Weddings

Dr. Dimitrios Michelogiannakis and Dr. Elli Anna Kotsailidi were married August 26, 2022.

Liam Luka

Dr. Kyle Mecca (OMFS ‘24) and Kaylee Mecca were married in June, 2022.

Dr. Navraj Singh Sandhu (OMFS ‘23) and his wife Gurveer Sandhu were married June 10, 2021.

Dr. Molly Christie (OMFS ’24 and Chris Dickinson were married September 17, 2022.

Diane

Dr. Sergio Varela Kellesarian (GenDen ‘17, MS ‘18) welcomed son Liam Luka May 17, 2022.

Olivia

Dr. Lisa Kulig (Pedo ‘20) welcomed daughter Diane April 9, 2022.

Mikhaila

Dr. Jitin Mathew (OFP ’23) welcomed daughter Mikhaila Ann, born April 30, 2022.

Molly

Dr. Sergio De Lascurain (GenDen ‘19) welcomed daughter Olivia August 22, 2021.

Dr. Lauren Vitkus (Ortho ‘16) and Dr. Tim Calnon (Ortho ‘15) welcomed daughter Molly Elizabeth February 8, 2023.

Babies

Dr. William McHugh

Dr. William McHugh, who served as the director of Eastman Dental Center from 1970– 1994, passed away October 6, 2022. He was 93.

Dr. McHugh, who also served as professor and associate dean for Dental Affairs at the University of Rochester, was born in England, grew up in Scotland and graduated from St. Andrew’s University Dental School in 1950. After two years’ service as a Dental officer in the Royal Air Force, he embarked on a career combining clinical practice, teaching and research.

Among his many accomplishments, Dr. McHugh is well known for spearheading Eastman Dental’s relocation to the University of Rochester Medical Center campus at its current location on Elmwood Avenue. The new building was dedicated in 1978 and the close proximity proved integral to fostering the relationship and eventual merger with the University.

Dr. McHugh is credited with initiating a clinical teacher training program between the University and Eastman Dental Center, as well as helping create the Department of Clinical Dentistry within the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.

He recruited Dr. Bill Bowen as chair of the Department of Dental Research, as well as many other outstanding faculty members.

Dr. McHugh’s leadership in the profession was evident throughout his career and was recognized when he received the Distinguished Service Award of the National Institute of Lund in Sweden. Additionally, he was president of the British Society of Periodontology, president of the American Association of Dental Research, president of the International Association of Dental Research and vice-president of the American Association of Dental Schools. He was a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Leonard Fishman (Ortho ’61)

Dr. Leonard Fishman, a groundbreaking researcher, longtime orthodontist in private practice, and part-time professor of orthodontics at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health for more than 50 years, died in November 2022 at age 89.

Dr. Fishman, also an award-winning sculptor, was unfailingly optimistic, generous and unassuming, with a broad smile and infectious attitude. He never denied orthodontic treatment to anyone unable to pay.

“Words cannot express how heartbroken I was to hear about the passing of a wonderful mentor, and friend,” said Dr. Shaima Malik (Ortho ’14). “Dr. Fishman has been an inspiration to all of us. He was always there to offer his help, support and guidance. His outstanding advice and efforts to bring out the best in us are immeasurable.”

After earning his dentistry degree at Temple University, Dr. Fishman spent two years in the United States Army as a dentist; after a one-week course in orthodontics there, he decided to become an orthodontist. He spent a year in the Eastman’s Pediatric Dentistry program before being accepted into the Orthodontic program.

Dr. Fishman started his private practice in Syracuse by borrowing $3,000 from a bank, renting a very small, third-floor office, and buying furniture whose aesthetic he once labeled as “Early American Lawn Chair.”

He later helped form a cleft palate treatment team at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

Through pioneering research, Dr. Fishman designed and wrote software for his company Growth-Tek that used patient X-ray data to better identify the maturity level of a skeleton. This information allowed him to more accurately predict future growth patterns in patients, allowing for more effective and efficient treatments, such as installing braces.

Dr. Fishman was a faculty mentor to many, including Dr. Joseph Sweet (Ortho ’98), now clinical associate professor at Eastman.

“I think we can all agree that this process with him, while challenging and a lot of work, always ended up being rewarding and a lot of fun,” he recalled. “We always went back to him eager to learn more. Looking back now, I think that process was also part of his genius.”

“As a teacher, he always focused on the good first, building confidence,” recalled Dr. Sweet. “Then, very subtly, he would begin to strengthen and improve one’s weaknesses seemingly without us even knowing he was doing it.”

Dr. Fishman was known as “Doc” and “Poppa Fish,” the latter a reference to the father of three being supportive of oldest son Jon, drummer of the band Phish. Phish fans came to know him well—sometimes including him in their family celebrations. He also is survived by son David and daughter, Julie. His wife, Mimi, passed away in 2001.

