ULSD Newsletter Spring 2024

Building good will in Louisville and beyond

The School of Dentistry’s newest clinical sites in the West Louisville Goodwill Opportunity Campus and in Owensboro expand access to affordable dental care while increasing hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Also in this issue:

Alumni council updates & events

2023 ULSD Alumni

Fellow: Dr. Jim Strull

Student profile: Ariel Hernandez, DMD class of 2024

And more!

be the benchmark for dental education, patient-centered care, and groundbreaking research.

Dean’s message:

Building the future of dental education today

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Former president John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” I think that quote is definitely applicable to dentistry, which has changed immensely in recent years and will continue to evolve in the years to come. That is why we, as dental educators, must always be looking toward the future of our profession. In my time as interim dean of the School of Dentistry, I’ve had the pleasure of working with others in the school, the university, and the broader community to develop the framework for how we meet the needs of students now and in the future: our strategic plan.

One of the main goals in that plan is to evolve our curriculum in support of diverse clinical experiences, interprofessional collaboration, and promotion of lifelong learning. Another goal is to increase ULSD’s connections with the communities we serve and to increase the number of people we serve throughout the Commonwealth.

In support of both of these goals, this spring we have significantly expanded our clinical outreach footprint in two ways: partnering with an existing dental clinic in

Owensboro and building a brand new dental clinic in the heart of West Louisville.

However, I hesitate to use the word “clinic” to describe these facilities! These are fully equipped, state-of-the-art dental practices that just happen to serve people who have trouble accessing care.

By working in these clinics, our students will get to see a different patient population than they might be able to see here to the dental school. They will also become more accustomed to the pace of private practice, helping them make a successful transition into their careers. Thank you to all of the alumni and friends whose support has helped us reach our goals and prepare for what’s next. The future of our profession is bright!

Go Cards, Margaret Hill, DMD ’87, GPR ’88 Interim Dean

Congratulations, Dr. Bradley!

Dr. Gerry Bradley who came to the UofL School of Dentistry as our dean in 2016 was officially named as executive vice president and university provost (a role he has been holding as an interim) on February 7, 2024. We thank Dr. Bradley for his service to the School of Dentistry and look forward to his leadership at UofL in the years to come!

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Cover Story

• UofL School of Dentistry places roots in West Louisville

6

Council Updates

• ULSD Alumni Council

• Dental Hygiene Legacy Alumni Council

• ULSD Orthodontic Alumni Council

• Photo gallery: Orthodontic Alumni Council Annual Meeting

10

Alumni News

• In the news: Alumni updates

• Dr. N. James Strull honored as 2023 ULSD Alumni Fellow

12

Student News

• Student profile: Ariel Hernandez, DMD class of 2024

ULSD News

• UofL School of Dentistry researchers are among the top 2% most-cited researchers in the world

• ULSD moves to #20 in the United States on GRAS rankings for dentistry & oral sciences

• Dr. Henry Greenwell posthumously honored as Periodontics Educator of the Year

• In memoriam

• Faculty & staff news

• Photo gallery: Fall & winter at ULSD

• Event Calendar

UofL School of Dentistry places roots in West Louisville

The general dentistry practice at the newly built Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus brings dental care directly to an area of Louisville with unmet dental needs.

On March 3, 2024, the University of Louisville School of Dentistry opened a new, state-of-the-art dental practice in West Louisville. The practice is located in the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus at the corner of West Broadway and 28th Street.

The campus includes two new structures: the 120,000 square-foot Goodwill Opportunity Center and the Norton West Louisville Hospital, which is the first comprehensive medical center built in West Louisville in more than 100 years.

The UofL dental practice is located in the Goodwill Opportunity Center, which is designed to be a “one-stop shop” for life-changing resources including workforce training, career coaching, youth mentoring, secondchance banking, and restorative justice services. The center is expected to serve more than 50,000 people each year.

serves the broader community of West Louisville, which is a nine-neighborhood area comprised of mostly African American residents.

