DENTAL MEDICINE - MORE THAN - University of Pittsburgh
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
PITT Winter 2018 DENTAL MEDICINE Serving Those with Special Health Care Needs for MORE THAN 50 YEARS
IN THIS ISSUE
4 APPROACHING
A CENTURY OF CARE 14 SAILING ON
Looking Back at
23 CELEBRATING
TOGETHER
Treating Patients with the Legacy and Alumni Celebrate
Special Health Care Career of Dean, the First Pitt Dental
Needs in the CPSN. Dr. Thomas W. Braun. Alumni Weekend
3 From the Dean 31 Dental Anesthesiology
Legacy Lecture
4 CPSN Receives ADEA Gies
Innovation Award 32 Faculty Updates
14 The Legacy of a Dean: 36 American Academy of
Recalling Dr. Braun’s Time Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons
at Pitt Dental Medicine Meeting comes to Pittsburgh WINTER 2018 Volume 16, Number 1
22 Messages from the 37 Genetic Clues May Be Dean Thomas W. Braun
Dental Alumni Association Hidden in Your Mouth Editor James Rosendale
President and Vice President
38 Caring for Local Children Dental Alumni Association
Dental Hygiene
at the Clubhouse President Lisa Babb
23 White Coat Ceremony
Welcomes the Class of 2021
39 Volunteer to Help Improve Vice President, Dental Affairs Cheryl Rosato
Pittsburgh’s Overall Dental Vice President, Dental Hygiene Susan Ban
24 Pitt Dental Alumni Weekend Health Secretary Arnold Peace
29 ACPA Returns Home with 42 In Memoriam Alumni Affairs Director Nancy Poe
New President-Elect Contributing Staff Alycia Maltony
44 Alumni Calendar
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
Office of Alumni Affairs and Development
440 Salk Hall, 3501 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh PA 15261
PITT Winter 2018
ON THE COVER dental.pitt.edu
DENTAL Pitt Dental Medicine is published
MEDICINE Students and Patients at
semiannually by the Office of the
the Center for Patients with Dean as a service to alumni, students,
Special Needs form very and friends. Its purpose is to facilitate
close bonds. Shown on our communication among alumni, students,
and friends of the School of Dental
cover is fourth-year student, Medicine. This publication holds itself
Ms. Katherine Ni and long- not responsible for opinions, theories,
time patient, Ms. Sandy Wills and criticisms therein contained.
during Sandy’s recent visit. University of Pittsburgh is
Serving Those with Special
Health Care Needs for
an affirmative action, equal
MORE THAN opportunity employer.
50 YEARS
2 PITT DENTAL MEDICINE
FROM THE DEAN
Dear friends,
It’s hard for me to consider the School of Dental institutions of which anyone would be proud. We
Medicine without feeling proud. For more than are in very fine company.
120 years the school has been a pillar of dental
education turning out dental practitioners, It takes consistent vigilance to retain and advance
researchers, and teachers. Today, there are this position for the school. To continue to be
more than 7,000 alumni of the School of Dental successful and assure our position well into the
Medicine around the world. The school is part of future, we will need to create a new contemporary
one of the finest and most distinguished public clinical facility. With the exception of our new
research universities in the country. research tower, we currently reside in clinics and
facilities which are at least fifty years old. In this
In recent years, the school has received regard alone we are not retaining our position
numerous William J. Gies Awards for Outstanding with our peer dental institutions and before long
Innovation in areas of research and service. we can fall behind. Working with the University,
Our researchers in the areas of craniofacial initial steps have been taken to explore this.
genetics and craniofacial regeneration, as well However, it will be an arduous and expensive path,
as in epidemiology have placed us in the top which will require all of our 7,000 alumni working
tier of all dental schools in the country. This year with the leadership of the school to secure such
the Center for Patients with Special Needs will an ambitious undertaking. I am asking each of you
be recognized by receiving a William J. Gies to work with the administration to see this project
Award at the annual American Dental Education come to fruition.
Association (ADEA) meeting as being unique
and innovative. This Center has become a model This will be my last Pitt Dental Medicine magazine
for several others around the country through as Dean. I am officially retired at the end of
not only providing care to those with disabilities January 2018. It has been an honor and privilege
but teaching and assuring the education and to serve the school of which I’ve been a part for
clinical training of our students in the care of so long. Please know that it is in excellent hands
these individuals. Our other Centers, such as the as I depart with an administrative staff led by
Multidisciplinary Implant Center, the Center for Interim Dean Bernard J. Costello, department
Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, and the Center chairs, faculty, staff, and students who are all
for Craniofacial Regeneration, all have received extraordinary. I shall continue watching the
national recognition in various ways. Our teachers progress of the school after I depart. I’m wishing
are known around the country and around the you all the very best and a healthy 2018.
world and the service we provide at all levels has
continued to be excellent. Sincerely,
I recently have been reminded that for nearly five
decades of the 12 that the school has existed, I
have been affiliated with it in some way. First, as
a student, then a resident, part-time and then Thomas W. Braun (DMD ’73, PhD ’77)
full-time faculty, and finally as an administrator. I Distinguished Service Professor and Dean,
have seen the school continue to grow and University of Pittsburgh
function at an extraordinary level with peer School of Dental Medicine
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 3 3
COVER STORY
Serving Those with Special
Health Care Needs for
MORE THAN
50 YEARS
In the autumn of 2008, after more than 50 years
providing multidisciplinary care for patients with
special health care needs, the University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine Center for Patients with
Special Needs (CPSN) was created as a Center of
Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh. This year,
we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the formal
dedication of the Center, which provides diagnostic,
preventive, restorative, and surgical services for
patients with intellectual disabilities, neurological and
behavioral disorders, and developmental disabilities.
