Dean Cataldo W. Leone
Assistant Dean, Development & Alumni Relations
Catie Dargue
Director, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving
Stacey McNamee
Assistant Dean, Finance & Administration
Charis Anderson McCarthy
Principal Designer
Kate Cunningham
Writers
Rachel Philipson
Junior Writer, Communications & Outreach
Rachel Farrell
Senior
Photography
Dan Bomba
Multimedia Content
Dave Green
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smcnamee@bu.edu
TODAY, THE LARGEST PROGRAM AT THE HENRY M. GOLDMAN SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE IS ITS FOUR-YEAR DOCTOR OF DENTAL MEDICINE—BUT THAT WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. AS MANY OF YOU LIKELY KNOW, OUR SCHOOL WAS FOUNDED IN 1963 TO PROVIDE POSTDOCTORAL EDUCATION IN DENTISTRY. IT WASN’T UNTIL ALMOST A DECADE AFTER THE SCHOOL’S FOUNDING THAT IT DIPPED ITS TOES INTO PREDOCTORAL WATERS, ADMITTING IN THE SUMMER OF 1972 ABOUT 25 INTREPID INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON OUR SCHOOL.
It has now been 50 years since that first class graduated from GSDM with their Doctors of Dental Medicine and launched their careers. They’ve gone on to do remarkable things—some of which you can read about in this issue’s cover feature—and they certainly set a high bar for all the classes that have followed in their footsteps.
Fifty years can feel both short and long at the same time. I’m sure many members of the Class of 1975 would say that it feels like just yesterday that they were walking across the stage at graduation. And indeed, many things at GSDM have remained constant, including our commitment to ensuring our students graduate with the knowledge and skills they’ll need to be competent, independent providers. At the same time, it is remarkable to see how much dental education and the profession itself have evolved in the last half century, including, most notably, all the advancements in dental technology that have occurred.
As I was shaking the hands of the school’s most recent graduates at the 2025 Commencement, I was thinking about the Class of 1975 and how far we’ve come—as well as the future Class of 2075 and what our profession will look like at that future date. While I may not be here for that milestone and am sure that many things will have changed by then, I am confident that the strong foundation that GSDM provides its graduates will remain constant.
I hope to see you at one of the alumni receptions we hold throughout the year! And if you find yourself in Boston, please come visit us.
Sincerely,
Cataldo W. Leone, DMD, DMedSc, FACD, FICD Dean and Spencer N. Frankl Professor in Dental Medicine
BY RACHEL PHILIPSON
THE FIRST DMD CLASS:
On August 28, 1972, the inaugural class of predoctoral students at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine embarked on their first day, making school history in the process. These students—the Class of 1975—achieved another major milestone this year as they became Boston University “Golden Terriers,” in recognition of the 50th anniversary of their graduation.
But back on the first day of school in 1972, the members of the Class of 1975 would have been forgiven for questioning whether they’d make it through the first year, let alone to their 50th reunion, as they were greeted with the pounding rat-tat-tat of jackhammers, part of the construction to expand the building to its current seven stories.
Instead of fleeing from the noise of jackhammers, though, the classmates immediately bonded, thus coining the class’s unofficial motto: “Don’t worry about it.”
The Class of 1975 was excited to be led by renowned educator and dental industry leader Dr. Henry M. Goldman, GSDM’s founding dean. Stephen C. DuLong CAS 72 DMD 75 PROS 78, GSDM clinical professor emeritus of general dentistry, said it was a privilege to be affiliated with Goldman.
“I thought it was an adventure that we were the first people going through [this],” DuLong said. “When [people] heard [Goldman] started his own school, [they] were very curious about how the school was going to make out. We felt a kind of honor of being the first to go through.”
The class size was much smaller than the school’s predoctoral programs today: just 23 graduates instead of the roughly 115
students in today’s DMD class. Paul Brosnan DMD 75 ORTHO 81 said the small class created a sense of solidarity among him and his peers, especially since they were the only people who could appreciate the specific challenges they were facing.
“We had a very good class. We all hung out together,” Brosnan said. “We realized we were the first to dip our toes in the BU Goldman School of Dentistry. We survived, [it was] a little rocky at times, but we survived and excelled.”
The Class of 1975 is also unique in that it is the only class to complete the school’s predoctoral program in three years. Starting with the students who entered in 1973, the school added a year to the curriculum to make it a four-year program.
Barry Baiorunos DMD 75 said the tight-knit class was never overly competitive with each other, instead just wanting everyone to be the best they can be.
“At BU, we were a pretty cohesive group [with] people helping one another,” Baiorunos said. “But at other schools, it was not unheard of for a student to cutthroat his
peers in order to get ahead in class standing. That never existed [for us].”
Bruce Sallen CAS 72 DMD 75 also expressed his appreciation for the class’ strong rapport, saying it was nice to be able to joke around with classmates-turned-friends about everything they were jointly experiencing.
“I certainly developed a sense of humor going to BU,” Sallen said. “We always used to kid around a lot about what we were going through. I think there was some camaraderie there. That was certainly something that you definitely got from the school…We were a fairly tight unit altogether.”
The pace of the program was non-stop: Robert L. Mandell DMD 75 said he and his classmates went to class 49 weeks a year, with one week off for winter, spring, and summer breaks. Despite the rigorous curriculum, Mandell said that his peers were determined to go above and beyond the minimum requirements.
“Even though there were guidelines and requirements, just because we made a requirement didn’t mean we would stop pursuing excellence in our dental education,” Mandell said.
GOLDMAN’S VISION OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:
“ We got this tremendous background in medical sciences that underlie all the mechanical aspects of dentistry, and this was different.”
STEPHEN C. DULONG CAS 72 DMD 75 PROS 78
In many ways, the academic experience of the Class of 1975 looked similar to that of the school’s current predoctoral students. They spent the first half of their program focused on didactic courses and the second half in the clinic. The curriculum—especially as it was completed in three years—was rigorous, providing students with a solid foundation in basic science and dental anatomy, and teaching them the skills and knowledge they would need to be competent clinicians.
