School of Dentistry deans (l-r):  Dr. Michael Reed,  Dr. Pamela Overman, Dr. Harvey Eplee,  Dr. Ed Ellyson, Dr. David Clark and Dr. John Killip.

The UMKC School of Dentistry has changed. Not only has the school’s building changed, thanks to an $18.2 million renovation project, but the school’s administration has changed, as well, due to some much deserved retirements. Over the past couple of years the school has sadly but fondly bid farewell to Assistant Dean for Clinical Programs Dr. James K. Hocott, Assistant Dean for Business Affairs Gale C. Hankins, Assistant Dean for Student Programs Dr. Daniel E. Tira, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. William E. Mayberry.

“As much as we regret the absence of their experience and guidance,” said Dean Michael Reed, “ we are equally pleased by the caliber of the individuals who have taken up where the previous deans left off.”

Dr. David M. Clark joined the UMKC faculty as the assistant dean for Clinical Programs and clinical professor of general dentistry in October 1999. A 1979 graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee , Wis. , Dr. Clark had been serving as a member of their clinical faculty since 1992. His duties there had included director of Clinical Education and Patient Care. From 1979 to 1994 he had served as an administrator and dentist for the Wisconsin Health Fund Dental Clinic.

Edgar J. Ellyson joined the School of Dentistry as assistant dean for Business Affairs in August 2000. Although Ellyson is new to the school, he’s no stranger to UMKC. Since 1971 he worked in the University’s Office of Grants and Contracts, serving as its director since 1982. He also earned an MBA degree from UMKC in 1969 and a Ph.D. degree in higher education administration in 1980. Throughout his career he has been an active volunteer for professional and community organizations as well as numerous University committees and activities.

Harvey C. Eplee (D.D.S. ’71) serves as an associate professor and assistant dean for Information Technology, Patient, and Facilities Management. Dr. Eplee earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas in 1976 and a master’s degree of jurisprudence from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago in 1991. Eplee joined the UMKC dental faculty in 1974 as an assistant professor in the Department of Preventive Dentistry. He also has served in the areas of periodontics, oral diagnosis, and quality assurance.

John Killip (D.D.S. ’68) was appointed assistant dean of Student Programs during the summer 2001. Dr. Killip, who came to the UMKC faculty in 1987 from private practice, has been the coordinator of the Operative Section of the Restorative Department. Killip also serves the UMKC campus community as project leader for the UMKC Blueprint project PRIDE (Promotion, Recognition through Investment in the Development of Excellence). Having been the ADEA 2000 Gies Educational Fellow, he is currently serving as the ADEA chair of the Council of Faculties.

Pamela Overman (DH ’72, M.S. ’80) was appointed assistant dean for Academic Affairs during the summer 2001. Previously, Overman had served as the director of the UMKC Division of Dental Hygiene since 1984. Overman earned a doctoral degree in education policy and leadership from the University of Kansas in the spring 2001. She currently serves as the ADHA commissioner to the Commission on Dental Accreditation and as the ADEA chair of the Council of Allied Dental Educators.