Dental Anesthesiology resident, Dr. Braxton Henderson (DMD ’ 15) counsels patient,
Ms. Emily Mennetti, and her mother, Ms. Stella James, during a recent visit to the CPSN.
4 PITT DENTAL MEDICINE
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 5
COVER STORY
This year, the School of Dental Medicine also is throughout the school, the CPSN can treat a
the recipient of the American Dental Education very wide variety of medically complex patients
Association (ADEA) Gies Foundation 2018 with disabilities.
William J. Gies Award for Vision, Innovation and
Achievement for establishing the Center. This Patients with special health care needs face a
honor, which recognizes outstanding innovation number of unique barriers to obtaining quality
by an academic dental institution in support of dental care. Patients may have physical and/
dental education, illustrates once more why Pitt or mental disabilities, which may arise from a
Dental Medicine is one of the nation’s leading birth defect, an injury or disease, a neurological
dental schools. It distinguishes the school as an or behavioral disorder, or intellectual or
institution at the forefront of providing care to developmental disabilities. They may be unable
patients with special health care needs as well as to manage their own basic oral hygiene and
educating students, residents, faculty, staff and can challenge caregivers who are not properly
clinicians within the community to provide care to educated to provide regular oral care.
this patient population.
As a result, these individuals tend to be more
A Lifetime Tradition of Dental Care prone to oral disease than the general population,
yet they face more barriers than the general
The Center has been successfully caring for adults population to receiving the treatment they need.
and children with physical, mental or emotional The most basic obstacle is that there is a limited
limitations for decades. Alumni who were number of skilled and trained clinicians able to
students at the school during those decades long treat this population in an equally limited number
before the CPSN was designated, are very proud of dental practices in the community. Likewise,
of the care they were trained to provide to this the few university and hospital-based clinics
patient group—they have been carrying on this nationally that can treat them are significantly
legacy independently for decades. The Center, led overburdened, causing lengthy delays in care. It
by Dr. Thomas W. Braun, Dean and Distinguished is only by increasing the number of trained care
Service Professor, with current faculty members providers within patients’ communities that are
including Dr. Joseph Giovannitti, Chair of Dental able to work with special healthcare needs that
Anesthesiology and Chief of Special Needs we can increase access to care for this population.
Anesthesia, Dr. Lynne Taiclet, Director of the
CPSN, and Dr. Deborah Studen-Pavlovich, This was one of the principle reasons Dr. Braun
Pediatric Dental Residency Program Director and established the Center in 2008. “Teaching all
others, applies a multidisciplinary approach for graduates to be comfortable in treating patients
all patients and relies on support from the clinical with disabilities ultimately will reduce the burden
services provided by all School of Dental Medicine on these patients and their families.” He said. The
departments. Due to the CPSN’s enduring success second reason was that the school, itself, has the
and a continually expanding wait list for patient unique set of resources in its specialty faculty,
appointments, in 2014, the school’s clinical space including anesthesia, to provide the service along
was expanded to include an area devoted to with education. The Dental Medicine program
treatment for children and adolescents. The new expanded its curriculum school-wide to ensure
space features advanced equipment and full that graduates are well-trained, community-based
anesthesia capabilities, enabling the treatment of dentists, ready and willing to accept and care
an increased number and complexity of patients, for the population of patients with disabilities.
including those with special health care needs. Dr. Taiclet recognizes that “the increased need
Through decades of dedication and the to care for those with special health care needs
expansion of services to include every department
6 PITT DENTAL MEDICINE
“I am honored that the Center
for Patients with Special
Needs (CPSN) is being
recognized by the ADEAGies
Foundation and to have been
nominated by Dr. Thomas
Braun. We strive to ensure
that all communities will be
able to provide dental care for
each of these unique patients.
With the support of Dr. Braun,
the faculty and staff of the
CPSN, and the departments
within the school, the CPSN
has been able to grow, thrive
and educate many years of
students and residents.”
Dr. Lynne Taiclet, Director of the Center for
Patients with Special Needs
Top: Anesthesiology residents, Dr. Ashli Holland and Dr. Taylor Gordon prepare to administer anesthesia to a young patient,
Ms. Melissa McNally.
Bottom: Center for Patients with Special Needs faculty members include, from left to right, Dr. Jacqueline Scott (DMD ’12),
Dr. Lynne Taiclet (DMD ’85), and Dr. Jessica Zugi (DMD ’12).
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 7
COVER STORY
has sparked a need for the growth of programs The special needs curriculum carries on a legacy
to educate all dental providers and increase the of more than 60 years and looks to expand
number of facilities where care may be provided.” student experiences to include educational
opportunities for clinicians in the community.
Most of our graduates over the past six decades
Building on a Nearly have treated this population and are extremely
Century-Old Foundation proud of their training they received many
Historically, pediatric dentistry was the primary years ago. Recent graduates have successfully
conduit to care for patients with special health increased the number of special needs patients
care needs. Treatment for those with special in their early careers because of the training they
needs had its genesis in the School of Dental received in the CPSN. “Many of the students
Medicine Department of Pediatric Dentistry, that have graduated over the past few years are
which focused on making treatment available providing care for special needs patients within
while students gained the necessary training and their community-based practice. We want to
skills in special needs dentistry. Today, treatment continue to educate and encourage all of our
for special needs patients is included within alumni to devote a part of their practice to caring
the clinical and didactic curriculum of every for this population. Additionally, some past
department of the school. students already have returned to the school as
Dental students, left to right, Mr. Mat Rosinsky, Mr. Eric Wang, and Ms. Shruti Mukkamala, during treatment for patient,
Mr. Patton Gilliand, in the CPSN.