But the students in the Class of 1975 were also the very first predoctoral students to enter the school, and the school administration faced the challenge of adjusting the postdoctoral dental educational program to match the needs of these less-experienced students. Baiorunos said both the students and faculty had to be willing to work with each other to figure out the kinks and help shape the program into its final form.
“I think we knew the challenges that the school was facing, and they can’t rely on ‘We’ve always done it this way,’” Baiorunos said. “It was the first time we were getting lesson plans from
instructors who had never taught [these] courses [before] and finding general dentistry patients but, we had to roll with those punches too.”
A quintessential part of the predoctoral curriculum was providing students with a strong foundation in the biological sciences. To do so, the Class of 1975 took classes in these subjects alongside students from Boston University School of Medicine (now Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine). Multiple alums noted Goldman’s passion for the biological sciences and determination for his new predoctoral students to be academically well-rounded. DuLong said taking courses with medical students and being graded on the same curve pushed his thinking and greatly benefited him later in his career.
“We got this tremendous background in medical sciences that underlie all the mechanical aspects of dentistry, and
this was different. I don’t know any other school where the dental students were actually in the same classes with medical students,” DuLong said. “That education is something that I cherish. My medical background helped grow my practice and grow my prestige in my profession. I’m tremendously grateful for that.”
Perhaps most importantly, the Class of 1975 learned that their dental education didn’t end when dental school did. Goldman and fellow faculty frequently reinforced the philosophy that dentists should be lifelong learners, alumni said, which helped prepare them for the ever-evolving dental profession they were entering.
“Goldman [would] tell us that [our predoctoral program] was just the beginning of our education and it would be a lifetime of education,” Mandell said. “He certainly was prophetic when he made that statement.”
From military service to teaching, members of the Class of 1975 all found their niches within the dental profession—and they found that their years at GSDM both positioned them for success and had been unique in many ways.
Baiorunos, who enlisted in the Air Force after graduation, said he spoke with fellow Air Force dentists who had a dramatically different dental school experience full of hazing and demeaning statements from faculty members. He is thankful for his positive experience at GSDM.
“It was eye opening to me after I graduated that we didn’t experience any of that hazing from any of the faculty,” Baiorunos said. “It was collegial, and they wanted us to succeed, and certainly we wanted to succeed.”
Brosnan, who also enlisted in the Air Force, said he saw firsthand how his GSDM experience set him apart from other dental colleagues in the Air Force.
“I had associations with a whole bunch of other general dentists who had gone to various schools and my education set me up very well,” Brosnan said.
As for Sallen, he stayed at GSDM after graduation to do a year-long clinical fellowship before going on to the Air Force and—20 years later—an endodontics residency at NYU. Sallen said he was impressed with BU’s determination to make sure the first predoctoral class was qualified to practice as dental professionals.
“I think that I was prepared,” Sallen said. “The big effort [with us] being class number one was obviously made and in the end, I think they turned out some good people.”
Mandell, who splits his time between teaching and private practice, said he appreciates the dental foundation GSDM provided him. Although he did not fully comprehend at the time how historic it was to be part of GSDM’s first predoctoral class, he believed being “the first” did give the Class of 1975 an extra boost of motivation.
“There was a real esprit de corps for that first-year class,” Mandell said. “The instructors were all gung-ho [and] I think the students were all gung-ho [too].”
As for DuLong, he never wandered far from Boston University: He completed advanced education in prosthodontics at GSDM and then joined the faculty, teaching for 44 years before retiring in 2022. Nowadays, DuLong said he views becoming a “Golden Terrier” as a great accomplishment as the title reflects his never-ending appreciation for Boston University.
“We didn’t realize it at the time of graduation, but we realized it shortly thereafter, just how rich our educational experience was,” DuLong said.
Think back on your first day at GSDM. Do you remember the mix of excitement and nervousness? The anticipation of meeting your classmates, wondering who among them would become lifelong friends and colleagues? The awe of sitting in classrooms with faculty whose reputations preceded them?
Now imagine how those feelings would have been amplified if you were the first-ever DMD students to cross the school’s threshold—and you’ll have a sense of what the Class of 1975 felt on their first day of school in August 1972.
The school’s inaugural DMD class is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its graduation from GSDM this year—a major milestone both for the members of that class and for the school itself. In this issue’s cover story, we spoke to some alumni from that class about their experiences at GSDM and how their time at our school helped them launch their careers.
While some aspects of their experience are unique, many things they said reflected my own experience at GSDM, and I’m sure will resonate with you as well.
In particular, I was struck by the collegiality and camaraderie that the members describe—and the way those bonds have continued, five decades after their graduation from GSDM.
I have found this as well, that the friendships forged during my years at our school are uniquely strong because of their foundation in our shared experiences at GSDM.
We’d love to hear more about your memories from GSDM and how your time here has shaped your career. Please contact Stacey McNamee at smcnamee@bu.edu to share your thoughts.
In closing, thank you again for allowing me to serve as your Alumni Association president. And please come visit us in Boston soon!
Sincerely,
Hongsheng Liu DMD 10 ENDO 12 Alumni Association President
D. CAMERON BRAASCH
DMD 09
Dr. D. Cameron Braasch completed his undergraduate degree at Bucknell University and completed a Masters of Science in biology at the College of William & Mary. Braasch then earned a DMD from GSDM, where he was the valedictorian and class president. He continued his education at Virginia Commonwealth University, completing a four-year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency. Braasch is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has practiced full scope oral and maxillofacial surgery in southern New Hampshire since 2013.
HITESH VIJ
DMD 20
Dr. Hitesh Vij completed a BDS and MDS from Manipal College of Dental Sciences in India. He spent time in dental academia as a faculty member before moving to the U.S. and completing his DMD with high honors at GSDM. Vij recently received his fellowship from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and has a fellowship from the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). He is currently pursuing a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and is a member of the AGD.
