Daily achievement is the hallmark of faculty and staff at the UMKC School of Dentistry as they teach, train, inspire and support students on their way to careers in dentistry and dental hygiene. And once a year the school pauses to recognize the many awards, achievements, promotions and comings and goings that result from those everyday yet extraordinary efforts.
On Sept. 19 at the Diastole Scholars’ Center, Dean Marsha A. Pyle presided over that recognition, which included:
Milestone recognitions, ranging from 5 to 45 years of service, for 28 faculty and staff members with more than 450 years’ total service.
7 new faculty members
7 new staff members and 5 new academic personnel
11 retiring faculty members
3 promotions
4 staff awards
10 distinguished teaching awards
12 faculty achievement awards
13 grants in excess of $50,000
Here are those recognized:
New Faculty
Dr. Kenneth Abramovitch, Department Chair & Professor Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine
Prof. Christina Baker, Clinical Assistant Professor, Dental Hygiene
Dr. Daniel Ben Yehuda, Clinical Assistant Professor, Restorative Clinical Sciences
Dr. Moid Karwaa, Clinical Assistant Professor, Restorative Clinical Sciences
Dr. Jean-Marc Retrouvey, Department Chair & Professor, Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
Dr. Bhavika Thakkar, Clinical Assistant Professor, Restorative Clinical Sciences
Dr. John Uhlenhake, Clinical Assistant Professor, Restorative Clinical Sciences
New Staff
Yannet Alvarado, Office Support Assistant IV, Dental Clinic
Schenola Carter, Dental Assistant II Dental Clinic
Jamie Charles, Office Support Assistant, Business Office
Cecily Davis, Office Support Assistant IV, Dental Clinic
Patrick Dixon, Office Support Assistant IV, Research & Graduate Programs
LaRae Vowiell, Academic Support Coordinator, Dean’s Office
Faye Watson, Clinical Technician I, Dental Clinic
New Academic Personnel
Ryan Anderson, Research Assistant, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Liza Cox, Sr. Research Associate, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Vivianne Hass, Postdoctoral Fellow, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Hammad Mumtaz, Postdoctoral Fellow, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Stefanie Uwah, Research Assistant, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Retirements
Dr. Cindy Amyot, Dental Hygiene, 26 years of service-Professor Emerita
Dr. Robert Blundell, Endontoics, 9 years of service-Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus
Dr. Bonnie Branson, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science, 21 years of service-Professor Emerita
Dr. Donna Deines, Restorative Clinical Science 40 years of service, Associate Professor Emerita
Connie Jamison, Periodontics 20 years of service
Dr. Jerald Katz, Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, 32 years of service-Professor Emeritus
Addie Manlove, Oral Surgery and Hospital Dentistry, 39 years of service
Dr.Carole McArthur, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, 28 years of service-Professor Emerita
Dr. Michael McCunniff, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science, 28 years of service-Professor Emeritus
Dr. Jack Nelson, Restorative Clinical Sciences, 7 years of service-Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus
Patricia Webb, Dental Clinic, 9 years of service
Appointments, Promotion & Tenure
Dr. John Ball, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Promoted to Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Kenneth Frick, Endodontics, Promoted to Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Yesim Tunkuc, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Promoted to Clinical AssociateProfessor
Staff Awards
Jania Billups, Research & Graduate Programs, Recipient of the 2019 School of Dentistry True Unsung Hero Award
Alexander Lane, Dental Clinic, Recipient of the 2019 School of Dentistry Collaboration Award
Megan Navarro, Oral Pathology, Radiology, & Medicine, Recipient of the 2019 School of Dentistry Customer Service Award
Monica Rolf, Dental Clinic, Recipient of the 2019 School of Dentistry Student Appreication Award
Teaching Recognition
Dr. Caryn Baker, Dental Hygiene, recipient of the 2019 Dr. Robert Menchetti Junior Faculty Award
Dr. Mark Edwards, Periodontics, recipient of the 2019 Dr. Samuel E. Hayes Part Time Faculty Award
Dr. Jacob McGuire, Oral Pathology, Radiology, & Medicine, recipient of the 2019 Dr. David L. Moore Excellence in Teaching Award
Prof. Tanya Villapando-Mitchell, Dental Hygiene,recipient of the 2019 Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Award
Dr. Connie White, Restorative Clinical Sciences, recipient of the 2019 Dr. Gary Newman Award for Faculty Leadership
Distinguished Teaching Award
Dr. Robert Blundell, Endodontics, Clinic, Lecture