8 PITT DENTAL MEDICINE
“The future is bright. I am
optimistic that we can
continue to improve our
special needs treatment by
increasing availability to
anesthesia services.”
Dr. Joseph Giovannitti
Top: A group of First Professional Program students and Dr. Taiclet assist patient, Mr. Roy Noble, in maneuvering from his
wheel chair to the dental chair for treatment with the use of a transfer board. Students from left to right are: Ms. Piper Dizak,
(Class of 2019), Mr. Geng Tian (Class of 2018), and Mr. Jonathan Derlath (Class of 2019).
Bottom: Faculty and staff members in the CPSN include, from left to right, Dr. Elaina Kureichyk (DMD ’13), Ms. Josie Yvorra,
Ms. Elaine Ellenberger, Dr. Lynne Taiclet (DMD ’85), and Dr. David Veronesi (DMD ’95).
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 9
COVER STORY
faculty members to train upcoming generations residents from the Department of Maxillofacial
of practitioners.” Dr. Taiclet said, reflecting on Surgery. Along with increased complexity comes
the growth of special needs dentistry education increased risk.
within the school.
In 2006, the Commission on Dental Accreditation Faculty and students provide
of the American Dental Association (ADA) care for patients who have
mandated that all dental graduates must be
competent in assessing the treatment needs of
very complex medical
patients with special needs. Pitt Dental Medicine conditions. In one of the
expanded the curriculum in advance of this most difficult cases in the
to ensure that well-trained, community-based Center’s history, dental
dentists are ready and willing to accept and care was provided to an
care for the growing population of patients with
disabilities.
83-year-old female with
extensive multiple-organ
During an appointment, patients in the CPSN system impairments, a
can have care provided that is far beyond a complex history of severe
typical dental treatment. With thoughtful, coronary artery disease, who
interprofessional coordination, patients can have
had suffered two strokes,
complex medical procedures and tests performed,
such as blood draws, ear examinations,
was facing the onset of
gynecological examinations, and the removal dementia, and was rather
of small, benign growths. The School of Dental uncooperative, among many
Medicine coordinates with UPMC Presbyterian other medical complications.
regarding any special needs case that require a Unable to find a dentist in the
hospital operating room or postoperative care.
Additionally, caregivers, faculty, and students
community, her dental care
have an opportunity to provide patients with was successfully provided
other services during sedation that can be very by the CPSN utilizing
difficult to perform on this population. While it is intravenous sedation and
necessary to anesthetize many patients, the CPSN monitored anesthesia care.
is not relying exclusively on anesthesia. Instead,
they often utilize behavior management and/or
Undoubtedly, the most
protective stabilization. “Working with patients
medically compromised
who are awake (and not under anesthesia) is far patient the Center has had,
more fun and educational for students. They really there would have been no
enjoy the interactions they can have this way with way to complete her dental
patients.” said Dr. Taiclet. treatment without the
While the Center for Patients with Special
expertise afforded by the
Needs provides some care without anesthesia, faculty and staff of the CPSN.
special needs care is intimately tied to the
services provided by the Department of Dental
Anesthesiology. Dr. Joseph Giovannitti adds that continued on page 12
special needs cases at the school are becoming
more complex, and many of these patients rely
heavily on services provided by the Department
of Dental Anesthesiology, and the faculty and
10 PITT DENTAL MEDICINETREATING SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS FOR NEARLY A CENTURY
The School of Dental Medicine is
one of the primary dental providers
in the tri-state area for patients with
special needs. A formalized program
to treat patients with special needs
began in the Department of Pediatric
Dentistry in 1965 under the direction
of Dr. Arthur Nowak (DMD ’61) but
care for this underserved population
at the School of Dental Medicine
has been ongoing for almost a
century. Through this program,
pediatric dental residents were
trained to provide care to special
needs patients. At that time, the
clinic partnered with Department of
Dental Anesthesiology residents and
Dr. Leonard Monheim, department
chair, to provide comprehensive
anesthesia care to patients with
fellowship in dental care for the the school to accommodate
disabilities. During the 1960s, many
developmentally disabled at Stony several thousand patients, which
special needs patients lived only to
Brook, was well-equipped to serve includes more than 700 children
adolescence in institutions and not
these patients. He continued the and adolescents. The predoctoral
into adulthood within the community
student elective and under his tenure clinical rotations have included third
as they do today.
a mandatory weekly rotation for and fourth year dental students.
