Fall 2020 Explorer Magazine
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UMKC School of Dentistry Alumni News Fall 2020 Vol. 77 No. 2 Ready for the future Amid uncertain times, the school and profession make plans for a promising future contents message from the interim dean UMKC School of Dentistry Alumni News Features 8 The global pandemic has shifted many plans for the future and the dental profession is no different. We catch up with industry Explorer is published twice each year for alumni leaders (including our alumni, and friends of the University of Missouri-Kansas I AM TRULY HONORED to serve as interim dean of the of course) to get a glimpse into City School of Dentistry. UMKC is an equal School of Dentistry. For several years, I have taught in the opportunity, affirmative action, ADA institution. what the future holds. We also dental curriculum and facilitated various interprofessional learn that those preparing our INTERIM DEAN, SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY education activities, allowing me to see firsthand how future dental professionals are Russell B. Melchert, Ph.D. great our students are — and to learn our staff, faculty not only adapting but thriving. MANAGER OF ALUMNI RELATIONS and alumni are second to none. In my current role, this Becky Higgins becomes more evident each day. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Hilary Wheat To me, “resilient” is the word that best describes our school EXECUTIVE EDITORS — a family of students, staff, faculty and alumni on the front Lisa Mallow lines of oral health and critical health science research. 12 Passion and excellent patient Anne Hartung Spenner Throughout the pandemic, everyone here remained care drive our alumni, and that EDITORS committed to the health and well-being of our students, can take them on a variety of Becky Higgins staff, faculty and patients. Everyone also worked hard to Bill Marse paths. Two of our alumni share ensure our students remained on time for completion their unique experiences of how MANAGING EDITOR of their programs. Learning continued through video Bryce Puntenney faith and the school’s dedication conferencing, recordings, online discussions and, of course, to service have guided them DESIGNER experiential education in clinics when we were able to reopen them. Indeed, we graduated another professionally. Jason Yates outstanding class of practice-ready dentists, hygienists, new specialists and scientists in 2020. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS John Carmody While the pandemic forced us to recalibrate and refocus, I believe we are emerging stronger and Brandon Parigo better prepared for the future. No doubt, it has been challenging in light of the severe, acute impact PUBLISHED BY: the pandemic has had on our educational and financial resources, especially when combined UMKC School of Dentistry Office of Alumni and Development with the pre-existing and chronic financial strain placed on higher education by reduced state 650 E. 25th St. appropriations. The university continues to reevaluate all academic programs and search for Kansas City, MO 64108 efficiencies and will likely have to make some difficult decisions in the coming years. Given the key 816-235-2060 | Fax: 816-235-5892 Relay Missouri (TTY): 800-735-2966 role our school plays in the university’s mission, and its role as the only publicly supported dental Email: [email protected] Departments school in the state, I expect the School of Dentistry to maintain its prominence at both UMKC and Web: dentistry.umkc.edu within the UM System. 2 Honor Roll of Donors SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: UMKC School of Dentistry 6 New Scholarships and UMKC Dental Alumni Though my role is temporary, I am absolutely committed to helping the school maintain its 15 Alumni News LinkedIn: UMKC Dental Alumni excellence and offer the most attractive dental school dean job in the country. I thank everyone 17 School News Instagram: @UMKCDentalAlumni for welcoming and teaching me about the key issues facing the school and the dental professions. Twitter: @UMKCDentalAlum 21 Coming Alumni Events A special thank you to the Rinehart Foundation and alumni boards for the continued and valued 21 Continuing Dental Education support given to our students, faculty and staff. Finally, I want to recognize and honor all donors contributing to our various programs. You are invaluable to our success. With gratitude, The School of Dentistry is a vital partner of Russell B. Melchert, Ph.D. the UMKC Health Sciences District, a group of health care institutions collaborating on Interim Dean, UMKC School of Dentistry research, clinical care, community wellness and health sciences education. www.umkchealthsciencesdistrict.org. 2 UMKC SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY ALUMNI NEWS « DENTISTRY.UMKC.EDU FALL 2020 » EXPLORER 1 honor roll of donors honor