The $50 million West Louisville Goodwill Opportunity Center brings together lifestyle enrichment services in the heart of one of Kentucky’s most underserved communities. It will help thousands of individuals overcome employment barriers like addiction histories, criminal backgrounds, lack of education, transportation challenges, mental and physical disabilities and homelessness.

Interim Dean of the School of Dentistry Margaret Hill, DMD ’87, GPR ’88, says including dental care in the range of services at the center is a natural fit. “Goodwill understands that dental care can be life-changing for people seeking to enter the workforce and progress in their careers. Taking care of oral health needs can help restore overall health and build confidence, both of which can be barriers to moving forward.”

In addition to serving Goodwill’s clients, the dental practice

Sherry Babbage Melisizwe, DMD ’81, practiced dentistry in West Louisville for decades and now serves as a faculty member at the School of Dentistry. She says the dental practice fills a void for the community. “There is a need in West Louisville for many things related to the social determinants of health, and access to basic health services is one of them,”

she says. “The School of Dentistry will fill a huge gap that has been left by the loss of brick-and-mortar dental practices in West Louisville.”

Dr. Babbage Melisizwe says the practice also presents the opportunity to expand the reach of the University of Louisville. “Beyond dental health, other doors will be opened with the university’s presence in the community. We will have an opportunity to provide educational mentorship and resources.”

As with other UofL community dental practices, the West Louisville practice is designed to serve people with unmet dental care needs, including people who have Medicaid or no dental insurance.

Services at the dental practice will be provided by a licensed dentist or by a UofL School of Dentistry student working under the supervision of a licensed dentist. This will be a clinical rotation site for dental students who will learn alongside licensed dentists, gaining valuable experiences that help them become better dentists when they graduate.

Ashton Samuels-Powell, DMD ’22, will be among the dentists working at the practice. “I am excited to come back to ULSD as a faculty member and to work at this amazing new facility. Best of all, I am looking forward to providing exceptional dental care for Goodwill’s clients and others in West Louisville. I love being able to create and restore smiles for patients so they can feel confident in themselves.”

Dr. Babbage Melisizwe jumped at the chance to work at the practice part time. “After I moved to Louisville from Harlan, Kentucky in the early 1960s, West Louisville is where I lived and worked. When I think about being ‘home’ on Broadway in West Louisville – being able to share my love of the community with dental students from all over the world while also providing excellent dental care – I feel so overwhelmed with pride and anticipation.”

“Goodwill understands that dental care can be life-changing for people seeking to enter the workforce and progress in their careers.”

- Interim Dean Margaret Hill

The West Louisville dental practice is the second expansion of the School of Dentistry’s clinical footprint in 2024. In January, ULSD assumed operational management of the Community Dental Clinic in Owensboro. The modern, 3,500 square foot dental clinic was established in 2009. It serves patients in the seven-county Green River district who do not have commercial dental insurance.

Continuing the organization’s mission to provide highquality dental services for low-income individuals and families, the Community Dental Clinic board of directors will remain active in its work to identify dental gaps and resources in the community, as well as to provide maintenance to the clinic.

You’re invited to celebrate the opening of the Goodwill dental practice on Friday, May 17! For information about how to attend our grand opening event, contact Paige Moore, Director of Communications & Marketing, at paige.moore.1@louisville.edu

Council update:

ULSD Alumni Council

Dear Esteemed Alumni,

As we reflect on the past quarter, it’s with great enthusiasm that we share with you the progress and accomplishments of our vibrant alumni community. From engaging events to meaningful initiatives, it has been a period marked by collaboration, connection, and celebration of our alma mater’s legacy. As we try to rethink our Alumni Council’s goals and expectations for the upcoming year, we have decided to focus on bringing the alumni community together more often and prioritizing our relationship with our dental students. As such, you will notice several upcoming opportunities for us to get together, share information and interact with fellow alumni here in Louisville and beyond:

Exciting alumni events on the horizon:

• Alumni Game at Louisville Bats Stadium (May 7th): Join us for an exhilarating evening of baseball and nostalgia as we gather at the Louisville Bats Stadium for our 3rd annual alumni game. Cheer on the Louisville Bats, enjoy an all-you-can-eat, catered meal underneath the cover of the right field pavilion, reconnect with fellow alumni, welcome the new graduates into the alumni fold and create lasting memories in the heart of our beloved city.