Hongsheng Liu DMD 10 ENDO 12
President
Frank Schiano CAS 01 DMD 06 AEGD 07 ORTHO 19
President-Elect
Dennis Jodoin DMD 95 PERIO 98
Secretary
Maryam Shomali CAS 87 ENDO 93
Immediate Past President
D. Cameron Braasch DMD 09
Debbie Eisen CAS 84 DMD 88
Hesham Farag DMD 21
Zhiqiang Huang DMD 08
Ana Keohane DMD 16
Mira Khouzam DMD 16
Sandip Ladani DMD 16
James Lee CAS 09 CAMED 10 DMD 14
Nikita Naumowicz DMD 21
Gary Nord DMD 10
Sepideh Novid DMD 04 AEGD 05
Khamir Patel DMD 14
Kady Rawal AEGD 10 DPH 18
Cameron Shahbazian DMD 14 Questrom 24
Tadeu Szpoganicz DMD 11
CAPTIONS LIST INDIVIDUALS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
CAPTIONS LIST INDIVIDUALS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
John Ictech-Cassis PROS 86 DMD 88, Miles Cone, Dean Cataldo
2. Jasmine Kaur PGOE 25, Manuel Garcia PROS 87, Navreet Kaur PGOE 26, Kudrat
Kang PGOE 26, Alena Kiachtchenko PGOE 26
3. John Ictech Cassis PROS 86 DMD 88, Afsheen Lakhani DMD 06 AEGD 07, Nurula Diyanat, Manuel Garcia PROS 87, Dean Cataldo Leone, Ryota Kikuchi
AEGD 07 DMD 12, Ramzi Sarkis AEGD 96
DMD 02 ENDO 05, Jennifer Kim AEGD 07
ENDO 14, Rosario Alvarez DMD 92
AEGD 93, Frank Schiano CAS 01 DMD 06
AEGD 07 ORTHO 19
4. Laila Zamani Pardee 05 DMD 11 AEGD 12, John Ictech-Cassis, Roma Acosta, Moira Casey AEGD 12 ORTHO 15, Alexandra Antonescu DMD 11 AEGD 12, Lorenzo Mordini AEGD 12
CAPTIONS LIST INDIVIDUALS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
5. Oleski Negruskul PGOE 25, Alena Kiachtchenko PGOE 26, Osama
Serraj (behind) PGOE 25, Rayan Drebi
PGOE 25, Lina Alhudaithy PGOE 23
DPH 25, Manuel Garcia PROS 87, Jasmine Kaur PGOE 25, Navreet Kaur
PGOE 26, John Ictech-Cassis PROS 86 DMD 88, Kudrat Kang PGOE 26
6. Ana Keohane DMD 16, Jason Zeim DMD 95 ENDO 09, Afsheen Lakhani
DMD 06 AEGD 07, John Ictech-Cassis PROS 86 DMD 88, Maria Torre Cueva
7. Brad Woland DMD 11 ORTHO 14, Dean Cataldo Leone, Elizabeth DiBona BUTi 97 DMD 07 AEGD 08, Ana Keohane
DMD 16, Claire Chang AEGD 07 PROS 10, John Ictech-Cassis PROS 86 DMD 88
8. Oleski Negruskul PGOE 25, Alena Kiachtchenko PGOE 26, Rayan Drebi PGOE 25, Navreet Kaur PGOE 26, Konstantinos Michalakis, John Ictech-Cassis PROS 86 DMD 88, Kudrat Kang PGOE 26, Navika Gupta PGOE 26, Bathsheba Turton, Jasmine Kaur PGOE 25, Rosario Alvarez DMD 92 AEGD 93.
4.
CAPTIONS LIST INDIVIDUALS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
INAUGURAL DR. DONALD F. BOOTH
PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY INSTALLED
Pushkar Mehra DMD 95 OMFS 99, chair and professor of oral & maxillofacial surgery, was installed in January 2025 as the inaugural professor for the GSDM Donald F. Booth Professorship in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
The Donald F. Booth Professorship in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is named after Dr. Donald F. Booth, professor and chair emeritus of oral & maxillofacial surgery. Booth was joined by 51 other donors— alumni, former residents, and friends— who contributed to an over-a-decade-long fundraising effort to raise an endowed fund of $2.5 million. The spendable income of the fund will be used annually towards research and department support.
“Esteemed, named professorships such as these help the school attract and retain talented faculty—like Dr. Pushkar Mehra— giving them additional resources and flexibility they need to excel in education, research, and clinical practice,” Dean Cataldo Leone said. “In turn, these talented faculty help us recruit exceptional students and residents, who themselves go on to accomplish great things.”
Mehra said he has viewed Booth a teacher and mentor for over 25 years—and is honored to continue to benefit from Booth’s generosity as the first endowed chair in his name. He now looks forward to enriching the department of oral & maxillofacial surgery in the spirit of Booth’s legacy.
‘The generosity of all donors who contributed will enable us to invest within our future and continue to fulfill the mission of preparing our residents and faculty to be leaders of tomorrow,” Mehra said. “The fund gives us the ability to continue investing in research, scholarship, and teaching, and it ensures continued progress with a pursuit for excellence.”
CAPTIONS LIST INDIVIDUALS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
CAPTIONS LIST INDIVIDUALS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
EVERY GSDM ALUM HAS AN UNDENIABLE LOVE FOR DENTISTRY. BUT SOME CAN’T LIMIT THEIR ZEAL FOR PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS TO ONE ENDEAVOR. WE SPOKE TO THREE GSDM ALUMS WHO ARE CHANNELING THEIR DENTAL EXPERTISE INTO PASSION PROJECTS AND SIDE HUSTLES.
