeshift dental clinic where rolling carts of plants form walls that lend a little privacy while dental students work. The Costa Layman Health Fair, in its ninth year, offers free screenings to more than 300 employees at the Trenton, South Carolina farm, one of the country’s largest perennial farms. The fair is sponsored by the Georgia Regents University College of Nursing but draws students from the Colleges of Dental Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, and Medical College of Georgia. Eye-Opening While workers’ vision, weight, blood pressure, and other health measurements are assessed, the dental screenings are often the most revealing for employees and students alike, says Dr. Carole Hanes, College of Dental Medicine Associate Dean for Students, Admissions, and Alumni. A full 90 percent of employees screened at the Costa Layman Health Fair require referrals for dental care. “It’s a learning experience that is unparalleled for the students. They learn so much in four hours,” Hanes said. “It’s eye-opening for them.” Adriana Castiblanco, a senior dental student and last year’s Hispanic Student Dental Association President, was born in Bogota, Colombia. In her second year volunteering at the health fair, she helped as a translator, provided oral hygiene instructions, screened for oral cancer, and measured probing depths, gingival inflammation, and caries.
“I was very surprised at the number of patients who are not seeing a dentist on a regular basis. Most had not seen a dentist in 10 years,” she says. “It was so common to observe patients who needed several extractions and restorations, or periodontal and removable appliances. It was just as surprising to me to see how receptive and interested these patients were to improve their oral health.”
Prevenir The health fair is but one of many of Castiblanco’s initiatives to improve access to dental care. She recently launched an HSDA program called “Prevenir” (“Prevention”) at the College of Dental Medicine to bring more patients to GRU while helping students fulfill their graduation requirements. “The health fair helped us to reach out to patients who were interested in improving their oral health and receiving services through the College of Dental Medicine. I love to participate in events like this because you make 20
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such a difference in our community. I believe education is key to improving oral health. At the health fair, education is one of the main elements that we use.” Students and their translators begin by providing oral hygiene instructions, followed by a dental exam. Patients move to a second station to have their pocket depths, gingival inflammation, and periodontal condition recorded. Before leaving for other screenings, farm workers are given toothpaste, floss, and brushes, along with brochures in English and Spanish.
Bridging the Gap Karolina Grochowska, a senior dental student at GRU, was part of the group that screened for periodontal disease. “This was my second time volunteering with the Costa Layman Health Fair. I initially became involved because of my interest in providing health care to the Hispanic community,” says Grochowska, treasurer of the GRU HSDA. She regularly volunteers with events serving the Hispanic community, but was still surprised to see the local Hispanic community’s lack of access
to care. “There aren’t enough clinics in the area for low-income patients,” she says. The health fair is one attempt to help bridge the gap, said Debbie Layman, Manager of Costa Layman Farms and a GRU College of Nursing alumna. “We’re committed to making health care and health information as accessible as possible to our workers,” she says. “Over the last eight years, the health fair has performed nearly 2,500 health screenings. These simple tests 22
can empower employees to make decisions that will positively impact their future health. The screenings offer the information needed to make educated choices about how to seek proper health care solutions.”
Tireless Advocates Natasha Diaz-Vidal, a senior dental student, has volunteered with the health fair for three years. “I have seen it grow from a basic event to a sophisticated health screening event with students
receiving clinical experience unlike any other rotation they have in school,” she says. “I was surprised by how encouraged the patients were. Many of the patients we encountered had serious dental needs. I dream of serving communities, like those at the Costa Layman Health Fair, whose language skills often prevent them from gaining access to important information.” Dental students are often tasked with being tireless advocates for preventive care, Diaz-Vidal says. “We work to increase access to information about early detection of oral disease and oral health. We educate patients who lack knowledge about the importance of preventive care.” She’s one of several students fluent in Spanish, which, thankfully, she says, has enabled her to address the dental needs of many nonMARK BRADLE
English speaking patients as well as their children. The language barrier, in addition to a lack of information, embarrassment about poor oral health, or a fear of the dentist can complicate the screening. Many patients are initially apprehensive. The experience, Diaz-Vidal says, forces dental students out of their comfort zones. “My goal is to show patients that despite the ubiquitous fear of the dentist, taking care of one’s oral health is a fun and important part of life,” she says. “Passion is contagious. We need to become involved in the community in order to make a positive impact in someone’s health. Good dental health begins with a smile.” n
“I dream of serving communities, like those at the Costa Layman Health Fair, whose language skills often prevent them from gaining access to important information.” –NATASHA DIAZ-VIDAL
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‘Practicing
Dr. kevin frazier
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What I Preach’ Vice Dean Comes Full Circle at GRU
By CHRISTINE HURLEY DERISO
Dr. Kevin Frazier’s destiny was set in stone by the time he was born – or so his family thought. “There are lots of firefighters in my family – including my dad and oldest brother, who were battalion chiefs – so there was just an assumption I would follow in their footsteps,” says Frazier, who grew up near Baltimore. “Our father-son talk wasn’t about the birds and the bees; it was about me being a firefighter.”