Prof. Sally Elledge, Dental Hygiene, Clinic
Dr. Eric Gottman, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Lecture
Prof. Connie Jamison, Periodontics, Clinic
Dr. Mark Johnson, Oral & Hospital Dentistry, Lecture
Dr. Solon Kao, Oral Surgery & Hospital Dentistry, Clinic
Dr.Jacob McGuire, Oral Pathology, Radiology, & Medicine, Lecture
Prof. Lorraine Rauckman, Periodontics, Lab
Dr. Tom Russell, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Clinic
Dr. Steven Stoner, Periodontics, Lecture
Achievement
Prof. Christina Baker, Dental Hygiene, Recipient of the Clinical Faculty of the Year award, Dental Hygiene class of 2019 and the Lecture Faculty of the Year award, Dental Hygiene class of 2020
Prof. Sally Elledge, Dental Hygiene, Appointed Interim Director of the Division of Dental Hygiene, recipient of the Student Council Lecture faculty of the year award, Dental Hygiene class of 2019
Dr. Liz Kaz, Dean’s Office, Appointed Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Dr. Lance Godley, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Appointed Vice Chair of the department of Restorative Clinical Sciences and Director of the Somer’s Clinic
Dr. Carole McArthur, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Recipient of the Alumni Hero award from the University of Otago, New Zealand
Dr. Aparna Naidu, Oral Pathology, Radiology, & Medicine, Recipient of the Lecturer of the Year award, Dental class 2019
Prof. Ashely Ryan, Dental Hygiene, Recipient of the Clinical Faculty of the Year award, Dental Hygiene class of 2020
Prof. Mabel Salas, Periodontics, Recipient of the Clinical Faculty of the Year award, Dental Hygiene class of 2020
Dr.. Melanie Simmer-Beck, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science, Appointed Chair of the department of Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science
Dr. Becky Smith, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Dentists
Dr. Rebeca Weisleder, Endodontics, Appointed Chair of the department of Endodontics
Dr. Connie White, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Appointed Interim Associate Dean of Clinical Programs
Service
Dr. John Ball, Restorative Clinical Sciences, ACP Region #3 Membership Director; Director of the Graduate Prosthodontic Research Competition for the American Prosthodontic Society, JPD and Journal of Prosthodontics editorial review boards, ACP commissioner for the ADA Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition
Dr. Tim Cox, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Treasurer & member of the Advisory Committee, Society for Craniofacial Genetics & Developmental Biology; serves as an editorial review board member and manuscript reviewer for Frontiers in Physiology, AIMS Genetics, Journal of Dental Research, Scientific Reports, The Laryngoscope, Journal of Zhejiang University, Disease Models & Mechanisms, BONE, BBA Gene Regulatory Mechanisms; panel member for the Swiss National Science Foundation, Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council UK, Medical Research Council UK, and NIH Special Emphasis Panel
Dr. Shara Dunlap, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Team captain and lead examiner for WREB
Prof. Sally Elledge, Dental Hygiene, Dental Hygiene CODA site visitor
Dr. Kenneth Frick, Endodontics, Treasurer for the College of Diplomats of the American Board of Endodontics; member of the American Association of Endodontists Educational Affairs Committee and the Scientific Advisory Board of the Journal of Endodonticss
Dr. Lynn Friesen, Research & Graduate Programs, Manuscript reviewer for Journal of Dental Education, Dove Medical, & the Journal of Oral Health & Craniofacial Science; serves on the UMKC Faculty Program Evaluation Committee & the Faculty Senate Welfare Committee
Dr. Lorie Holt, Dental Hygiene, Manuscript reviewer for Journal of Dental Education; serves on the UMKC HLC Steering Committee, Provosts Fellow, UM System Mid-Career Taskforce, UMKC Campus Director-UM Faculty Scholar Program; member of the Faculty Institute for Teaching Inclusive Curriculum; UMKC Diversity Advocate. Chair-elect POD Healthcare Educational Developers SIG.
Dr. Mark Johnson, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences , Secretary of the University Budget Committee; Chair of the Faculty Senate Budget Committee; Chair for the Vice Chancellor for Research Search Committee
Dr. Carole McArthur, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Serves on the editorial boards of Archives of Oral Biology and International Journal for AIDS; manuscript reviewer for Journal of Tuberculosis Research, International Journal of Tuberculosis Research; grant reviewer for Consortium of Universities for Global Health and NIH ZRG1 MOSS-S(02)Scientific Program Advisory Committee reviewer for CUGH.