Zahra Falsafi DMD 94 AEGD 95 PERIO 98
Scrubs don't have to be boring to be durable. With CUZEZ, Zahra Falsafi DMD 94 AEGD 95 PERIO 98 and her co-founders, her cousins, Shelia and Parisa Ahmadi, are designing and selling comfortable and stylish scrubs. The cousins got the idea for CUZEZ after the COVID-19 pandemic when they noticed dental and medical professionals switching to wearing scrubs instead of formal business attire.
“Things changed. Everybody started wearing scrubs,” Falsafi said. “We thought we [could] make them a little more fashionable.”
The cousins founded CUZEZ in 2023 and launched their online sales in January 2025. They took years to identify the perfect material, landing on a blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex that is anti-bacterial, anti-wrinkle, and has four-way stretch. The CUZEZ cousins have first-hand experience they can draw on in designing the scrubs, as Falsafi is a retired periodontist who now teaches periodontology at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and Sheila is a physician.
Falsafi said she loves when she gets feedback from fellow colleagues and students on the CUZEZ scrubs, Looking into the future, the cousins envision expanding their offerings into more colors, styles, and accessories.
“You wash it, throw it in the dryer, take it out, wear it, it looks like new,” Falsafi said. “When you're working, you're sitting and you get up, it doesn't look like it's been worn.”
Wallace J. Bellamy DMD 89
When Wallace J. Bellamy DMD 89 graduated from GSDM and moved to California to begin practicing, he took advantage of his proximity to Napa Valley to visit wineries and learn about the wine-making process.
In 2019, Bellamy put that knowledge to work when he founded Bellamy Vineyards with a label that sells five different wines sourced from local grapes. Nowadays, he splits his time between running the vineyard and practicing at Fountain Plaza Family Dental, a private general practice in Elk Grove, California.
“Wine making just blended in with what's going on with dentistry,” Bellamy said. “There's an art to it; there's a science to it. The art and science are blending into a beautiful piece of work that's in this bottle.”
In 2005, when Bellamy purchased the land in Wilton, California, that would become Bellamy Vineyard, he had no plans to start making wine—but he did plant some grapes to create the look of a vineyard. Bellamy later connected with winemaker Robert Smerling, who visited Bellamy’s property and began educating him on winemaking.
Smerling would then teach Lilliana Bellamy-Goins, Bellamy’s daughter, chief operating officer at Bellamy Vineyards and proprietress of the brand “Mariposita” rosè.
“It is gratifying [to see that I was] able to either intentionally or unintentionally pass along a passion I have and see that [she has] it, if not just as much, maybe even more than I have it,” Bellamy said.
Dr. Farnoush Fadavi ENDO 98 & Arash Aftabi DMD 98 PERIO 01
In 2018, the lives of Dr. Farnoush Fadavi ENDO 98 and Arash Aftabi DMD 98 PERIO 01, a husbandand-wife and GSDM alumni duo, were changed when Fadavi fell, shattering her shoulder and breaking her hip, resulting in chronic pain and dehydration. The couple realized there was no product on the market that combined anti-inflammation and hydration properties, giving them the idea of creating a plantbased drink supplement.
After collaborating with a biochemist for more than 18 months, the couple co-founded and launched Bala Enzyme in 2020, blending bromelain, curcumin (a compound within turmeric), papain enzymes (from papaya), electrolytes, and amino acids into sugar-free and all-natural ingredient drink supplement.
“It's all because of our background and education received at GSDM,” Aftabi said. “This seed was in our mind to come up with this solution for people who are suffering from all kinds of symptoms that Farnoush is suffering from.”
The company’s amino acid transport technology for enzyme absorption is patent pending, with approval expected by the end of the year. Fadavi and Aftabi are starting crowdfunding efforts to help expand their venture. The duo has plans to partner with more stores, and to launch new flavors and formulations.
“[Bala Enzyme] comes from my heart,” Fadavi said. “I was very depressed when I couldn't practice anymore. I really loved endodontics...It was a very difficult tragedy that happened in my life. But now with Bala Enzyme, I can help thousands of people.”
LURI LEE CAS 12
DMD 16 AEGD 17 AND CHRIS MERCURIO
CAS 12 LAW 15 welcomed a baby girl, Luna, on March 6, 2025, weighing 6 lbs 11 oz.
AJISA M. LITI DMD 21 married MICHAEL TENTINDO CAS 06 in Tuscany, Italy, in July 2024.
First row (left to right): Maria Sqapi, Natassia Martins DMD 21, Kendra Hackman DMD 21, Ajisa Liti DMD 21, Michael Tentindo CAS 06 and Abigail Raymond DMD 21
Second row (left to right): Andrew Ellis Questrom 06, William Tentindo COM 06, Sidney Raiski DMD 21, Bonnie Polan Wheelock 04, Giovanni Avila DMD 21, Leena Aslam DMD 21, Gibran Mangui DMD 21, Benjamin Polan DMD 81 and Brendan Deline DMD 21
ANDREW GRINSELL
DMD 17 and wife Allison welcomed a daughter, Eliana Marie Grinsell, on May 20, 2024, weighing 7 lbs 1 oz and measuring 20.5 inches. She joins big sister Rayla.
PATRICIA MORAGA
DMD 17 AND JONATHAN WERBITT ORTHO 16 welcomed a son, Noah Michael Werbitt, on January 16, 2025, 6 lbs 10oz. He joins big sister Audrey Rose.
FARIDA SAHER
PEDO 10, of Calgary, Canada, married Howard Pounall Jr. in Las Vegas on May 18, 2024.
ERICA GILBERT DMD 14 AND JOSH GILBERT DMD 14 welcomed their second child, Seth Jordan Gilbert, on January 7, 2025. He joins big brother Ari.
PARITOSH AMBURLE DMD 12 ENDO 15
AND MELISSA MORRISON DMD 17 welcomed a daughter, Jiya Aalia, on January 12, 2025. She joins big brother Prem.
Sixteen GSDM alumni and/or faculty were inducted into the International College of Dentists in Nashville on September 7.
