Dean’s Message ..................................................................Inside Cover Alumni President Message

Letter from the Alumni President

It’s 2022! Recently, it seems like every year has produced new challenges, but the OU College of Dentistry continues to thrive! For those of you who don’t know me, I am Nathan Brown. I was in the graduating class of 2007. Although my career as a dentist began then, I have always been around the field. My dad, Dr. S. Kelly Brown, was in the very first class in 1976, and, in turn, dentistry became my passion as well. Since graduation, I have served in multiple roles with the Oklahoma Dental Association, the J. Dean Robertson Society Board of Trustees, and currently serve as president of the college’s Alumni Association.

This past year was extremely eventful at the school. As most of you already know, Dr. Raymond Cohlmia stepped down as dean and took the role of executive director for the American Dental Association. Though his presence will be dearly missed, we are confident that he will improve the field of dentistry for the better.

Dr. Paul Mullasseril was named the college’s fifth dean, and we are thrilled to work with him as he leads us into the future. I know it took a lot of hard work, dedication, late nights and weekends to keep the school running smoothly and efficiently during this transition. I commend everyone involved!

That dedication is an excellent reminder of why I enjoy being involved in the alumni association. Not only are our faculty dedicated, but so are our students. I recently had the opportunity to speak with several students currently in the program. They all expressed extreme gratitude for continuing their education this year, and many were very grateful to have received financial support. Those conversations made me realize just how much the donations to the J. Dean Robertson Society impact our school and future colleagues.

As you know, your gifts each year to the J. Dean Robertson Society support student scholarships. In addition, gifts to the JDR Society fund indigent care, student externships, research projects, tutoring, and help with continued renovations that allow for an excellent clinical learning environment. The student externships provide our students with additional opportunities to receive hands-on clinical care in underserved communities. These also help uninsured or underinsured patients receive affordable dental care and provide patients access to dental care in rural areas.

Recently, the school dedicated practices within the Miranda Clinic in honor of the Harroz Family (Drs. Edward Harroz, Jr. and Edward Harroz, III) and the Brown and Hookom Families (Drs. S. Kelly Brown, Nathan Brown, and Mathew Hookom) in recognition of recent philanthropic contributions. Recognizing the exceptional opportunities that the J. Dean Robertson Society provides, our families felt compelled to make additional investments in the growth and improvement of our students and the future of dentistry. We are sincerely grateful for everything that the college has provided to us throughout the years and are humbled that we could give back and invest in strengthening our program and students so they can continue to serve our communities for many years to come.

This year marks the college’s 50th anniversary of admitting its inaugural dental class, and we have some phenomenal news! The College of Dentistry is opening a second location in Tulsa! The new dental clinic will be located in the OU Health Schusterman Center, and Dr. Rieger Wood was appointed director of clinical operations. This clinic will help fulfill one of the school’s primary responsibilities of improving the oral health of Oklahomans. We are excited to expand access to affordable dental care to the northeast corner of Oklahoma. Now that’s something to look forward to!

Additionally, in celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary, plans are underway for a big celebration this fall (COVID permitting). Be on the lookout for more details coming soon. I cannot wait to see old friends, classmates, and faculty. Until then, I hope you will reflect on this year and remember all things you are blessed with, one of which is the ability to serve others through your education as an OU College of Dentistry graduate. Please join me in continuing to show financial support to the college so that we continue to produce some of America’s most outstanding dentists. I wish you all health and happiness in this new year.

Nathan K. Brown, D.D.S. Class of 2007