Celebrating the EIOH Class of ‘22

“Always try to see the big picture through the immediate challenges,” Dr. Eliav advised the June graduates. He reflected on the hectic and stressful times everyone is experiencing, stemming from the pandemic, the local and global divisiveness and increasing violence. Add to that the many challenges the profession is facing right now, like the shortages of dental assistants, hygienists, dentists and dental faculty in certain areas.

“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime,” he told the audience. Credited to both Lao Tzu and Confucius, that’s one of his favorite quotes.

“When we are faced with major problems, we must find long term, sustainable solutions,” he emphasized. “It’s key to stay focused on the big picture while you’re dealing with the daily struggles and putting out the fires.”

Dr. Eliav gave a few examples of how EIOH has been working to do just that: The dental assistant training program, the new faculty training program, increased partnerships and collaborations with universities around the world, to name a few.

“When we take small steps together, we will help others, break barriers and make this world a better place,” he said. He strongly encouraged the graduates to get involved in academics, professional associations, research and volunteer work. “Be a part of our exciting future. Our profession needs your fresh thinking, your unique perspectives and your strong leadership to address these critical issues. I know you will all make the world a better place and make us proud.”

Bejan Iranpour Award For Excellence In Clinical Education

Dr. Konstantinos Chochlidakis (Prostho ’13), associate professor and program director, Prosthodontics. Dr. Chochlidakis is a great mentor with a true passion for teaching. His high standards bring out the best in each of his residents. He is enthusiastic, dedicated and hardworking.

Dr. Alexis Ghanem (GenDen ’13, GPR ’14) associate professor and clinic director, General Dentistry. A gifted teacher and skilled clinician, Dr. Ghanem demonstrates high ethical values and is respected by all. He is consistently encouraging and engaging residents and his enthusiasm is contagious.

exceptional. He tailors his teaching and supervision based on each resident’s needs and helps develop their critical thinking skills. He is kind and approachable and ensures every consultation and procedure visit is thoroughly dissected and all teaching points are covered.

Dr. Louis Gallo has served as part time faculty in Orthodontics since 2009. Residents especially love his Practice Management class and his clinical supervision is appreciated because he is organized, disciplined, sets a high standard and has a great sense of humor. Going above and beyond, Dr. Gallo is always willing to help when other colleagues are out.

SHAFFER DEVRIES AWARD

This award is named after Clare Shaffer and Jane Devries for their years of dedication, outstanding service and significant contributions to Eastman and support of the EIOH mission.

JACK G. CATON GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP AWARD to encourage young faculty to stay in academics through recognition and a cash award, was given to Dr. Elli Anna Kotsailidi (Perio ’19, MS ‘20), EIOH assistant professor.

STANLEY L. HANDELMAN FELLOWSHIP AWARD which recognizes graduating general dentists who demonstrate academic excellence, clinical proficiency and interest in pursuing an academic career, was given to Dr. Connie Yoon Winegar.

PART TIME FACULTY AWARD

The Part Time Faculty Award is given to recognize important contributions like impact on student learning, high quality clinical supervision and research mentorship.

Since 2007, Dr. David Anderson has served as part time faculty in our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program. His commitment to residents’ education is

Karen Black, Public Relations director, helps increase awareness locally, nationally and internationally about EIOH’s training programs, complex patient cases, research, and community service. She manages special projects, social media, the website and is the editor and primary writer of Momentum

Holly Soscia, University Dental Faculty Group operations administrator and privacy officer. As the previous administrator for Periodontics and Prosthodontics, she greatly improved the operational efficiency and organization of these departments. Holly has excellent communication skills, manages her many responsibilities well and always remains positive.

*CORRECTION: In the 2022 Momentum, we published the wrong photo representing Dr. Camilo Escobar, who was awarded the Stanley L. Handelman Fellowship. Our apologies!

John Vorrasi, DDS, named chair, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He continues his role as the department’s residency program director.

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, Director, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, presented Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges to EIOH and URMC faculty, staff and residents in May.