Dr. Aparna Naidu, Oral Pathology, Radiology, & Medicine, Member of Laboratory Services Committee & Scientific Program Audiovisual Committee; American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology; manuscript reviewer for Triple O Journal
Dr. Joanna Scott, Research & Graduate Programs, Manuscript reviewer for the Evaluation & Program Planning Journal
Dr. Melanie Simmer-Beck, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science, Serves on the ADEA Legislative Advisory Committee; Oral Health Kansas Board of Directors; editorial review board for the Journal of Dental Hygiene; manuscript reviewer for Periodontology 2000 and the Journal of School Nursing; NIH peer reviewer
Dr. Becky Smith, Restorative Clinical Sciences ADEA Councilor of Comprehensive Care & General Dentistry; member of the Oral Health Kansas Board; manuscript reviewer for Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology and Journal of Dental Education
Dr. David Thein, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science, Serves as Councilor and outgoing Chair of theADEA- Practice Management; writes monthly column in the Missouri Dental Journal Focus magazine on Practice Perspectives
Prof. Marsha Voelker, Dental Hygiene, President of Sigma Phi Alpha Supreme Chapter; serves on the editorial review board for the Journal of Dental Hygiene
Dr. Mary Walker, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Serves as AADR National Student Research Group Board Faculty Advisor; editorial board member of the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implantology; Adhoc review for multiple journals; and serves on the UMKC Graduate Council and the UMKC Research Advisory Council
Dr. Yong Wang, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Serves as an editorial board member for the Applied Adhesion Science & Polymer-Plastics Technology & Materials; NIH review panel member for the Orthopedic, Skeletal Muscle & Oral Sciences and the Oral, Dental, & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Rebeca Weisleder, Endodontics, Serves on the American Association of Endodontics membership committee and the editorial board member for the Journal of Endodontics
Dr. Connie White, Restorative Clinical Sciences, Installed as the next President of the Academy of General Dentistry
Research & Scholarship
Dr. Tim Cox, Oral & Craniofacial, 5 publications in peer reviewed journals
Dr. Kenneth Frick, Endodontics, 2 publications in peer reviewed journals, textbook chapter as co-author
Dr. Paul Hansen, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, 2 publications in peer reviewed journals
Dr. Carole McArthur, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, 2 publications in peer reviewed journals
Dr. Joanna Scott, Research & Graduate Programs, 8 publications in peer reviewed journals
Dr. Melanie Simmer-Beck, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Sciences, 3publications peer reviewed journals
Dr. Rong (Rose) Wang, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, 2 publications in peer reviewed journals
Dr. Yong Wang, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, 8 publications in peer reviewed journals
Grants in Excess of $50,000
Prof. Catherine Boles, Periodontics
Dr. Bonnie Branson, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Sciences
Dr. John Cottrell, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Tim Cox, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Sarah Dallas, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Lynn Friesen, Research & Graduate Programs
Dr. Mark Johnson, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Carole McArthur, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Michael McCunniff, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Joanna Scott, Reserach & Graduate Programs
Dr. Melanie Simmer-beck, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science
Dr. Mary Walker, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Yong Wang, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
5 Years of Service
Shelby Gentry, Dental Clinic Emily Koerster, Dental Clinic Pamela McCarrison, Dental Clinic
Dr. Melynda Meredith, Restorative Clinical Sciences
Lynn Prine, Dental Clinic
Sylkia Reese, Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
Dr. Tom Russell, Restorative Clinical Sciences
10 Years of Service
Dr. Alison Louie, Restorative Clinical Sciences
Donald Parmalee, Dental Clinic
Jeff Primos, Business Office
Dr. Marsha Pyle, Dean’s Office
15 Years of Service
Brenda Cindrich, Dental Clinic
Dr. Sharla Dunlap, Restorative Clinical Sciences
Kylie Lark, Dental Clinic
Dr. Keerthana Satheesh, Periodontics
Dr.Melanie Simmer-Beck, Dental Public Health & Behavioral Science
Rosie Weaver, Restorative Clinical Sciences
Yixia Xie, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
20 Years of Service
Diane Elliot, Dental Clinic Connie Jamison, Dental Clinic
Dr. Ronald Riley, Endodontics
Dr. Yong Wang, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
25 Years of Service
Della Damon, Business Office
John Pinkston, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
30 Years of Service
Carmen Jaramillo, Dental Clinic
35 Years of Service
Ellen Morton, Endodontics
40 Years of Service
Dr. Donna Deines, Restorative Clinical Sciences
45 Years of Service
Bill Marse, Biomedical Communications
Enjoy photos from the event here.