Sunny Optimism Which actually suited Frazier just fine. With his sunny optimism, he has a huge capacity to bloom where he’s planted, and he was certainly proud of his family’s legacy. But as he made his way through high school, he couldn’t help being drawn to his brother-in-law’s profession: dentistry. “My parents would put me on a Greyhound bus to visit my oldest sister in New Jersey,” he says. “I’d go to my brother-in-law’s dental office with him, and although I was fascinated by the technical and artistic aspects of what he did, what really got my attention was that everyone who came in acted like they wanted to be there. They shared all kinds of personal information because of the trust and respect they had for him. I thought, ‘Maybe I could do that.’” His only concerns were an unremarkable academic record and the normal anxieties associated with changing direction. “No one in my immediate family had any significant experience in college, much less graduate school, and I changed schools four times in high school,” says Frazier. “I was literally starting over each year. I was a B student in high school, then I went to two years of community college, where I progressed to a B plus student while working nearly full time for Publix. I needed those two years of stability to mature and gain some confidence.” continued 25
by the time he began his junior year at the University of Florida, he was hitting his stride. “That’s when I became an avid student,” he says. Frazier double-majored in zoology and anthropology, got involved in research, and graduated with high honors. He then spent a year working in a dental laboratory in Ft. Myers, Fla., to raise money for dental school and increase his proficiency in dental skills. By the time he returned to his alma mater for his dental degree, he knew he was on the right path. “Dental school was one of the most satisfying academic experiences I’ve ever had,” he says. “It just came very naturally to me. It was a lot of hard work, but it was fun. I enjoyed the service and leadership opportunities available in that large campus environment.” He even squeezed family life into his schedule, marrying a University of Florida nursing student. “I knew I married well when my wife allowed me to go on my first dental mission trip to Haiti during our first wedding anniversary,” he says.
From Student to Teacher After earning his dental degree and completing a general practice residency, Frazier worked in private practice in Gainesville, Fla., while serving on the University of Florida College of Dentistry faculty part time. He soon joined the faculty full time, acknowledging a somewhat disorienting adjustment period. “I was teaching alongside my former professors, and I could barely bring myself to call them by their first names,” he says. “I always felt a bit intimidated by their vast knowledge and experience.” Still, he had found his version of nirvana: dentistry combined with teaching, which he soon discovered was one of his greatest joys. “Sometimes you’ve got to get up close and personal with
Family Man
As much as Frazier enjoys his job, his chief source of pride is his family. Wife Mimi is Director of Nursing for an ambulatory surgery center. Daughter Kaitlyn is a medical student at Emory University, and her younger sister, Jaclyn, is a senior studying communications and business administration at GRU. The girls are as well-rounded as their dad; Kaitlyn, a newlywed, was Ms. Georgia Tech and an honors graduate in biomedical engineering. Jaclyn is a gifted artist who recently accompanied her dad on a mission trip to Romania. The Augusta area, Frazier says, was a great place for his children to grow up and launch their dreams. Courtesy: Jeri Ann Photography
Hitting His Stride
Dr. Kevin Frazier (from right) with Mimi, Jaclyn, Kaitlyn Frazier-Strickland, and Brad Strickland (Photo provided)
dental students to be effective,” he says, citing the extensive hands-on training involved in teaching clinical skills while modeling and coaching professional behaviors. “We’re with them for four years – weddings are taking place, children are being born – and it’s exciting to witness such a dramatic time in their lives. It’s a real privilege to take that journey with them.”
Natural Rapport He had such natural rapport and affinity with the students that the UF dental school soon asked him to chair the Student Affairs Committee, a challenge he took on with gusto. It was in 1995 that he looked a bit farther north to advance his career. “I saw a job posting (at the Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine) to teach restorative dentistry. I drove up with the family, arriving in Augusta well past 11 26
“Lots of exciting initiatives are underway that can greatly benefit the College of Dental Medicine. Because of my universitywide experience. I fully appreciate the value in these collaborations, and I know who to call for help and advice. I can’t tell you how excited I am about my new role.” –DR. KEVIN FRAZIER
p.m., and remember sitting on the bathroom floor of my motel room after midnight so as not to wake the kids, previewing my slides to prepare for an interview presentation the next day.” He laughs that his hyper-anxiety about the visit stood in stark contrast to the relaxed vibe of those who interviewed him. “Everybody was so easy-going and friendly,” he says.