The clinical program evolved further fourth-year predoctoral students The selective program continues.
in the 1970s. Still, pediatric dental was initiated. Oral and maxillofacial surgery
and anesthesiology residents residents rotate on a bimonthly
In October, 2008, the Center for
provided the care, but now the basis to perform the more difficult
Patients with Special Needs opened
predoctoral pediatric dental surgical cases. Pediatric dental,
as a University of Pittsburgh Center
curriculum added lectures regarding anesthesiology, and nurse anesthetist
of Excellence, realizing the long-held
the treatment of special needs residents as well as dental hygiene
vision of Dr. Thomas Braun, Dean
patients. The clinic was limited to students all rotate through the
of the School of Dental Medicine,
only one half-day per week. Center to provide their expertise in
to create a University Center of
providing optimal dental care. This
In the mid 1980s, Dr. Jay Reznik Excellence that provided dental care
multi-disciplinary approach has
(DMD ’72) was appointed Director for the special needs population,
allowed the Center to treat so many
of Special Needs Services in the and educational opportunities for
more dental patients than it did at
Department of Pediatric Dentistry students and dental professionals.
its inception.
where he expanded the services He asked Dr. Erik Scheifele to
offered. Patients were becoming serve as the Center’s Director, The CPSN grew further in 2014
deinstitutionalized and many who developed a special needs with the creation of two general
special needs patients were living foundational lecture course for anesthesia (GA) suites housed
independently as well as in group third-year students; expanded dental within the Department of Pediatric
homes. As their dental needs became services; and hired new faculty. Dr. Dentistry. Comprehensive dental care
more important to them, they came Lynne Taiclet subsequently became for children and adolescent patients
to the School of Dental Medicine to the clinic’s next director. Medical can now be completed in one-central
receive care. An elective program advances allowed members of the area in state-of-the-art facilities.
was started for predoctoral dental special needs population to live Young people who have been
students that coincided with an longer, healthier lives, increasing the diagnosed with autism, moderate
increase in services from a one-half- importance of dental care for them to severe psychological disorders
to a full-day clinic. into adulthood and old age. such as depression, self-mutilation,
borderline personality disorder, and
Dr. John Geary (DMD ’91) became bipolar disorder can receive the
The Center has risen to new
the Director of the clinic where highest-quality dental care through
heights. In 2008, the dental school
those with special needs were these GA suites.
could only treat about 560 special
treated. Dr. Geary, a general dentist
needs patients annually whereas,
who had completed a one-year
the created Center has allowed
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 11COVER STORY
ontinued from page 10 treatment beyond the school into the community
was included as a long-range goal prior to the
Championing a New Future creation of the Center.
for Special Needs Dentistry
The School of Dental Medicine Department of
The School of Dental Medicine is carefully Continuing Dental Education is an important
considering future goals and opportunities for the component of the school and a vital part of
CPSN. Limited access to care for patients with the mission of CPSN, providing our alumni and
special healthcare needs—across Pennsylvania practitioners in the community with the necessary
and nationally—means that improving treatment knowledge and skills to ensure exceptional
availability remains at the heart of the mission delivery of oral healthcare services to this
of the Center, now and into the future. Offering population. Dental medicine faculty members and
educational and clinical presentations to guest lecturers provide special needs dentistry
healthcare providers and students in other Pitt courses at regional university dental schools
schools and departments, to other universities, comprising didactic and clinical training for
and to dentists and dental hygienists in private attendees where treatments are performed on
practice is paramount to reaching the goal of some of the host school’s special needs patients.
educating existing dental providers to better These presentations model a potential national
serve the special needs population. training program in special needs dentistry.
As the complexity of patients’ medical conditions Within the School of Dental Medicine,
increases, reaching out beyond the limits of the multidisciplinary treatment takes place through
school building to work in concert with local, coordinated efforts between local and regional
regional, and national health providers is and will hospitals and the five other Pitt Schools of
be an important component to the growth of the Health Sciences. To improve the benefits to our
CPSN. Expanding special needs education and community, the school may consider adding new,
Fourth-year student, Katherine Ni, enjoys a smile with one of the Special Olympics Participants
for whom she made a mouth guard.
12 PITT DENTAL MEDICINEor strengthening and expanding educational be performed on the special needs population, to
relationships among the health sciences schools study the microbiome specific to this population
to include special needs training programs. so as to develop new, customized treatments, and
Additionally, creating new higher-level special to consider variations among those individuals
needs educational opportunities for dentist from collectively known as patients with special
other universities or the community offers the healthcare needs.
following benefits: patients with more significant
restorative needs can be treated within the Finally, future expansion plans will support
Center; the consistency of care for patients would improvements and increases in the number
improve; support for faculty in the Center would and complexity of patients able to be treated.
improve; and they would be able to take special Other modifications about the delivery of
needs education back to their home community interdisciplinary services throughout all
or university. departments also will improve the treatment
given to all special needs patients, regardless of
Outreach, either through visiting other universities where they receive care within the school.
or welcoming these faculty members into our
dental school, can afford them the training and At a critical point in their long history, the
guidance needed to carry the mission of the CPSN has every opportunity to have continued,
CPSN into locations across the United States significant influence on the manner in which
and abroad. dental and other medical treatments are provided
to those patients with special healthcare needs.
Other dental institutions have modeled their own Building on the work that already has been
special needs dental centers on the success of the done here at the School of Dental Medicine will
Pitt CPSN. Administrators and faculty members include many new and expansive measures,
from New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, and many other including training and education of new dental
states, as well as representatives from dental and other healthcare providers, expanding
schools in Europe and China, have toured the services to patients, increasing the space and
CPSN in order to collect ideas as they establish equipment used to provide that care, and creating
their own centers. Sharing our success in creating visionary solutions to some of the many concerns
the Center from the ground up as a consultant to presented above.
universities who seek to create their own clinics
for patients with special healthcare needs. To realize the future of this ongoing effort, we
need your help. The CPSN, including the new
While training, education, and treatment of this dental pediatric clinic, was made possible through
population remain the primary objectives of the the continued vision and support of Dean Braun,
CPSN, discovery can enlighten and contribute as well as the support and dedication of alumni,
new dimensions into the future of how care is faculty and members of our community including
delivered to this population. Dr. Alexandre Vieira, the FISA Foundation, Highmark Foundation,
professor at the School of Dental Medicine, is Massey Charitable Trust, the Eamon Foundation,
the director of the Dental Registry and DNA The International College of Dentists and the
Repository (DRDR). In the DRDR, School of University of Pittsburgh.