In retirement, Dr. Fishman made the 90-minute drive three days a week from his Skaneateles Lake home to Rochester to teach and assist Eastman residents with their research.

“I get very close to the residents and value and respect their friendship,” Dr. Fishman said in 2014. “There’s something in our department that bonds all of us together. We have very bright, highly motivated residents who love to learn. Why wouldn’t I do this?”

A lifelong learner, Dr. Fishman took classes in art and welding, became skilled in black-and-white photography, and won top awards for his original stone sculpting work using alabaster.

“There will only ever be one Len,” said Dr. Sweet. Which is really sad, because the world needs more Len Fishmans.

Dr. Alexander Waitkus (Ortho ’74, MS ’76)

After joining the U.S. Army in pursuit of better opportunities beyond the coal mines, Dr. Waitkus attained the rank of Sergeant as a radar instructor. After the army, he earned an Electrical Engineering degree from West Virginia University.

At the school’s student dental clinic, he became the patient of his future wife, Nancy Ann Burton, a dental student there.

Together, they worked in Roanoke, Virginia, he for General Electric, she practicing dentistry. On track for a promising engineering career, his ambitions and Nancy Ann’s encouragement inspired him to return with the family to Morgantown, WV., where he graduated from West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1970.

In 1972, their family moved to Rochester, NY, both accepted to Eastman Dental’s residency programs. He earned a certificate in Orthodontics and his wife earned a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Two years later, he earned his master’s in science degree from the University of Rochester. His research project focused on developing a treatment for cleft palate, under the mentorship of Dr. J. Edward Gilda. He presented the results, The Effects of Autogenous Perisoteal Transplants to Facial Sutures, at the 55th General Session Conference for the International Association for Dental Research in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he won the Edward H. Hatton Award, First Place, Graduate Division.

Later, he opened a solo orthodontic practice before opening a second practice with his wife in Colonial Heights. In the latter part of his career, Dr. Waitkus practiced orthodontics in Virginia Beach, Va., until his retirement.

Other EIOH Alumni Who Have Recently Passed Away

Dr. John Hanson (Ortho ’03), d. October 29, 2022

Dr. Howard Aduss (Ortho ’62), d. August, 2022

Sheila A. Crum, graduate of Eastman’s School for Dental Hygienists, d. July 20, 2022

Dr. Alexander Waitkus (Ortho ’74, MS ‘76), d. May 2, 2022

Dr. Ernest Rider (Ortho ‘64), d. April 20, 2022

Manuele Trevisani, graduate of Eastman’s School for Dental Hygienists, d. March 24, 2022

New Era, continued from page 3.

Diekwisch said. “I’m looking forward to working with a group of faculty and scientists all dedicated to studying the interface between oral-craniofacial biology, medical, and dental-clinical sciences. This focus has been the very reason for me to move to the United States more than 30 years ago, and it has remained the focus of my work throughout my career.”

Dr. Diekwisch received a PhD in Anatomy from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, a PhD in the Philosophy of Science from the Institute for Philosophy and a DMD from the School of Dentistry at PhilippsUniversity of Marburg, Germany. Prior to his return to Texas, he served as director of the Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics and the Allan G. Brodie Endowed Chair at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry and later was appointed professor and Head of the Department of Oral Biology at the UIC College of Dentistry.

Dr. Diekwisch’s other research interests include periodontics, stem cells and tissue engineering, chromatin, epigenetics, and microRNAs, craniofacial development, enamel formation and evolution and history of science.

Levy, continued from page 17.

In private practice for three decades, Dr. Levy cared for children of working-class families and children with development disabilities.

Dr. Levy passed along his knowledge to former EIOH students in an environment of respect and mutual learning— using a combination of facts, personal experiences, stories, and probing questions.

“Without fail, former EIOH residents come up to me at annual national meetings and their first question is, ‘How is Dr. Levy doing?’” said Dr. Sean McLaren, chair of Pediatric Dentistry at EIOH. The question inevitably comes with a request to pass along a hello, along with an anecdote about what technique, style, or suggestion Dr. Levy had once imparted.

“Then it’s always followed by the headshake and ‘He’s probably one of the best people I have ever met in my life,’” Dr. McLaren added.

Devoted to EIOH as an institution, Dr. Levy also was instrumental in keeping operations running smoothly during management changes, stepping in as both interim chair and program director.

Described as loyal, generous, and having an uncanny ability to read people, Dr. Levy, who is also an avid birder, is a well-respected motivator and valuable resource for a field that has been the focus of a lifetime pursuit.

EIOH Chief Operations Officer Holly Barone, who has worked with Dr. Levy for 28 years, put it this way: “His commitment to being the best, clinician, educator, researcher, community service, and overall human being is second to none.”