• DANIEL FEIT PROS 96
• EDWARD SUH DMD 02
• ANCHITA VENKATESH DMD 18
• SANDIP LADANI DMD 16
• SWATI GUPTA DMD 23
• JIGNESH RUDANI DMD 17
• MICHAEL FERGUSON DMD 89 AEGD 90
• MOHAMMED AHMED PROS 22
• ESCOBAR DAYAN (FACULTY)
• ANGELICA GIL-LEVIN (FACULTY)
• THERESA GUANCI SAR 09 CAMED 10 DMD 14
• EYAD HAIDAR DMD 95 PROS 97
• MICHAEL MAYR CAMED 12 DMD 16
• MARCELO SUZUKI (FACULTY)
• GARRETT WINGROVE DMD 17 ENDO 26
• CAROL YUN DMD 87
TELMEN TUMEN-ULZII ENDO 23, SOWJANYA
TADAKAPALLI ENDO 19, AND KRISTEL B. TABET
ENDO 11 received their American Board of Endodontics pins during AAE Annual Session in Boston in April 2025.
ASHISH AGARWAL DMD 17, ARIFA BAKERYWALA DMD 18, LINDSEY JANOFF DMD 19 PERIO 22, AND RUCHIEKA VIJ
DMD 20 were awarded the “10 under Ten” award from the Massachusetts Dental Society. This award recognizes dentists who have made significant contributions to the field and have been in the profession for 10 years or less.
ANA KEOHANE DMD 16, clinical associate professor of general dentistry and director of predoctoral urgent care, received the Volunteer of the Year Award, given to a Yankee Dental Congress volunteer who “goes above and beyond.” DR. CARL MCMANAMA, professor of general dentistry, received the Dental Influencer Award, given to a Yankee volunteer or attendee that has had a positive influence on the Yankee community. Keohane and McManama were selected from submitted nominees by dental peers.
HOWARD ZOLOT PERIO 85 received the Yankee Dental Congress James W. Etherington Award in January 2025. This award is given annually in recognition of New England dentists who dedicate much of their professional lives to furthering the high ideals and objectives of organized dentistry.
Nine GSDM alumni were inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy in 2024-2025
• JIGNESH RUDANI DMD 17
• KAREN ROBINSON DMD 86
• CHERAE FARMER DIXON DMD 86
• IQBAL PETKER DMD 94
• ANCHITA VENKATESH DMD 18
• JAWAD TAWIL IMPLANT 01
• SHILPI JOSHI DMD 12
• JANICE SPADA DMD 82
• HITESH VIJ DMD 20
Ten GSDM alumni and/or faculty were inducted into the American College of Dentists in New Orleans on October 17
• ARIFA BAKERYWALA DMD 18
• JOBREN DINGLE DMD 17
• MARGARET ERRANTE (FACULTY)
• LAURIE FLEISHER DMD 81 ENDO 83
• RUSSEL GIORDANO (FACULTY)
• MARK HARTZLER DMD 12
• PEIXI LIAO PROS 18
• SARA SHEIKH DMD 14
• MARCELO SUZUKI (FACULTY)
• TADROS TADROS ENDO 17
DR. KHURRAM KHAN DMD 09 and Zofeen Khan recently founded the Smiles Unite Us Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adolescents born with cleft lip/ palate and other facial differences. The organization provides comprehensive support, including funding for essential surgeries and medical/dental treatments, as well as offering emotional and educational resources for families.
DID YOU GET MARRIED? HAVE A BABY? ACCOMPLISH A LIFE GOAL?
We’d love to hear your news! Email your updates (and any address changes) to Stacey McNamee at smcnamee@bu.edu.
The GSDM chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) was named Student Chapter of the Year in 2024, the first time in the chapter’s history that it has won this award. The chapter’s president, Aisha Amel M. Daigle DMD 25, was also selected as Student Leader of the Year.
Dr. Kadambari Rawal, clinical associate professor of general dentistry, one of the chapter’s faculty advisors, said she has always been impressed with the hard work and dedication of chapter members. However, she felt this year the chapter had really gone above and beyond in their activities.
“All of our students in the chapter are really incredible and it’s no wonder why they were [selected for] the award,” Rawal said.
Daigle, the 2024 AAWD Student Leader of the Year, has been involved with AAWD since her first year at GSDM, first as a general member, then as community service chair, and now as chapter president. Daigle said her win is not a reflection just of her actions, but of those of the entire executive board and general chapter members.
“Me winning is mostly the impact that all the executive board has and how the BU chapter is recognized,” Daigle said. “It was a big surprise because yes, I won, but I couldn’t see myself winning without my executive board.”
The chapter’s other faculty advisor, Dr. Vasiliki Maseli, clinical associate professor of general dentistry, said she thinks winning these awards will inspire current and future members in the chapter.
“I think this national recognition will motivate them even more to continue this work and make meaningful impact to the dental community,” Maseli said.
Following her year as president-elect, she will serve as president (2026) and past president (2027) with the HDA National Executive Committee.
Over the next three years, Zea said she plans to help strengthen the association’s endeavors of service, outreach, research, and education while promoting the HDA’s visibility within the dental community.
“It was very humbling to see that the entire board voted unanimously to give me the opportunity to fill this role,” Zea said. “I am both humbled and honored at the same time, and I feel like there’s a lot more that we can do. I am surrounded by a team of people who are all very committed [and] capable, and that is going to lead us to many good things in the future.”
Zea said she is eager to share her multitude of perspectives with her HDA colleagues to assist with the organization’s mission of empowering healthcare professionals to increase oral health equity and improve healthcare quality in underrepresented populations.
“I am able to speak from different voices as an immigrant of Hispanic descent, as a dentist, as a professional in public health, as a researcher, as a part of [HDA] for so many years, as a faculty person, as an educator,” Zea said. “I feel like there are many components of my work over the years that provide me with information that I can apply into any initiatives or endeavors that we set forth during these years.”