ULSD Alumni Council members

Officers

Dr. Sean A. Aiken ’18, President

Dr. Kristen E. George ’09, Immediate Past President

Directors

Dr. Babatunde Agbola ’16

Dr. Jacob R. Bishop ’16

• Football Tailgate for Game Against Georgia Tech (September 21st): Mark your calendars for a sponsored tailgate as we prepare to face off against Georgia Tech. We will have several spots in the WhipMix parking lot a few blocks from the stadium along with food/beverages provided for both students and alumni. Join us for pre-game festivities, delicious food, and camaraderie.

• Continuing Education Events at Clayton & Crume: Expand your knowledge and network at two exclusive continuing education events hosted at the beautiful upstairs meeting space at Clayton & Crume, a local leather shop started by ULSD Alumni Tyler Jury, DMD ‘16. Stay tuned for more details.

As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of alumni engagement, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering meaningful connections, supporting our alma mater, and empowering our alumni community to thrive. We’re grateful for your continued involvement and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Warm regards,

Sean Aiken, DMD ’18, MS President, ULSD Alumni Council

Dr. Tyler J. Brockman ’23

Dr. Aaron T. Brown ’18

Dr. Chaney M. Brown ’23

Dr. Ansley H. Depp ’93

Andrea M. Edelen, DH ’97

Dr. Brooks A. Laffoon ’23

Dr. Dennis A. Perry Sr. ’83

Dr. Mark J. Schulte ’77

Dr. Jenna R. Schulten ’10

Dr. Jay B. Sheats II ’99

Dr. Kelly A. Underwood ’06

Dr. Crunchy T. Wells ’95

Dr. Tony Wells ’96, ’99

Dental Hygiene Legacy Alumni Council Council update:

Fellow Alumni,

For this spring update from the Dental Hygiene Legacy Alumni Council, I want to reflect on how long we have been around from starting off as a group of dedicated graduates and faculty that were integral in helping to reshape the Dental Hygiene Program in the early 2000s when it transitioned into a four-year bachelor’s degree to becoming a full-fledged alumni council at the university level under the Louisville Alumni office.

Here are some of our past successes as we advocate for the future of our great profession:

• Assisted with the establishment of an accredited four-year baccalaureate degree program.

• Established the Dental Hygiene Legacy Fund, a $50,000 endowed fund that awards two scholarships each year.

• Organized the Dental Hygiene Program’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2004 and the 60th anniversary celebration in 2014.

• Established the Woodward/Burch Floss Walk, which is now in its 21st year.

• Alumni funded over $35,000 to provide the program their own discretionary fund for program needs.

• Established the Legacy Alumni Award to be given to an outstanding alumna/us at our annual Symposium.

• Raised $50,000 to name the “The Legacy Room” at the dental school.

We couldn’t have done it without so many of you! Your support both financially and personally has allowed the ULSD Dental Hygiene Program to graduate the best professionals while maintaining the excellence we have come to expect of our professional program.

I hope you will mark your calendars for this year’s Legacy Symposium on Saturday, October 12, at The University Club. This annual event includes continuing education sessions and exhibitors that will speak to us about their latest products.

Virginia L. Woodward, RDH ’71

Chair,

Dental Hygiene Legacy Alumni Council

Dental Hygiene Legacy Alumni Council members

Officers & Directors

Virginia L. Woodward, DH ’71, Chair

Pamela D. Barnes, DH ’77

Mary Ann Burch, DH ’68

Dr. Sharon C. Carpenter, DH ’75

Julie L. Drury, DH ’01

Andrea M. Edelen, DH ’97

Adam C. Hall, DH ’11

Jennifer L. Hasch, DH ’13

Linda P. Lewis, DH ’85

Amanda R. Lynch, DH ’05

ULSD Advisors

Sara Dunaway, Ex-officio member, DH Academic Counselor, Sr.