‘What’s Not to Like?’ He’d been offered the GRU job before he even made it home to Florida, and he accepted it almost just as quickly. “It’s the best move I ever made,” he says simply. “What’s not to like? Augusta is a great place to live and work.” Plus, upon arrival, he found he had ample opportunity to help optimize the student experience. “I chaired the dental Student Affairs Committee like I did in Florida,” he says, “and [Associate Dean] Carole Hanes and I started our dental White Coat Ceremony [formally welcoming dental students into the clinical portion of their training].” He also leveraged his proximity to a liberal arts university (Augusta State University, now the Summerville Campus of GRU) and earned a specialist degree in education. “Our tuition reimbursement program made it very affordable, and the College of Education faculty challenged and inspired me,” he says. To satisfy the coursework requirement to create a campus improvement project from scratch, Frazier in 2008 launched a student service and leadership honor fraternity for GRU: Alpha Upsilon Phi.
Cultivating Leaders “I noticed that most of our good student leaders come from the middle of the class,” he says. “They’re well-rounded, academically competent, extremely ethical, and
compassionate enough to want to make things better for others. I wanted to create an organization that recognized them and cultivated their passions.” He worked with GRU’s Student Government Association, creating a logo and motto for the fraternity, along with extensive collateral materials. “I even had a brochure made up for this fraternity that didn’t technically exist yet,” he says. “I guess I was a pretty convincing salesman, because the project proposal was well-received. My professor encouraged me to do it.” A few months after the project was graded, he’d turned AUPhi into a reality, achieving the daunting task of toppling the de facto silos that often limited interaction between students in different colleges. The fraternity’s inaugural initiation ceremony in May 2008 was the first event to take place in the newly remodeled Auditoria Center.
Extending His Reach Frazier’s initiative got the attention of GRU administrators. “I’d already arranged to interview [then-Provost] Barry Goldstein for an American Dental Education Association leadership project, but when I got to his office, he said, ‘I actually want to talk to you about something else first. All the great student affairs stuff you’ve done in the dental school? I want all our students to have that.’” Frazier was offered the job of Vice President for Student Services and Development campuswide, while still retaining his College of Dental Medicine faculty duties half time. He eagerly accepted, quickly amassing achievements in student development including expanding AUPhi, starting a chapter of the academic honor society Phi Kappa Phi, initiating an interprofessional student leadership class, enhancing the capacity of student health services, and raising the profile of registered student organizations,
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including the Student Government Association. He relished the dizzying pace, but after several years had to concede that he was stretched pretty thin, noting wryly that he had essentially come full circle: “I felt like a fireman at times, trying to respond to urgent situations before they got out of control.”
Jumping at the Chance So when College of Dental Medicine Dean Carol A. Lefebvre recently invited him to come back to the dental college full time – this time as Vice Dean – he jumped at the chance. “Lots of exciting initiatives are underway that can greatly benefit the College of Dental Medicine,” he says, citing examples including a BS-to-DMD degree program, opportunities for health sciences students to pursue an MBA in GRU’s Hull College of Business, and a newly reorganized GRU Faculty Development Office to foster interprofessional opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. “Because of my universitywide experience,” Frazier says, “I fully appreciate the value in these collaborations, and I know who to call for help and advice. I can’t tell you how excited I am about my new role.”
Still in the Trenches He still retains many of his former duties – and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I still teach in student clinics and see patients in the dental faculty practice clinic, both half a day a week,” he says, “along with continuing to contribute to research and scholarship. I thought, ‘If I’m responsible for supporting our faculty, I need to be credible.’ I’m still in the trenches, practicing what I preach.” n
Casino Night The College of Dental Medicine was transformed into a casino, complete with dance floor, blackjack and poker tables, roulette wheel, and a friendly game of craps, during the Sept. 19 faculty social night. The event was co-hosted by the Georgia Dental Association due to the initiative of GRU’s GDA liaison, Dr. Celia Dunn (’90). The event was organized by the Faculty Social Committee: Drs. Kevin Frazier, Jan Mitchell, Elizabeth Schappell, and Nancy Young.n
DR. JAMES CRAY
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‘Best Class Ever’ Alum Credits Classmates’ Generosity with Fundraising Honor By kelly jasper
Dr. Neal Shah’s fundraising efforts for the Georgia chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have earned him the title of Man of the Year. But it’s really his former classmates who deserve the accolades, says Shah (’09). More than half of the Class of 2009 donated to his effort to be the top fundraiser for the society’s annual 10-week campaign in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. Shah, a cosmetic dentist at Feather Touch Dental in Atlanta, raised $87,327. In all, the society raised nearly $750,000, almost $125,000 more than its goal.