GSDM faculty member selected president-elect for Hispanic Dental Association
Dr. Ana Zea SPH 20, clinical associate professor of general dentistry and director of communitybased education, was unanimously elected in December 2024 as Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) president-elect for 2025.
Questions and responses have been edited for clarity, context information, and length.
What made GSDM the right dental school for you?
BostonUniversityHenryM.Goldman School of Dental Medicine had the most to offer out of all the schools Iconsidered.They'regreatwithmaking surewehaveastrongdidacticprogram and strong clinical program, and they’reverybigontechnology,which is important in preparing us for the future. When I first came to dental school, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to specialize, nor what specialty I was interestedin.Luckilyenough,GSDM offers all recognized post-doctoral, so it was extremely well-equipped to help me find my way.
You serve as the president of the Student Research Group (SRG). What do you do in that role?
SRGhostseventscateredtostudents to get them engaged with research projectsortohelpconnectstudents todifferentprojects.Amaincomponent ofwhatwedoisconductjournalclub meetingswhichiswherewepresent and discuss articles that we find the most relevant to dentistry.
You just finished the third year in your predoctoral program. What has your GSDM experience been like so far?
How do you best balance your extracurricular activities with your schoolwork?
I’m not going to lie, it is very challenging. I have crashed out and felt overwhelmed countless times,butIknowit’sallpartofgetting to where I want to be. To reclaim time to myself, I like to go on runs ordoyoga.Mysecretguiltypleasure, however,isbingewatchingTV.Most importantly,havingthesupportsystem frommyfamily,boyfriend,andfriends helps me get through it.
You are currently working with Neal Fleisher DMD 84 PERIO 86, director of predoctoral periodontology, on a survey looking at preclinical implantology courses and implant placement experience amongst U.S. affiliated dental schools. What made you want to get involved with research?
Allthestudents,mentors,andfaculty involved in research have a certain skillsetofcriticalthinkingthatIreally admire, so it encouraged me to also be a part of this community. I believe researchhelpsprovidersmakelogical andethicaldecisions,soit’simportant to keep up to date with literature as scientific knowledge is always expanding. 1 2 4 5 3
It’s been amazing so far and I’m sad there’s only a year left. I feel very lucky to be part of such a hard-working and talented cohort of students. The program itself is alsosuperreceptiveintakingfeedback from our experiences so I’m very grateful that I ended up here.
Dean’s Advisory Board member Dr. Tarun Agarwal visited the Student Commons area named for his family in April 2025. His donation supports the Building and Restoration Fund at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, ensuring that the school’s facilities have funding for maintenance and future improvements that benefit students, residents, and faculty for years to come.
David Paul Lustbader CAS 86 DMD 86
Chair
Chief of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Milton Hospital
Founder, South Shore Oral Surgery Associates Quincy, MA
Tarun Agarwal
Owner, 3-D Dentists
Founder, Raleigh Dental Arts
Raleigh, NC
Nazila Bidabadi CAS 82 DMD 87
President & Chief Cosmetic Dentist, Soft Touch Dentistry Allston, MA
Donald Booth
Professor and Chair Emeritus, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Retired Chief, Department of Dentistry Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston Medical Center
Topsfield, MA
Shadi Daher DMD 90 OMFS 94
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Cofounder and President, Medical Missions for Children Westwood, MA
Richard A. Konys DMD 84 OMFS 88
Founder, Eastside Dental Fayetteville, NY
Geoffrey Ligibel
President & CEO, 42 North Dental Waltham, MA
Alon Mozes CEO, Neocis Inc. Miami, FL
Loubna Pla ENDO 08
Co-Founder and Owner, Pla & Watts Endodontics
Puyallup, WA
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, GSDM joined with the rest of the University community,
as well as organizations across the country and around the world, to celebrate GivingTuesday. We want to thank each and every donor who helped make this year’s GivingTuesday a success. This year's highlighted fund was the Professor Dan Nathanson Research Fund, a new fund housed in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials; the fund received $18,145 in donations on GivingTuesday.
Gurgen Abazyan DMD 22
Anonymous
Erika M. Abruzzese
Rosario Alvarez DMD 92 AEGD 93
Charis H. Anderson McCarthy
Ana-Maria Antoniu DMD 04
Manish Bhagania
Louis M. Brown DMD 84 PROS 91
Andrew Burke
Lisa A. Case
Ching-Ling Chang PROS 02
Ya-Yi Chen PROS 01
Sami M. Chogle
Jae H. Choi
Lorena M. Corzo PERIO 18
Catie Dargue
Richard D'Innocenzo
Keri Discepolo
Yuwei Fan
Mark S. Ferriero
Roberta P. Flynn
Russell A. Giordano II
Adina S. Green DMD 88
Joseph Johnson
Virginia Karapanou
Wen-Cheng Kuo Implantology 03
Afsheen Lakhani DMD 06 AEGD 07
Cataldo W. Leone
Ronald W. Lippitt DMD 87
Thamer Marghalani PROS 02 05
Linda Massod DMD 91
Timothy W. McDonough
Stacey L. McNamee MET 98
Konstantinos Michalakis
Glena Patricia Millan PROS 11
Jacob M. Miszuk
Mayumi O. Miyamoto AEGD 01 PROS 05
Janis B. Moriarty
Linda S. Newman
Yuko Otsubo PROS 17 DMD 23
Praveena Paliwal
Katarina Pavlicic DMD 04
Kady D. Rawal AEGD 10 DPH 18
Catherine F. Sarkis CAS88 Questrom 91 LAW 94
Sudarvizhi Sivaraman DMD 17
Andreas Skyllouriotis PROS 13
Hideo Yamamoto PROS 90 DMD 92
Nassif W. Youssef PROS 22
Donald C. Yu ENDO 81
Henry C. Yu ENDO 83
Jason Zeim DMD 95 ENDO 09
$20,145
TOTAL DOLLARS RAISED 50 UNIQUE DONORS 21% INCREASE IN DOLLARS RAISED FROM PRIOR YEAR
By Rachel P. Farrell
Vijay Gaddam DMD 08 discovered an interest and talent for working with pediatric patients when he was a student in the Advanced Standing program at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). Having already completed dental school, a dental residency, and six months of dental work experience in his home country of India, Gaddam started the program unsure of what he’d get out of it.