Dr. Jacqueline A. Singleton, Dental Hygiene Program Director

Council update:

ULSD Orthodontic Alumni Council

Dear Ortho Alumni,

First, I would like to give a huge thanks to Carl Gioia for being our leader the past 2 years. He truly embraced his position, and his commitment to our program is impressive.

Thanks to all who attended the 2023 Annual Meeting and to our Presenting Sponsor, uLab Systems. During the Annual Meeting, Dr. Sunita Chandiramani was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award. “Dr. C” (nicknamed by the residents) received her DMD in 1999, MS in Oral Biology in 2001 and Orthodontic Certificate in 2001 — all from ULSD. She immediately went into full-time teaching and completed her Boards. In 2007, she was asked to become program director of ULSD’s Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics and remained in that position until 2020.

During her tenure, Dr. C taught over 120 residents, passed 2 accreditations, ensured 100% pass rate on

written boards and played a key role in developing our program into what it is today. Presently, Dr. C is teaching part time and spends much or her time with her new grandson.

Also during the meeting, second-year resident Dr. Heather Swinson was honored as the recipient of the Robert A. Escher Endowed Graduate Orthodontics Scholarship. Congratulations to Dr. Swinson!

The 2024 Annual Meeting will take place on Friday, October 25, 2024. If you haven’t been before, or if it’s been a while, we hope you will join us. It’s a good time to reacquaint yourself with fellow residents, new residents, and Louisville. Everyone has a good time.

For more program news and photos, check out the latest edition of the Orthodontic Alumni Newsletter at louisville.edu/dentistry/ortho-newsletter

Robert E. Spiller Jr. ’80, ’90 Chair, Orthodontic Alumni Council

ULSD Orthodontic Alumni Council members

Officers

Dr. Robert E. Spiller Jr. ’80, ’90, Chair

Dr. Lauren Renaud ’18, ’20, Vice Chair

Dr. Jacob H. Britt ’21, 1st Director and Secretary

Dr. Ariel B. Wong ’20, 2nd Director

Dr. Gary L. Jennings ’99, 3rd Director

Dr. Carl D. Gioia ’11, ’13, Immediate Past Chair

Directors

Dr. Raina S. Chandiramani ’18

Dr. Jared O. Dean ’09

Dr. Ralph J. DeDomenico ’74, ’77

Dr. Amy B. Farnsworth ’92, ’95

Dr. Eric W. Hickman ’95

Dr. Scott Q. Little ’85

Dr. John K. Newcomb ’07

Dr. Krushan C. Patel ’19

Dr. Danielle L. Periago ’05, ’07

Dr. Carmen A. Quirk ’17, ’19

Dr. David C. Small ’95

Dr. Heather Swinson ’24

Dr. Justin M. Tristler ’12

Resident Representative

Dr. Brianna Bailey ’25

Dr. Lane Steinhaus ’24

Photo gallery:

Orthodontic Annual Meeting

During the 2023 Orthodontic Alumni Association Annual Meeting, Dr. Sunita Chandiramani ’01 (pictured at right with her daughter, Dr. Raina Chandiramani ’18) received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Heather Swinson (pictured below with Amy B. Farnsworth ’95) received the Robert A. Escher Endowed Graduate Orthodontics Scholarship. It was a beautiful October day, so many of the attendees gathered for a photo on the field at Lynn Family Stadium.

Alumni updates

Jorelle Alexander, DMD ’07

The current Chair of the Department of Oral Health for Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Dr. Alexander received the 2023 Medicine Award from the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. This honor is given to individuals who significantly contribute to health care delivery and create positive changes within institutions and systems. The Institute says, “Dr. Alexander is an extraordinary leader who is deeply committed to providing accessible and high-quality oral health care for all.”

