Building for the Future on a Shifting Landscape

In September 2020 HSDM alumnus and renowned scholar of oral regenerative medicine William V. Giannobile was appointed Dean of the School of Dental Medicine, returning to Harvard after a 22-year tenure with the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. In announcing his appointment, HMS Dean George Q. Daley noted, “Having roots in our community and experience as a passionate and productive leader of a major department at a premier dental school make Will perfectly suited to take the helm at HSDM during this unprecedented time.”

Arriving in the midst of a global pandemic, Dean Giannobile’s vision for the school’s future was deeply influenced by the ways in which COVID-19 illuminated areas for growth in the medical field. His immediate priority was to guide the School through the COVID-19 response while working with School leaders to promote clinical and educational efforts that would optimize and advance research, teaching, and clinical care in the face of the pandemic.

Creativity, flexibility, and responsiveness were the hallmarks of Dean Giannobile’s first year. From inspiring faculty to find creative ways to deliver course content — even sending kits and instruments to students at home — to managing pauses in clinical time, among other needs, HSDM was able to rise to a multitude of challenges. All the students in the Class of 2021 graduated on time, an accomplishment Dean Giannobile credits to faculty members going above and beyond. Additional accomplishments in 2021 included an expansion of the Harvard Dental Center, increased grant funding for research, a recommitment to faculty recruitment and career development, and the launch of a pilot grant program to invest in early career scientists.

2021 Dean’s Report

In the fall of 2021, realizing the unique opportunity to build on HSDM’s strengths and set a new course for its future, Dean Giannobile launched a strategic planning process that has reinvigorated and refocused HSDM’s mission and vision for the future. This nine-month-long grassroots effort involved 500 stakeholders — faculty, staff, students, alumni, and HSDM-

HMS affiliates. What emerged from school-wide surveys, town hall forums, focus sessions, and working groups is a strategic framework and road map with four overarching priorities and 12 in-depth strategic objectives with concrete success measures. These priorities will guide HSDM’s work in the foundational areas of research, education, clinical care, and community. They are: Education and Discovery, Diversity and Vibrancy, Culture of Care, and Shared Purpose.

HSDM Strategic Priorities

EDUCATION & DISCOVERY: Advancing HSDM as a global leader in research and clinical education.

• Recruit, retain, and develop faculty leaders.

• Reinvigorate research discovery.

• Support clinical innovation through translational research.

DIVERSITY & VIBRANCY: Attracting faculty, staff and students who are representative of the people served.

• Increase recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty, and staff.

• Reduce financial burden as a barrier to accessing dental education.

• Expand programming and cultivate mentorship pipelines.

CULTURE OF CARE: Revitalizing the patient experience and access to care.

• Promote clinical training excellence.

• Meet the dental needs of our community.

• Advance translational research in oral health care delivery and policy.

COMMUNITY PURPOSE: Creating conditions in which HSDM’s diverse community can thrive.

• Foster Community.

• Retain and nurture employee talent.

• Promote community health and wellbeing.