Sean McLaren, DDS, MBA (GPR ’03, Pedo ’06, MS ’19, MBA ’22) has been named EIOH chief quality, compliance and safety officer and medical director. He was also elected president, Seventh District Dental Society, NY State, and was inducted into International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, MS (Pedo ’13, MS ’15) named interim chair, Pediatric Dentistry. She continues her role as the department’s residency program director. She was also inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Konstantinos Chochlidakis, DDS, MS, (Prostho ’13) EIOH associate professor and program director for the EIOH Prosthodontics Residency Program, was elected director of the Editorial Council of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry as well as director of the American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation Board. Also in 2022, he was named vice president of the newly established Western New York Chapter of the American College of Prosthodontists and published 17 articles in peerreview journals.

Dr. Dimitrios Michelogiannakis (Ortho ‘17) was recognized by the American Association of Orthodontists with a faculty award.

Dr. David Levy (Pedo ‘77) won a Lifetime Achievement Award as a Healthcare Hero, Rochester Business Journal.

Dr. Domenick Zero (GenDen ’76, MS ’80) for winning the ADA Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research.

Dr. Konstantina Tzouma (Gen Den ’15, GPR ‘16), Dr. Tejal Shastri, and Dr. Basir Barmak (MS ’13, EdD ’16) were promoted to associate professor.

Dr. Aris Panagiotou (Ortho ‘22) joined Orthodontic Experts in Illinois.

The Periodontology and Pediatric Dentistry Residency Programs at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health are the best in the United States, according to Universities.com 2022 rankings and reported by Becker’s Dental & DSO Review.

“This recognition is another outstanding example of how our faculty and staff work so thoroughly and diligently to provide exceptional training for our residents,” said Dr Eli Eliav, EIOH director. “Among the different criteria used is the diversity of the student body and faculty, which we are very proud of.”

The ranking is determined by weighing a variety of metrics and algorithms using the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard, according to its website.

Dr. Chris Calnon (GPR ’09) was inducted into the International College of Dentists

The Pineyro Arch Kit, an implantspecific hygiene instrument, won the Cellerant Best of Class Award. It was designed and invented by Dr. Alfonso Pineyro (Gen Den ‘03, Prostho ‘06).

Dr. Nadia Stephens (GenDen ‘10) was elected to the Special Care Dentistry Association’s Board of Directors. She was also elected to serve on the URMC Faculty Senate.

Dr. Maricelle Abayon (GenDen ’09, MS ’09, GPR ‘10) recruited another dentist, a dental hygiene student, her husband and son to screen 85 Special Olympic athletes at a summer competition.

Dr. Jin Xiao (GenDen ’13, GPR ’14) won a Teledentistry Innovation Award from Mouthwatch, for her team’s pioneering work incorporating artificial intelligence into teledentistry technologies.

Dr. Daisy Salazar (Ortho ‘23) (third from right) represented EIOH at the Professional Advocacy Conference in Washington DC, requesting Congress to prioritize patient access to orthodontic care, small business issues, student loan relief and mail order orthodontics.

Alexis Ghanem (GenDen ‘13, GPR ’14) was elected to the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.

Dr. Alexandra Tsigarida was elected a Trustee of the American Academy of Periodontology Board of Director’s for its 7th District.

Dr. Carlo Ercoli (Prostho ’96, OFP ’97, GenDen ’98, Perio ’12) was elected to the American College of Prosthodontists Board of Directors, responsible for education and research. He was also named chair of the International Team for Implantology for the East USA section, and was named president of the Western New York Chapter of the ACP.

Dr. Junad Khan, director of the Orofacial Pain residency program, presented as a guest speaker on the topic of “Peripherally and centrally mediated masticatory pain” at the Asia-Pacific Dental Federation and Asia Pacific Regional Organization.

Drs. Carlo Ercoli and Shalom Benzaquen joined alum Dr. Izchak Barzilay and his non-profit, Build Your Smile Dental Foundation, to help many Uganda residents in great need of treatment.