“But everything I learned at GSDM seemed new and different. I also learned to be accountable and felt a responsibility towards my patients.” he said.
Less than a decade after graduating, Gaddam— along with his wife, Paulomi Vishal Naik DMD 08, who he met while they were students at GSDM—decided to start giving back to the school, first with donations to the GSDM Building & Renovation Fund and later to the Spencer N. Frankl Scholarship Fund. Gaddam was a recipient of the scholarship when he was a student, and “I was so grateful for it,” he said. “It made a huge difference.”
After making a few gifts to GSDM, Gaddam decided to set up monthly contributions. “I was doing it not so consistently ... but then I thought: ‘I want to do this every month and set it up that way,’” he said.
His reason? “I want to donate because I’ve received so much from the school,” he said.
“It only makes sense for me to give back to the school that gave me so much and made me what I am today. Without GSDM, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
In the Simulation Learning Center, for example, Gaddam fine-tuned his technical skills with help and feedback from faculty members. In the classroom, he gained experience designing interdisciplinary treatment plans for complex cases. In clinical rotations, he discovered new ways of interacting with patients and providing care that blended “what they wanted with what was in their best interest,” he said. He also learned how to manage tricky situations with young patients.
“The faculty showed us what they would do for a patient who is crying, or a patient who is anxious, or a patient who isn’t opening their month,” Gaddam recalled. “If not for that experience, I think I would have limited my practice to adult patients only.”
Today, Gaddam owns Riverdale Dental in West Springfield, Massachusetts, where he makes it his mission to put every patient, no matter how scared or nervous, at ease.
“I love working with kids,” said Gaddam, who has two of his own. “I want to give them the best experience at the dentist, because that’s the foundation for them to be a good patient going forward. At BU, I also gained great friends with whom I'm building memories for life.”
Giving to the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in your will is a simple way to make a real difference.
It’s easy — and rewarding. Take the time now to make sure that your will reflects your intentions to care for your family and the people and causes that matter most to you.
If you include a gift for GSDM in your estate plans, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that future generations of students and residents will benefit from your generous legacy.
To learn more about how you can make a gift in your will to support GSDM, contact Boston University Planned Giving at 800-645-2347 or opg@bu.edu, or visit bu.edu/plannedgiving.
Download a complimentary copy of our Estate Planning Guide at bu.edu/estateguide .
Maintaining a competitive edge, no matter what the arena, takes investment, and we are grateful for the support we receive from many sources.
Generous contributions from our alumni and friends are vital to our ongoing success. These gifts have made improvements in our clinical facilities, classrooms, and public areas, and have been used them to support student scholarships, among other areas. If you are interested in giving to the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine or want to become involved in our resource development activities, please contact Stacey McNamee at smcnamee@bu.edu or use one of the methods listed below to make a gift.
Give online safely and securely at bu.edu/dental/supportgsdm.
Call us at 617-358-8774 to make a gift or pledge over the phone.
Mail your contribution to Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Development & Alumni Relations 85 E Newton Street, M-1009 Boston, MA 02118
Checks should be made payable to Trustees of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
Kenneth J. Backman PERIO 78
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL
JULY 13, 2024
Dr. Kenneth Backman was a graduate of Syracuse University and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and held a postdoctoral degree from Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, past president of the Boston Metropolitan District Dental Society, the Greater Boston Dental Society, and the Massachusetts Periodontal Society, and lectured widely throughout the United States.
Mireille Boubrette Alexis DMD 97
RANDOLPH, MA
OCTOBER 5, 2024
Dr. Mireille "Boubrette" Alexis left an indelible mark in the field of dentistry. She served as a dentist with great honor and dedication at several organizations, including Whittier Street Health Center, Mattapan Community Health Center, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, and Codman Square Health Center. Alexis was a faithful attendee of Jubilee Christian Church, and her faith was a cornerstone in her life. She was an elegant, wise, warm, and inspirational woman who firmly believed in the power of dreaming big and the importance of self-belief. Her roles as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and dentist were her greatest achievements. Her impact on everyone she met forms the core of her enduring legacy.
Dr. Stanley “Sandy” Mark Baer ENDO 68
MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY
MARCH 14, 2025
Dr. Sandy Baer attended Rutgers University and University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine; he then completed advanced education in endodontics at GSDM. He and his father became the first father-son endodontic team in New Jersey, where he practiced for almost 40 years. A talented craftsman, Sandy's creations included elaborate model train sets and beautiful wooden boxes. He was an avid skier and golfer, lover of cars, and curator of dynamic flower gardens in his backyard.
Janet L. Goguen DMD 83
MEDFORD, MA
SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
Dr. Janet Goguen went to Boston College and Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Goguen was a beautiful, generous, kind, and incredibly strong woman. A supportive and giving mother, she was always there when her children needed her love and guidance, but allowed them the freedom to soar. Her family was always her priority. She opened her own dental practice in Upton, Massachusetts, in 1986 where she cared for hundreds of patients over the next 35 years. Her patients and staff were devoted to her due to her gentle and caring nature. She took extreme pride in caring for patients.