Pooyan Sadr Eshkevari, Oral Surgery ’23

Dr. Eshkevari received the Resident Research Award at the 2023 AAOMS Annual Meeting in San Diego. Dr. Eshkevari graduated in June 2023 and now works at University OMS in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Monroe E. Harris Jr., DMD ’84

Dr. Harris is a Senior Partner at Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery. The practice was recently honored in Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia as the top oral surgery practice in central Virginia for third year in a row.

Matthew Riley, DMD ’16

Dr. Riley serves on the Board of the Kentucky Academy of General Dentistry, where he is the Director of Membership, and serves as the dental director of the Barren River Area Health Department. In March 2024 he joined the Board for South Central Bank. Dr. Riley practices at Riley Dental Group in Glasgow, Kentucky.

Jan-Néé B. Sheats-Mathis, DMD ’99

Dr. Sheats-Mathis has been appointed to a leadership position with The Links, Incorporated — one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other people of African ancestry. Dr. Sheats-Mathis practices Endodontics at Sheats Endodontic Group in Nashville, Tennessee.

Let us know when you, or a fellow graduate, receive special recognition so we may celebrate your success! Send alumni updates to Fran Williams, ULSD Alumni Affairs, at 502-852-5077 or fran.williams@louisville.edu

Dr. N. James Strull honored as 2023 ULSD Alumni Fellow

During the University of Louisville’s fall homecoming week, the School of Dentistry honored Dr. N. James (Jim) Strull as our 2023 Alumni Fellow.

Dr. Strull received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Louisville in 1962. He completed his residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in 1965, also at the University of Louisville. He established Strull Oral Surgery in Louisville in 1965 and opened another office in Seymour, Indiana, in 1999. He operates this practice with his son, Gregory Strull, who is also a University of Louisville School of Dentistry alumnus.

Dr. Strull has served as president of the Kentucky Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Louisville Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Southeastern Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, and Alpha Omega Dental Society. Dr. Strull has also been a faculty member at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 1994. Dr. Strull attends oral and maxillofacial surgery teaching rounds weekly to discuss cases with dental residents and interact with them. He established the Strull Family Oral Surgery Endowment to benefit oral and maxillofacial surgery residents with their training and education.

Jim and his wife, Nancy, live in Louisville and have been married 62 years. They have three children.

The School of Dentistry is looking for qualified faculty and staff to join our community of care. View openings at

Student spotlight:

Ariel Hernandez, DMD class of 2024

As a child, Ariel Hernandez was not a fan of going to the dentist. “I have a huge sweet tooth, so I had like, 20 cavities,” he said. “I was always in a dentist’s office. I hated it so much.”

During his undergraduate years, Hernandez had the opportunity to shadow a dentist in New Orleans. He had dreams of going into the medical field, but he hadn’t found his niche yet. So despite his childhood reservations about dentistry, Hernandez agreed to volunteer at the office.

During his first week, Hernandez assisted the dentist in treating a patient who needed dentures. “This patient had gone a long time without teeth, and I remember just seeing her face light up when she received her dentures because she said wasn’t so embarrassed to smile any more. She felt a little bit more confident in herself,” he said. “It was the impact that dentist had on her that made me rethink dentistry. I could have an impact on people’s lives.”

The former dentist-hater is now a fourth-year dental student at UofL, on a path to graduate in 2024. He hopes to then enter general dentistry with an additional interest in cosmetic procedures. “I like the idea of helping people smile and improving their health and confidence,” he said.

Ensuring people feel comfortable in their own skin matters to Hernandez. A native of Honduras, he is a first-generation immigrant to the U.S. and a first-generation college student. The eldest of four siblings, he often felt pressure to make something of himself and set an example for his siblings. “I want to show that, you know, these immigrants came to this country with nothing, and one of them became a doctor. To me, that’ll be a huge testament to what hard work, family values and belief in oneself can do,” he said.

Hernandez followed a friend and fellow dentistry student to UofL because of how highly she spoke of the program and the connections it allowed her to make. Hernandez was seeking a similar, comfortable place, where he could discover new experiences not only academically, but culturally. “Something that stood out to me was how accepting people were, how diverse this place is,” he said.

“Bridging that gap as a dentist who speaks more than one language helps people get access to good quality health care.”