roll of donors A Message From the Chair Thanks to Our Many Generous Donors I’M NOT SURE WHY, but when summer turns to fall and the heat finally relents to cool autumn days, a wave of nostalgia flows through me. $100,000+ Mrs. Judith B. Haynes Mr. William A. Marse I am taken back to my high school, college and Dr. Randall S. Honda Ms. Carole P. McKnight especially dental school days. Those dental school Mr. Kent Sunderland Ms. Andrea Margolis Dr. Mark R. Medina days I’m reminded of are now more than 20 years The Sunderland Foundation Dr. Charles C. McGinty Dr. Ward A. Meyerhoeffer Jr. ago, the early days of internet and cellphones. Dr. Richardson L. McGuire Missouri Dental Association I remember filling out financial aid forms, taking Dr. Allen B. Reavis Missouri Fellows of the International out loans and lamenting the high cost of higher Dr. Russell and Mrs. Loretta Tabata College of Dentists education. When I received word I had been $50,000 - $99,999 Tigras Charitable Foundation Dr. Andrew S. Moore given a Rinehart scholarship my first semester Mr. M. Dean Wright Dr. James G. Nail at UMKC SOD, I was surprised and thankful. S. Orlando Somers Trust Dr. John and Ms. Frances Yoder Nail Dental The alumni fund certainly eased my burden, Dr. Alvin and Ms. Colleen Yoshida Dr. Julie E. Olson and I was touched by the generosity. Dr. Pamela R. Overman Dr. Douglas and Mrs. Bonnie Pearson And then I think about the plight of dental $25,000 - $49,999 Dr. Bernard W. Petkovich students today, especially in the middle of the $1,000 - $2,499 Dr. Phillip M. Poynter COVID-19 pandemic. My burden 20 years ago McDavid Dental Educational Trust Mr. William C. Quigg and Dr. Suzanne seems minuscule compared with that of the Dr. Paul and Ms. Devon Albertson Newell Quigg current student. As many of you know, the Dr. Richard Lawrence Anema Dr. Peter and Ms. Letticia Robinson amount of dental student debt is staggering. Drs. Mark and Melodee Armfield Dr. Gary McCabe Ross, DDS The pandemic has only increased the stress and $10,000 - $24,999 Drs. Blake and Clare Borello Dr. and Ms. Allan Y. Segawa burden on current students. The Roy J. Rinehart Dr. Jerry and Dr. Richard L. Briscoe Dr. William F. Slagle Jr. Foundation mission is to support these students, in Dr. Lawrence and Ms. Richelle Fujioka Ms. Sherry M. Burns Drs. David and Kelly Suchman addition to faculty and staff, through scholarships, GFT Charity Inc. Drs. Chris and Jayne Buttner Russell Tom, DDS endowments and professional development. KC Orthodontic Support & Research Dr. Robert L. Claassen University Dental Study Club Foundation Dr. Fred W. Distelhorst Mr. Robin and Dr. Crystal Walker An example of this support is the Student and Staff Emergency Fund, which has been set up recently Dr. Nancy L. Newhouse Dr. David J. Dung Drs. Robert and Loretta White with the goal to help students and staff in emergency situations where they are experiencing financial Noble Biocare Ms. Leslie Fankhauser Dr. Jarrod L. Williams hardship. Through this fund, I am proud to say that the foundation helped many students during this Dr. Herman and Mrs. Ardyce Sakimoto Fidelity Charitable Dr. Donald and Mrs. Kimberly Wilson difficult time. Fourth-year dental students were unable to start work because of postponed board Dr. and Dr. Ken J. Frick Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Lynda Younger exams, and many other students who had jobs during school were unable to work those jobs because Dr. and Mrs. Milton M. Fujiuchi of the pandemic. The stories I have read on the applications are heart-wrenching and I am glad the Dr. Eric Gottman school has this avenue to support its students. $5,000 - $9,999 Dr. Stephen Harrison Ms. Karen E. Haynes Every effort has been made to accurately I encourage all of you, as I do this time of year, to take a step back to your college days and Dr. Sam and Mrs. B. Jeannene Hayes Dr. Steven and Mrs. Leigh Hechler list each donor who has supported remember what it was like to be a student. The roller-coaster ride of highs and lows, the fun and Ms. Harriet Masunaga Dr. Ralph M. Hennessee the UMKC School of Dentistry from the stress. And remember those who helped and guided you through mentorship and generosity. Dr. R. Wayne and Mrs. I. Joyce Thompson Mrs. Paula M. Hiatt July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Obviously, the current students need our help now, more than ever. Thank you from the Rinehart Thompson Family Foundation Dr. Stephen and Ms. Sydney Hiatt If your name is misspelled, omitted or Committee, the staff and especially the students at UMKC SOD! UMKC Dental Hygienists' Alumni High Desert Dental incorrectly listed, we sincerely apologize Association Dr. Jay and Mrs. Rosalyn Hiramoto and ask you to call the Office of Alumni Dr. David Suchman (DDS ’00) Dr. Laila B. Hishaw and Development, 816-235-2060, so Chair, Rinehart Foundation Dr. James Brian Indiveri corrections can be made. Mrs. Ann L.