Dental Medicine patient DNA is conserved,
organized and deidentified for international To help support this important cause and dental
research use. Recently, Dr. Vieira received IRB care for those with special healthcare needs at
approval to expand the DRDR to include patients the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental
in the CPSN on a case-by-case basis. Among the Medicine, please contact Mr. Paul Casey at
goals of this new endeavor are improving and 412-383-7544 or pbc8@pitt.edu.
expanding outcomes of research that now may
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 13THE LEGACY OF RETIRING
DEAN THOMAS W. BRAUN
The School of Dental Medicine dean, Dr. Thomas W. Braun (MD ’73,
MDS ’73, PhD ’77), has spent his entire education and career at the
University of Pittsburgh. He has celebrated numerous milestones
and notable achievements here. His affection for and dedication
to the University and the School of Dental Medicine are not only
evident in his years of service, but also palpable when he speaks.
Many colleagues are quick to point out “his love and loyalty for
Pitt.” It is no surprise, then, that his decision to retire at this time
involved selfless reasons for the betterment of the program.
“Tom Braun has “The school’s going through
a new building project, which
more years,” he said. “But I just
felt it was time to move aside
distinguished himself is going to be multiple years and let younger and better
in length,” Dr. Braun recently people do that.”
in every facet of his said about his decision to step
down effective January 31, Dr. Braun’s retirement will
professional and 2018. Although he considered coincide with his 70th birthday.
personal life. He is an staying on until 2020, “I felt that
it would be more advantageous
At the urging of his loved ones,
he now will enjoy more quality
inspiring role model for that I move aside now and let time with family, including his
someone come in who can see wife, Liz; their three daughters;
his students, faculty, this through, rather than leaving and their three grandsons.
and colleagues, and his the school in the middle of it.” He also plans to spend much
more time sailing on the
contributions will have As part of his transition, Dr. Chesapeake Bay in Virginia,
Braun recently stepped away a longtime hobby.
a long enduring impact from surgical cases to make
room for new talent. “I stopped Of particular concern to his wife
on the entire University operating in January, just (and even a few colleagues), Dr.
community as well as because it was time. My last
case was a major reconstructive
Braun also has made a rather
unique retirement promise:
the field of oral and surgical case, which was great, “Those days when I used to
and I feel that I was perfectly operate pretty much five days
maxillofacial surgery.” capable of operating several a week, I got out of the habit of
Arthur S. Levine, MD,
Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences
John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of Medicine
Professor of Medicine and Molecular Genetics
14 PITT DENTAL MEDICINEeating lunch. So now I just As Bernard J. Costello, DMD, and principled career, sharing
don’t,” he laughed. “But that MD, FACS, steps in as interim the lessons they learned from
is one thing in retirement, I dean and a committee searches him, and recognizing the many
promised my wife I’m going to for a decanal successor, Dr. remarkable ways he affected the
try to get back in the habit of Braun’s colleagues and friends education of Pitt students and
eating lunch.” are celebrating his impactful care of patients.
“Dr. Braun leads with integrity, fairness, and a clear commitment to the institution with
the idea that the University has a tremendous amount to offer the public.”
Dr. Bernard J. Costello, Senior Associate Dean
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 15THE LEGACY OF RETIRING
DR. BRAUN AS A STUDENT the doors which opened, and and successfully pursued a
they took me there.” doctorate degree in anatomy—
Looking back on his own while completing his residency in
career, Dr. Braun credits his His curriculum vitae paints a oral and maxillofacial
successful career/path with a significantly more rigorous surgery at, then, Presbyterian
series of almost non-decisions, academic path. In 1969, Dr. Braun University Hospital.
simply steps that followed his earned a bachelor of science
aptitudes and opportunities that degree in biology from the Successfully and simultaneously
presented themselves. In fact, University of Pittsburgh, followed completing both extraordinarily
when he was newly graduated by not one but three impressive rigorous programs of study
from high school, he imagined degrees in the decade that cannot be overstated, according
himself joining the clergy. “But I followed: In 1973, he graduated to longtime colleague Mark W.
did better in sciences than I did summa cum laude from the Ochs, DMD, MD. The two met
in philosophy, and so forth,” he University of Pittsburgh School when Dr. Ochs was a student.
said. “So in college, I decided of Dental Medicine with a doctor “He struck me as someone who
I’d like to go to dental school. I of dental medicine (DMD). He was very curious about anatomy.
was pretty sure I wanted to be was valedictorian and class Surgery itself is a very long track,
a general dentist, but in dental president. The very same year, but he was willing to go the
school, again, my aptitude he received a master’s degree extra distance to achieve that
seemed to be more with surgical in pharmacology from the higher level of understanding,”
sciences. And so I just entered University. Then, he immediately said Dr. Ochs, now Associate
Dean of Hospital Affairs and
Chair of the Department of Oral
and Maxillofacial Surgery.
In his characteristically humble
and low-key manner, Dr. Braun
admits, “It was busy.”
“Having it to do over, I’m not
sure I would have simultaneously
pursued the PhD while I was
in residency. That was a bit
more than I bargained for!”
he laughed. “But they’re
interrelated, certainly. Anatomy
provides direction for surgery.