- Ariel Hernandez

Hernandez found his ability to speak his native Spanish to be a benefit to his studies and field opportunities in Louisville. He mainly treats Spanish-speaking patients – including one patient who drives two hours to see someone who speaks Spanish – and often translates for his peers if needed. “Growing up having access to a dentist who spoke Spanish helped me and my family get our care. When we first came to the U.S. we didn’t know English, so it was a barrier,” he said. “For me, bridging that gap as a dentist who speaks more than one language helps people get access to good quality health care.”

And if he helps people get over their dislike of going to the dentist, that’s even better. “One (Spanish-speaking) patient told me recently ‘Hey, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be getting dental care’,” he said. “And, wow, that’s meaningful.”

Read more of Ariel’s story on UofL’s Here and Beyond website

JUNE 14-15, 2024

This year’s reunion weekend will honor DMD and Dental Hygiene classes ending in 4 and 9 spanning from 1969-2019.

Details and registration: uoflalumni.org/dentistry-reunions

Exploring Technological Advances in Dentistry

Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 9 a.m. - noon

Presenter: Ankur A. Gupta, DDS

Explore the incredible advances in tech, diagnosis, practice management and patient communication that make dental practice more enjoyable and predictable.

Details and registration: louisville.edu/dentistry/alumni-day

Alumni Day is dedicated to the memory of Bill Mansfield, DMD ‘53. His passion for the profession, and for the people within it, led to the creation of this special event. This program is sponsored in part by the University of Louisville School of Dentistry Class of 1964’s Dr. Ronald L. Henderson Memorial Lecture Fund

UofL

School of Dentistry

researchers are among the top 2% most-cited researchers in the world

Four University of Louisville School of Dentistry researchers are among the top 2% most-cited researchers in the world, according to a new list compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier. The list includes researchers whose work was the most cited — that is, referenced by another researcher — in either calendar year 2022 or over the course of their career. The list spans 22 disciplines, from business to engineering to medicine.

Researchers from ULSD on the list include:

Gill Diamond, PhD – Professor, Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases

For more than 30 years, Dr. Diamond has been studying antimicrobial peptides – which are naturally occurring antibiotics found throughout the body – and how these peptides function in host defense against infections in the lung and oral cavity. His main areas of research now are finding out ways we can enhance the expression of these peptides to prevent infections, and developing novel antibiotics based on their structure to treat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Dr. Diamond currently has three NIH grants.

Richard J. Lamont, PhD – Delta Dental Endowed Professor and Chair, Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases

Dr. Lamont’s research centers on the complex ecosystem of the oral cavity. “Periodontal disease isn’t caused by a single microorganism, but rather by a community of organisms working in concert,” says Dr. Lamont. “While that has been known for some time, we have discovered that bacteria within these communities can communicate with each other, just like when people get together in a group. Also, a bit like people, they can be bad actors — bacteria that instigate unruly behavior on the part of others. It’s this unruly behavior that leads to disease. We are working on ways to intercept this type of communication and keep the community well-behaved.”

He currently has five NIH-funded projects, including a robust training program designed to advance the careers of junior faculty. As chair of the predominant researchoriented department in the School of Dentistry, Dr. Lamont also works to foster collaborations at UofL and beyond.

Jan S. Potempa, PhD, DSc – Professor, Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases and University Scholar

An active researcher for more than 40 years, Dr. Potempa joined the University of Louisville School of Dentistry as a Professor and Academic Scholar in 2009. Simultaneously, Dr. Potempa has maintained his teaching and research position at the Jagiellonian University in Poland.