Dr. Neal Shah and Krystall Waters, Man and Woman of the Year of the Georgia chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
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Commitment to Volunteerism As a student at GRU, Shah volunteered for Give Kids a Smile, offering free dental care to underserved children, and the Georgia Mission of Mercy, a free two-day dental clinic for low- and no-income adults in Georgia. But the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society campaign marked the most extensive demonstration of his commitment to volunteerism to date. A patient and friend motivated him to sign up for the challenge. “Robert Bolen competed in 2013 for the title of Man of the Year. He raised $37,000 in just 10 weeks on behalf of Lauraine Frank,” Shah says. “Through Robert, I met Lauraine, who had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma four times since she was a 21-year-old junior at Auburn University. Lauraine, who had developed dental issues through chemotherapy, became a patient as well.”
“The dental community really gathered around this cause and donated thousands over the course of just 10 weeks. I have to give a special thanks to the class of 2009 ... the best class ever.”
She’s a testament to the power of resiliency and a positive attitude, Shah says. “Lauraine is truly one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Through her, I learned more about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is, without a doubt, one of the most efficient charitable organizations I have ever encountered,” he says. “Seventy cents of every dollar goes directly to research and patient funding, including co-pays and prescription assistance.”
Lauraine’s Story Bolen and Frank nominated Shah for his own 10-week campaign to raise as much money as he could and compete for the title of Man of the Year. “After hearing Lauraine’s story, how could I possibly say I was too busy?” Shah says. After accepting the nomination, Shah also learned that former College of Dental Medicine Dean Connie Drisko was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. “It motivated me further to help. Blood cancers do not discriminate and can affect anyone.” Shah began by forming a team, which he named Pirates of the Cureibbean. “My selfless team dedicated their time to help champion this cause. Each individual helped throw an event which usually generated $3,000-5,000 each time. My fiancée, and campaign manager, Tejal Kakade, also a College of Dental Medicine 2009 graduate, was hugely instrumental in raising funds. Throwing a charity auction in her hometown, Carrollton, Ga., we raised over $12,000.”
–DR. NEAL SHAH
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Team of the Year The team sent out hundreds of letters to friends, families, and referrals. “The dental community really gathered around this cause and donated thousands over the course of just 10 weeks. I have to give a special thanks to the class of 2009,” which Shah calls “the best class ever.” Over half the class donated significant amounts of money. Their contributions helped skyrocket Shah over his original goal of $50,000. “The award should really be called ‘Team of the Year.’ Without everyone’s help, there was no way I could have raised that amount. I definitely didn’t expect it. I told our team, ‘I’m proud of what we did, and though I’m sure we’ve been beat, what we accomplished was incredible,” Shah says. “I didn’t know the final number, or that I was in the lead, until they called my name on stage. Imagine my surprise when my name was called. I didn’t even have a speech written.” Says Tracy Manning, Senior Manager for the Atlanta Man & Woman of the Year campaign, “Due to tremendous fundraising efforts, we have raised critical funds to find a cure for blood cancers. We couldn’t be happier with their results.” It’s not the figure that matters. It’s what that amount represents, Shah says. “My original goal was to raise $50,000. At that amount, we can fund a research project for a year. We chose multiple myeloma, as one of my dental labs lost a family member to this very disease months before. This is the best part: I know exactly where the funds will be used. They’re going directly to research for better treatments, possible prevention, and cures.” n
STUDENT VOICE The Power of Solidarity: Class of 2015
jackie delash, Class of 2015
Before I began dental school, a mentor told me there were three kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what just happened. Dentists and dental students make things happen – that’s what unites us as leaders in service and our profession. We are not satisfied with the status quo. We can evaluate any situation and with our intelligence, passion, and character leave things better than we found them. As the Class of 2015 began our journey at GRU unsure of the challenges ahead of us, we were both anxious and excited. United in our profession, we would come to spend a vast amount of time together. We worked together. We struggled, celebrated, cried, and laughed ’til we cried together. Most importantly, we grew together and created an enduring bond that characterizes our class solidarity. These trials and challenges have transformed me into the person I am today. No matter my successes or failures, I find continued drive in knowing that my environment is full of support and colleagues at all levels committed to helping me improve my patient care skills. It was not the RVU count, competencies, or graduation requirements completed that have made me happy to go about my
