A message from the Dean
Welcome to the latest edition of our School’s Newsletter!
As we finalize the dash to graduating another class of outstanding dental students, it is fitting to reflect on our accomplishments so far this year. First, we continue to expand the scope and depth of our predoctoral training program. In just a few months, the SimLab renovation will be complete, giving us a state-of-the-art facility to deliver outstanding hands-on training, including digital dentistry. Second, next year we will begin renovating the four lecture halls. I am sure you will miss that quaint 1970s ambiance, the creaky chairs, the AV system that almost works and the lovely wood paneling on the walls. This renovation will take some time and require coordination of our lecture schedules. To minimize disruption, we will complete it over two years. More to come on this, and I plan to share the timeline with our department chairs and course directors as soon as possible.
Dr. Diane Sullivan continues to hire outstanding educators, and I am very impressed by the joint hiring of prosthodontists between Dr. Sullivan’s Predoctoral Program and Dr. Hai Zhang’s Graduate Prosthodontics Program. This is a great win-win solution for our School.
Next, the specialty programs continue to provide outstanding training and patient care. In addition, our residents are making a national impact by receiving numerous awards for their research projects and publications. The Graduate Endodontics program just completed its annual community root canal day on Saturday, March 28. In a single day, the residents and alumni (who flew in for the event) completed more than 40 root canals for community members without access to care. It is a great way to show that we do indeed make lives, and smiles, better.
Finally, we are actively recruiting scientists to expand our research centers. Our School is now ranked in the for research, and we do not intend to stop there. All of this success is due to you. Your contributions and drive for excellence continue to guide our School’s growth. Thank you for all you do, and congratulations on all we have accomplished. I look forward to celebrating the graduation of another outstanding class of San Antonio dentists with you on May 18.
Ken Hargreaves, DDS, PhD
Dean