I was able to study various
At the opening reception for Salk Pavilion, Dr. Braun was joined by Dr. Patricia
aspects of anatomy that had
Kroboth, Dean of the School of Pharmacy; Mr. Scott Bernotas, Associate Vice
Chancellor, Facilities Management; Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor; and Dr. Arthur been experimental at the time.
Levine, Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences, and John and Gertrude And the field of maxillofacial
Petersen Dean of the School of Medicine.
“Dr. Braun taught me a lot about professionalism. You don’t always have to agree,
but you have to work together.” Dr. Mark W. Ochs, Associate Dean for Hospital Affairs
16 PITT DENTAL MEDICINE“A few years ago, a colleague of mine brought some eggs in for me from the chickens
at his home. He left them by my office door, but I had already left for the day. My office
is near Dr. Braun’s, and when Dr. Braun realized what had happened, he put the eggs in
the refrigerator for me. He let me know by writing a limerick to that effect, and I don’t
know when I have laughed harder.” Dr. Jean O’Donnell, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
surgery was growing at the time. of his career with clear joy and the rewarding nature of that
Pursuing both together gave enthusiasm, describing teaching work endures. “30 years ago, I
me an opportunity to study, and performing surgery as had a patient whose face had
participate in, and contribute to rewarding and fun. grown abnormaly, and I had a
that growth.” suspicion of what it was and
“That’s the one thing that helped diagnosed it on radiographs.
me keep my sanity,” he joked. We discovered that he had a
DR. BRAUN AS TEACHER, “In fact, that’s when I find myself brain tumor. He was able to get
SURGEON, AND WIZARD OF OZ most relaxed, is in the operating the appropriate surgery—brain
room. I’ve been very fortunate. surgery to remove the tumor—
Dr. Braun joined the University
Through most of my professional and then I was able do his
of Pittsburgh’s School of Dental
career, I thoroughly enjoyed reconstructive surgery. I ran into
Medicine faculty as a part-time
operating and teaching in the him a week ago at the museum,
anatomy instructor in 1977
operating room, which which was fascinating, and he
and soon became an assistant
is where I had continued remembered me,” Dr. Braun said.
professor. He later transitioned
teaching up until the time I “And just yesterday, I ran into
to teaching oral and maxillofacial
stopped operating.” another woman for whom I did
surgery, rising through the ranks
facial reconstructive surgery—
of assistant professor, associate
Even though he stepped away that was, again, 20-plus years
professor, and professor with
from his surgical role in January, ago—and she still remembers
tenure. He looks back on that era
and is very grateful. It’s very
gratifying when you’re able
to do something positive for
someone…It’s hard not to feel
proud of that.”
“His patients love him so much
and never have a bad thing to
say about him,” said Ms. Alice
Gross, Receptionist and Patient
Coordinator in the Department
of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
“I remember a woman coming
in crying. She was talking only
out of the right side of her
mouth because her left side
Dr. Thomas Braun is joined by COL Priscilla Hamilton (DMD ’83) and
was paralyzed. She could not
COL Shane Bagby (DMD ’93) at the 2017 Dean’s Scholarship Ball.
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 17THE LEGACY OF RETIRING
“Tom Braun is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met and clearly recognizes the
value in focusing on the strengths, versus the weaknesses, of others. I think this skill
enables him to be a master in identifying and grooming talent—a trait of a resourceful
and transformative leader. He has taught me to expect that it’s ‘hard to do the right
thing’—and that simple difficulty, and/or internal unrest, should not deter one from
doing what is right.” Dr. Marnie Oakley, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
wait to see Dr. Braun. I was not and some difficult decisions.” School of Dental Medicine
in the room to hear his magical work in conjunction with
words, but she came out with a The unification was necessary, some of the most prestigious
full smile on her face. From then according to Dr. Braun, because institutions in the nation,
on, I called him The Wizard of Oz two competing programs on including the National Cancer
that is behind the curtain of our opposite sides of the street Institute, the Department of
weakened both. It was Health and Human Services,
department. Many of his patients
essential to create a unified, and the National Science
were like her, and not one of
strong, university-based, Foundation. Education website,
them left disappointed.”
six-year MD/DMD program, StartClass, likewise ranks the
with a strong emphasis on school seventh.
research and science and an
DR. BRAUN AS ADMINISTRATOR excellent reputation.
In 1990, Dr. Braun was named DR. BRAUN AS DEAN
chair of oral and maxillofacial “Making those come together
With the program united and
surgery and embarked on really ruffled a lot of feathers, in
growing stronger year after year,
a starkly contrasting and a lot of areas. And at one point
Dr. Braun assumed progressive
challenging time in his career. it ultimately became a major
decanal roles throughout the
“I was given this challenge. The confrontation among a number
1990s: associate dean for
program was a multitude of of entities,” Dr. Braun recalled.
hospital affairs, senior associate
entities. There was a surgery “But we were able to combine
dean, interim dean, and
program at Presbyterian Hospital Presbyterian Hospital, Montefiore
ultimately dean in 2000.
and another one at Montefiore Hospital, and the Eye and Ear
Hospital. And there was a loose Hospital into a unified program
At the time of his appointment,
affiliation with the school. So, that was based here. I was able
Arthur S. Levine, MD, Senior
when I came, Dr. Tom Detre, to recruit some extraordinary
Vice Chancellor for the Health
who was at the time the Senior people who have been excellent
Sciences, praised many of Dr.
Vice Chancellor at the medical and dedicated to the program.