day, but rather how I spend my time in this environment, working among passionate and talented colleagues willing to share their skills and knowledge. Albert Einstein once said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” So how do we count or measure what makes our time here worthwhile? Better yet, how do we continue to make each moment worthwhile? Our connections with patients, faculty, and classmates inspire us in the face of student debt, countless hours studying, and time away from family and loved ones. As graduation approaches, I would like to leave you with three challenges: Take the time to realize we are some of the most fortunate people in the world. Our profession allows us to care for others and be a part of their lives when they are most vulnerable. Individuals come to us for help and trust us with the most intimate and personal details of their lives, yielding to probing questions and probing hands. We have worked hard to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make people’s lives better – to give something of ourselves that will have far-reaching impact on our patients’ happiness and quality of life. Remember this next time you need the motivation to get out of bed at 4 a.m. or work on a 32
weekend or holiday. Don’t underestimate your capacity to bring about change for the better. Stand up for what you believe in and empower others to do the same through mentorship, encouragement, and support. Others will look to you and emulate your attitudes, values, and actions. Think about the leaders who helped you get to where you are today and strive to be that kind of a person. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you do not care who receives the credit. Never stop learning. Consider how much dental knowledge has changed in the last 25 years, or even since we started professional school. Our most important skill is not to memorize or learn everything, but to remain humble and remember we do not and cannot know everything. Stay inquisitive, informed, and engaged. Take the time to teach others. Be open to change and remember we are part of something larger than ourselves. Our reward is our ability to help people on a daily basis while learning from those whose lives we touch. Winston Churchill reminds us that “we make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.” Thank you all for making my time here worthwhile. I will surely cherish it. Keep it classy, class of 2015!
CLASS NOTES Dr. Gregory Goggans (’84) has been appointed to the Georgia Board of Dentistry by Gov. Nathan Deal. Goggans is an orthodontist and part owner of Fender-Goggans Orthodontics in Douglas, Ga. Dr. Renee B. Parrish (’91) works for the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County Dental in Wewahitchka, Fla. Dr. Rico Short (’99) of Apex Endodontics in Smyrna, Ga., is among GRU’s inaugural Jag 20, a group of emerging alumni leaders under age 40 selected by the university. Honorees are selected for significantly advancing their career, community, and alma mater. Dr. Christopher Hasty (’03) of Tifton Regional Dental Group in Tifton, Ga., is among GRU’s inaugural Jag 20, a group of emerging alumni leaders under age 40 selected by the university. Honorees are selected for significantly advancing their career, community, and alma mater. Dr. Rhoda Sword (’03), President of the College of Dental Medicine Alumni Association, on behalf of the Alumni Association presented a portrait of Drisko to the dental school and gave a smaller version to her family. (See page 10.)
Dr. Gary Seeba (’09) will finish his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at LSU New Orleans in June 2015. He plans to enter a group private practice. Dr. William Bennett (MD, ’05 and DMD, ’10) of Foundations Orthodontics in Rome, Ga., is among GRU’s inaugural Jag 20, a group of emerging alumni leaders under age 40 selected by the university. Honorees are selected for significantly advancing their career, community, and alma mater. Dr. Adam Goldberg (’10) of Goldberg Dental Group in Augusta is among GRU’s inaugural Jag 20, a group of emerging alumni leaders under age 40 selected by the university. Honorees are selected for significantly advancing their career, community, and alma mater. Dr. John Bertrand Rose III, who completed his prosthodontics residency at the College of Dental Medicine, owns John Rose III Prosthodontics in Fredericksburg, Va. He serves on various committees of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fredericksburg and was a Eucharist minister for 18 years. He volunteers for the Moss Free Clinic and cofounded the Rappahannock Valley Dental Society.
In Memoriam Dr. Hubert Norman (Hugh) Mazzawi, whose generous donation to the College of Dental Medicine building fund is memorialized by a plaque in the General Practice Residency Clinic, died Jan. 11. Mazzawi founded Drs. Hugh and Anne Mazzawi, P.A., the first dental practice in Snellville, Ga. After retirement, he volunteered at Atlanta’s Ben Massell Clinic. His children, Matthew, Mark, Marty, Miles, and Meagan, all graduated from the College of Dental Medicine.
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