Dr. Potempa’s current scientific interest revolves around proteolytic events in the pathogenicity of infectious diseases. His investigations are focused on proteolytic enzymes of bacterial pathogens that play important roles in the deregulation of a number of physiological pathways and evasion of host immunity. Specifically, studies in Dr. Potempa’s laboratories concentrate on proteolytic systems of bacteria, including predominantly staphylococci and periodontal pathogens. He discovered new families of proteinase inhibitors and proteinases, referred to as staphostatins and gingipains, respectively. Furthermore, he found out that Porphyromonas gingivalis-derived gingipains could not only activate coagulation, fibrinolysis, and kinin pathways and signal through protease activated receptors in an unrestricted manner, but also deregulate host proteinase inhibitors through specific cleavage within their reactive site loops, thereby allowing for the additional involvement of host proteinases in the disease process. Dr. Potempa’s current research has expanded to enzymes from Prevotella intermedia and Tannerella forsythia. Dr. Potempa currently has two NIH-funded research projects.

William C. Scarfe, BDS, FRACDS, MS, FACD – Professor of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Department of Diagnosis and Oral Health

Dr. Scarfe has been a faculty member at ULSD since 1993. His primary research interests are clinical applications of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT imaging) and artificial intelligence in oral and maxillofacial radiographic diagnosis.

He is a reviewer for over 30 journals and is Directorelect of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.

ULSD moves to #20 in the United States on GRAS rankings for dentistry & oral sciences

In the ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS). released during the fall of 2023, the UofL School of Dentistry moved from #21 to #20 in the United States for Dentistry & Oral Sciences. Among dental schools worldwide, we are ranked #47. GRAS uses objective academic indicators and thirdparty data (including research activity) to measure the performance of universities around the world in various subjects.

Dr. Henry Greenwell posthumously honored as Periodontics Educator of the Year

During the 109th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), the Academy chose to honor two periodontics faculty members as Outstanding Periodontal Educator – including Dr. Henry Greenwell, who passed away in June of 2023. A graduate of the UofL DMD class of 1977, Dr. Greenwell went on to become a dedicated 35year faculty member. He was a program director of UofL’s Advanced Education in Periodontics program for over 25 years until his retirement in 2021.

In memoriam:

Dr. Feldman passed away on December 22, 2023. He was the preventive dentistry guru for ULSD during his time at the school, and he was devoted to being sure that students practiced what he preached.

Dr. Meffert passed away on December 31, 2023. Also known as “The Singing Dentist,” Dr. Meffert made our clinics a brighter place for many years with his positive outlook and constant encouragement. Dr. Meffert was in the ULSD DMD class of 1978.

Ms. Read passed away on January 10, 2024. A member of the dental hygiene class of 1959, her patience and kindness during her time as a dental hygiene faculty member made a difference for the many dental and hygiene students she mentored.

Dr. Stephen Feldman

Dr. Larry Meffert

Carol Read, RDH, MEd

Faculty & staff news

Dr. Abbie Beacham has been appointed to the American Psychological Association Society for Health Psychology 2024 Presidential Task Force on Health Psychologist Well-being. Dr. Beacham is an Associate Professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and is ULSD’s Director of Behavioral Science.

Dr. Grace De Souza has received a Gheens Foundation mini grant to support American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) students with their initiative “Oral Hygiene Literacy with Latinx families”. Dr. De Souza is an Associate Professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry.

Dr. Shirin Ghods has been notified that her application R03DE033707, titled “Cobalamin in Porphyromonas gingivalis Pathogenicity,” has been selected for potential funding by NIDCR. This research will focus on how the bacteria in our mouths can cause gum diseases like periodontitis, which could lead to new ways to treat periodontal diseases.

Dr. Tiffany McPheeters has been awarded a Gheens Foundation Community Engagement mini grant to support “Resources for home care providers on providing oral hygiene to homebound patients”. Dr. McPheeters is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry.

Dr. Daniel Montero has been appointed as the school’s Director for Digital Dentistry. In this position, he will play an important role by leading adoption of new technologies in preclinical and clinical settings. Dr. Montero is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitative & Reconstructive Dentistry.

Joan Scott was named UofL’s Research Administrator of the Year during the university’s Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Awards event. A part of the Department of Oral Immunology & Infectious Disease, Joan has provided research support to the school for more than 20 years.

New

full-time faculty in 2024 (so far!)