Braun’s leadership qualities,
center, essentially charged me Under their direction, they made
particularly his proven ability
with making those things come what I I believe has become, one
to overcome obstacles and
together,” he said. “Of course, of the finest programs in one of
the finest dental schools in the bring change: “He is known
everyone had their own domain
country.” throughout the national dental
and no one wanted their domain community as a superb clinician,
to be taken. And yet, each one
Indeed, the school is ranked in teacher, administrator, and an
needed to yield if there was
the top 10 dental schools for outstanding leader in advancing
going to be a central organized research and practice in dental
structure. And so it required National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) medicine…He has demonstrated
some hurt feelings, I think,
funding. Researchers at Pitt an exceptional commitment to
necessary change, the ability
18 PITT DENTAL MEDICINEto develop a consensus that “The purpose of the Center The program was the first clinic
would allow change to be is not only taking care of of its kind nationally and has
undertaken effectively, and, most people with disabilities, which become a blueprint for others
importantly, a true vision for is essential, but to train our like it across the country. Dr.
the future of dental education, students so that when they leave Braun not only came up with the
research and practice.” here, they’re comfortable taking idea for the Center but fought
care of people with special to make sure it offered the best
During his tenure as dean, needs—because not everyone possible care, which meant
that vision led to the 2008 needs to go to a major center no secondhand equipment.
opening of the Center for like this. A lot of people can Characteristically, Dr. Braun
Patients with Special Needs be cared for in a private office, felt that people who have the
(CPSN) which provides but the dental practitioner least deserve the best, not our
multidisciplinary care, including needs to know that they can do hand-me-downs. That belief
anesthesia when needed, it,” Dr. Braun explained of the charted the course for
for patients with physical, uncommon model. the Center.
developmental, neurological, and
behavioral disabilities.
Ms. Elaine Ellenberger, office
administrator in the CPSN,
highlighted the need for the
Center and its uniqueness:
“Dr. Braun is a compassionate,
knowledgeable, quiet, and
steady leader. He recognized
that there are people in
the community in need of
specialized dental care and was
instrumental in opening the
Center for Patients with Special
Needs to serve them. Under Dr.
Braun’s leadership, the School
of Dental Medicine recognizes
the need to have more trained
providers in the community. The
school is one of the few in the
country that requires all third-
and fourth-year students and
all dental hygiene students to
complete rotations in the center An image from the very popular ALS Ice bucket challenge video made
as a requirement of graduation.” by Dr. Braun and School of Dental Medicine associate deans.
“Dr. Braun has an innate way of making you want to do well for him and the school. He
has always impressed me with his calm, reassuring demeanor. He takes the time to know
his staff and make them feel valued and appreciated. His contributions will have a long,
enduring, positive impact on the entire University of Pittsburgh community.”
Ms. Kristen M. Zeigler, Manager of IMS and Central Stores
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 19THE LEGACY OF RETIRING
“Dr. Braun never put his own personal agenda ahead of the school or University. His quiet
leadership style allowed him to excel professionally, yet you would never know about it;
he would never promote himself.” Dr. Christine Wankiiri-Hale, Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Not only did the school make tissue regeneration and levels of national recognition
major clinical strides under Dr. biomaterial advances made in research, for fostering a
Braun, but it also transformed at the University to develop predoctoral program that
its research program. Robert J. treatments for wounds and promotes clinical competency in
Weyant, DMD, DrPH, Professor defects of the face and a comprehensive care structure,
and Chair of the Department skull that restore function and for making recruitment of
of Dental Public Health, said, and appearance top-tier faculty a chief priority.”
“One of his most important
accomplishments has been his • Center for Oral Health In addition, Dr. Braun brought
oversight of the process of the Research in Appalachia, the school into the age of digital
transition of the school from a which identifies factors that dentistry, bringing in software
relatively research-weak school lead to oral health disparities for virtual surgical planning,
to one of the most prominent in patients and families in establishing a simulation clinic
research schools in the United Appalachia, a region with the so dental students can perform
States,” he said. “He engenders largest burden of oral health mock surgery on mannequins
trust and a sense that he will do problems per capita in the and get feedback, and being
what he says. His commitment United States. an early adopter of cone beam
to achieving excellence for the technology, which allows 3D
school is undeniable.” Dr. Costello also commended imaging and virtual planning.
the dean’s focus on research:
During his tenure, Dr. Braun was “The School of Dental Medicine
instrumental in the establishment has risen from a dental school DR. BRAUN AS A NATIONAL
the following centers that share that was highly relevant to our LEADER IN THE FIELD
a research focus critical to the regional community to an entity
In addition to his hospital-
school’s success: that is respected nationally and
and University-level roles,
internationally because of the
Dr. Braun is an internationally
• Center for Craniofacial and quality of its programs and the
recognized leader in his field.
Dental Genetics, which uses eminence of its research. We
He has lectured and published
statistical and molecular have risen well into the top
widely, served as President of
genetic methods to map 10 NIDCR-funded institutions,
the American Board of Oral
and identify genes, develop and this is a direct result of Dr.
and Maxillofacial Surgery,
phenotypes, and investigate Braun’s leadership to recruit and
was president of both the
behavioral and epidemiological cultivate this activity.”