Alan Marx DMD 85
AUGUST 15, 2024
COMMACK, NEW YORK
Dr. Alan Marx, 64, of Commack, NY, is survived by his loving wife, Linda; mother, Ruth; brother, Robbie; children and step-children, Corey and his wife Rachel, Michael and his fiancé Tessa, Jenna and her fiancé Elliot, and Nikki and her wife Anna; and countless adoring nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Dr. Thomas Richard Mullen OMFS 79
NAPLES, FL
DECEMBER 29, 2024
Dr. Thomas R. Mullen completed his undergraduate studies at Fordham University and graduated first in his class from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. When, in 1978, Tom was recruited to Seaford, Delaware, to become Sussex County's first oral and maxillofacial surgeon, he quickly became a pillar of the community that he loved so dearly. In 2016, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital recognized Tom for his 38 years of service by inducting him into the Physician's Hall of Fame.
Dr. Kenneth Plisner OMFS 76
WEST ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS
MARCH 14, 2025
Dr. Kenneth R. Plisner earned a DDS at Howard University and then a residency at Boston City Hospital and received his diploma in oral surgery from GSDM. He practiced oral surgery in the Washington D.C. area from 1977 to 2000 and then moved to Massachusetts where he continued his oral surgery practice until his retirement. Plisner treasured the lifelong friendships he had with his dental colleagues from Howard and Boston City Hospital. Plisner was an active member of the Temple Hillel B'nai Torah community in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and was a wonderful musician who played the guitar, the cello, and the accordion.
LEBANON, NH
JANUARY 22, 2025
Dr. Ephraim Shulman attended University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate studies, Columbia Dental School, where he was awarded his DDS, and Boston University for post graduate work. He was a prosthodontist, specializing in crowns, bridges, and restorative dentistry. His practice was in Lynn, MA. Shulman lived life to the fullest. He and his wife, Helen, traveled extensively. He was an avid fly fisher, ballroom dancer, player of six wicket croquet, an extraordinary husband, and friend. Shulman was known for his gentle, generous, kind, and thoughtful nature. He was able to help people reframe the things that disturbed them, providing new perspectives and fresh insights.
Dr. Alan Shuman PERIO 63
SARASOTA, FLORIDA
JANUARY 2, 2025
Dr. Alan Shuman earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts, a Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Periodontology at the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. Shuman spent over 50 years as a periodontist, joining Dr. Henry Goldman’s periodontal practice in Brookline, MA. His dedication to patient care and education was evident in every aspect of his career. Shuman served as president of the Brookline Dental Society, Greater Boston Dental Society, and Metropolitan Dental Society. He was also inducted as a fellow of both the American and International Colleges of Dentistry and the Robert Andrews Honor Society.
Barton H. Tayer ORTHO 66
BROOKLINE, MA
JANUARY 2025
Dr. Barton "Bart" Tayer earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study and MSD in Orthodontics at the Boston University School of Dentistry. Tayer established a thriving 30-year private orthodontic practice in Brookline. He was active in his professional life as president of the Brookline Dental Society, the Northeastern component of the Edward Angle Society, and the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists. He also mentored orthodontic students as a faculty member at Boston University and then Harvard University dental schools, where he served as director of the orthodontic teaching clinic. In recognition of his outstanding service to the orthodontic profession, Tayer was presented with the Frederick Moynihan Award from the Massachusetts Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Marvin Werbitt PERIO 73
WESTMOUNT, QUEBEC
APRIL 12, 2025
Dr. Marvin Werbitt was a gifted periodontist, internationally known and respected. He was a true pioneer in the dental field, especially implantology. Through his work, he left a mark on so many people, from patients and colleagues to students and staff. Werbitt was a pillar of the community, serving as president of ORT and the Alpha-Omega dental fraternity. While his professional accomplishments were gratifying for him, his life outside the office was even more fulfilling. Weekends at the country home in St. Lazare, riding horses, playing with his dogs, and working in his garage was where he went to unwind. His greatest joy and point of pride, however, was his family, and spending time together with them.
BY DR. THOMAS “TK” KILGORE
I didn’t plan on being a teacher, but shortly before the end of my oral surgery residency, Dr. Don Booth, principal at the private practice that I was planning to join, told me that Dean Henry Goldman was starting a DMD program at GSDM and was recruiting faculty. I balked at first. I was in training to be an oral surgeon, not a teacher. But I finally agreed to help on a part-time basis.
Henry had recruited some very smart faculty, so we had that going for us—but we were building the plane as we were flying it, so to speak. That first year we were working out kinks in the curriculum in real time. We were lucky though, the students in that first class were so incredibly bright and talented that they thrived. I felt at the time—and continue to feel 50 years later—a special bond with that first class. In some ways, we were all learning together. They were teaching me as much as I was teaching them.
And one of the things that I learned was just how much I loved teaching. Just a year after that first class graduated in 1975, I had the opportunity to move into academia full time— I took it and never looked back. I certainly didn’t anticipate in those first few years of teaching that it was something that I would still be doing half a century later (even after I officially retired!), but I wouldn’t change a thing.
There are certainly differences between the GSDM of 1975 and the GSDM of today. The class size was much smaller, for one, which allowed me to develop much deeper relationships with the students. And, obviously, the technology available to us today is leaps and bounds ahead of what we had in the clinic in the 70s.
But the students are the same. They are as brilliant, inquisitive, ambitious and caring as they always have been Even though I have held many roles here, I continue to volunteer in the clinic because teaching the students is what I love the most. Showing them how fun it can be to diagnose the patient, to work out problems in a treatment plan, and to treat the patient gives me great pleasure.
Looking ahead, it’s hard to know where the school will be in 50 years. Certainly, the pace of technological change keeps increasing, but I am confident that the people—the faculty, the staff, the students of GSDM—will continue to be the same: outstanding.
“The friendships forged during my years at our school are uniquely strong because of their foundation in our shared experiences at GSDM.”
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LETTER / pg. 10
“Everything
Dr. Ana Zea SPH 20 was unanimously elected in December 2024 as Hispanic Dental Association president-elect for 2025.
ON CAMPUS: HIGHLIGHTS / pg. 33
“The GSDM chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) was named Student Chapter of the Year in 2024, the first time in the chapter’s history that it has won this award.”
ON CAMPUS: HIGHLIGHTS / pg. 32
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