Dr. Gary Aud - clinical faculty at Community Dental Clinic in Owensboro

Dr. Sarah Franklin - oral pathology

Dr. Shirin Ghods - oral immunology & infectious disease (transition from research staff)

Dr. Kerry Goodin - clinical faculty at ULSD and off-site clinics

Dr. Madeline Hicks - clinical faculty at ULSD (transition from part-time to full-time)

Dr. Tim Naomi - General Practice Residency program director

Dr. Mark Ralph - clinical faculty at Community Dental Clinic in Owensboro

Dr. Ashton Samuels-Powell - clinical faculty at Goodwill practice in West Louisville

Dr. Shubham Sharmaorthodontics

Dr. Janice Wilson - clinical faculty at ULSD (transition from part-time to full-time)

Faculty retirements in fall 2023

Dr. Gay Baughman

Dr. Mark Bernstein

Dr. Bruce Cook

Dr. Robert Greene

Dr. David Maddy

Dr. Michele Pisano

Photo gallery:

Fall & winter at ULSD

August 16: Surrounded by friends, family, and classmates, five DMD students are honored as they take the oath to become commissioned officers in the United States Army — joining the ranks of hundreds of ULSD alumni and faculty who have served our country.

August 3: Officers from the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Louisville chapter welcome the newest D1 class to ULSD on day one of new student orientation for the DMD class of 2027.

September 9: The dental hygiene class of 2025, DMD class of 2027, and Advanced Standing class of 2025 are honored at the White Coat Ceremony at The Louisville Palace.

August 26: Members of ULSD’s chapter of the Student National Dental Association take part in a health screening event associated with the Walk to Save Black Men’s Lives.

October 2: ULSD Summer Research Program participants present their work to faculty and judges during the Research!Louisville dental research poster competition.

October 12: Dental students and faculty take part in the Health Sciences Center Pride celebration, which included a resource fair, speakers, and well-dressed ponies.

October: Members of the ULSD chapter of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) wear pink and purple scrubs during the month of October to support Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness.

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From endowed chairs to one-time donations, gifts from our alumni and friends allow us to attract and retain the best and brightest students, residents, and faculty.

Donate today to sustain a legacy of support and assistance at the School of Dentistry.

October 24: Students gather in the HSC Courtyard for Baila Conmigo!, an annual event at UofL that celebrates Hispanic Heritage month with food, fun, and dancing.

October 31: Faculty and staff take part in one of the school’s longtime traditions: dressing up in costumes for Halloween.

December 4: Member’s of the school’s SNDA chapter engage with local youth at Shop With a Dentist, in which they were able to take 15 elementary students shopping for holiday gifts purchased with donated funds. This was their fourth year hosting this event — and it was made even more special thanks to the return of the two alumni who started this event during their time in SNDA: Darius Sanford, DMD ’20 and Jessica Williams, DMD ’20.

March 25: Thirteen students from the Louisville Central High School Dental Magnet Program — a partnership between the UofL School of Dentistry and Jefferson County Public Schools — take the next step in their career: receiving their white coat and taking a pledge of professionalism as future dental professionals during a White Coat Ceremony.

January 26: Dr. Brian Shumway and Dr. Cynthia Metz are honored by students for Excellence in Basic Sciences Education during the school’s annual Basic Sciences Awards program.

Upcoming events at a glance

May

4

May

7

May

25

Orthodontics alumni reception at AAO Annual Session

New Orleans • Details

3rd Annual ULSD Alumni Night at the Ballpark

Louisville - Slugger Field • Details

Pediatric dentistry alumni reception at AAPD Annual Session

Toronto • Details

June

14-15

June

15

Reunions for DMD and DH class years ending in 4 and 9

Louisville - Various Locations • Details

41st Annual William J. Mansfield Jr. Alumni Day

Louisville - School of Dentistry • Details

Continuing education

In conjunction with the Association for Continuing Dental Education (ACDE), of which ULSD CE is a member, we continue to host live webinars covering a wide variety of dentistry topics. These presentations feature expert faculty across 30+ schools of dentistry in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to bookmark the ULSD CE website for the most up-to-date information on course offerings.