Pennsylvania Society of Oral
factors that influence gene
and Maxillofacial Surgeons and
expression as it relates to Marnie Oakley, DMD, Associate
the Great Lakes Society of Oral
craniofacial development. Dean for Clinical Affairs, agreed.
and Maxillofacial Surgeons,
“While a tremendously gifted
and served as Chair of the
• Center for Craniofacial and compassionate surgeon,
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Regeneration, which Dr. Braun should be credited Foundation. He was elected into
uses ground-breaking for leading our school to higher the American College of Dentists
20 PITT DENTAL MEDICINEand the International College want a job to be done well, give DR. BRAUN LOOKS TO THE
of Dentists, among many other it to a busy person.’ And that FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL
honors for his dedication to has worked for me. With any of
the University, the discipline, the associations that I’ve been So that the school can continue
to build on the progress made
his patients, and those with involved with, you think you’re
under his leadership, Dr. Braun
special needs. giving something, but you’re
believes it is time to not only
actually getting much more in
refurbish the school’s current
When asked how he juggled so return. Being able to learn from
home but also build a new
many additional responsibilities, your colleagues, your peers, your
clinical facility.
Dr. Braun said lightly, “I was told experiences, it’s very enriching in
when I was a resident, ‘If you so many ways.” “Almost any of the notable
schools that are our peers have
new clinical facilities. We have
“Dr. Braun is the most amazing, kind soul I have met been struggling just to keep
ours in order. We really need to
at the University of Pittsburgh. He always made me strongly reconsider an entire
reorganization and new building.
comfortable and always talked to me as an equal. If this school is to remain as
I am blessed to have worked with him and to call him vibrant and as recognized as
it is, I strongly believe that the
my friend.” new dean will need to be looking
to creating an entirely new
Ms. Alice M. Gross, Receptionist and Patient Coordinator
clinical facility.”
And he knows that such a
project would be in very capable
hands. Of all the extraordinary
accomplishments throughout
his exemplary career, Dr. Braun
believes that his masterpiece is
the group he is leaving at the
helm. Through the years, he has
consistently sought people with
integrity and the ability to say
no. He wants those around him
to know how to “do the right
thing, at the right time, for the
right reasons.”
“The one thing I’m extremely
proud of is creating the
leadership team that’s here. They
are extraordinary. I could walk
out of here and get hit by a bus
today, and the school will be
just as good—possibly better—
because those individuals are in
Dr. Mark Nordenberg with Ms. Liz Braun and Dr. Braun place. They are who make the
at the 2015 Dean’s Scholarship Ball. •
school what it is.”
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 21Letter from the Letter from the
DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT
Hello and happy 2018! Hello all,
On behalf of dental hygiene alumni, I would like to
The new year holds a lot of exciting and special
congratulate Dean Thomas Braun on the momentous
events for the School of Dental Medicine Dental
occasion of his retirement. He has been an exceptional
Alumni Association. The most notable of these is the
leader and steward of the University of Pittsburgh School
retirement of our admirable dean, Dr. Thomas Braun.
of Dental Medicine, and our dental hygiene program
After many years of dedicated service to making
has benefited directly from his commitment to the goal
our school a nationally recognized institution, Dr.
of a broader education for all students. As mentioned
Braun is stepping down. You’ll learn more about his
elsewhere in this issue, it was Dr. Braun who insisted
numerous accomplishments and contributions to Pitt
that dental hygiene students participate in the school’s
Dental Medicine in the spotlight article on page 14.
innovative Center for Special Needs, thus preparing them
One of Dean Braun’s most remarkable achievements,
to deliver care to special needs patients in their own
the opening of the Center for Patients with Special
communities. He also supported our program’s initiative
Needs, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
to grant an associate’s degree to our students. Dr. Braun
You’ll find more about the CPSN on page 4, including
has significantly raised the profile of the school from
the dedicated faculty and staff who have contributed
which we’ve graduated. Thank you, Dean Braun, for your
to operating this incredible gem.
interest in and support of our dental hygiene alumni
I want to take a moment to personally thank association endeavors.
Dr. Braun for founding the School of Dental
In other news, it is an exciting time to be a dental
Medicine Dean’s Scholarship Fund. He became
hygienist in Pennsylvania. In September, the Pennsylvania
the first person to formally welcome me to the Pitt
State Board of Dentistry voted to allow public health
Dental family when he called to inform me that I
dental hygiene practitioners to work in a wider variety
had been selected as a scholarship recipient. To this
of settings. Once fully implemented, this measure will
day, I am grateful for his foresight by starting this
expand access to dental treatment for low-income and
scholarship fund to help relieve some of the debt
underserved populations. Public health dental hygiene
load facing current students and recent alumni.
practitioners currently are permitted to perform screening
I speak on behalf of the Pitt Dental Alumni and prophylaxis in elementary schools, prisons, federally
Association when I say that our school is a much qualified health centers (FQHC) and personal care
better place thanks to the efforts of Dr. Braun and homes. The approved expansion will include daycare
we are forever grateful for his service. Thank you, Dr. centers and pediatrician’s offices among other additional
Braun, and enjoy retirement—you’ve earned it! locations. State regulations require public health dental
hygiene practitioners to complete a minimum of 3,600
Sincerely,
hours of practice as a licensed dental hygienist under
Lisa Babb (DMD’11)
the supervision of a dentist. Many of our alumni have
President, Dental Alumni Association
obtained certification as public health dental hygiene
practitioners, and this vote will allow them to provide care
to a greater number of patients in need of dental care.
To support the Thomas W. Braun Fund, As always, I encourage your involvement in the Pitt Dental
please see page 30. To make a donation, Hygiene Program and the activities of the
please visit giveto.pitt.edu/dental, or alumni association.
call Mr. Paul Casey at 412-383-7544. Susan Ban (DH ’80)
Vice President, Dental Hygiene,
Dental Alumni Association
22 PITT DENTAL MEDICINEWHITE COAT CEREMONY 2017
On August 28, 2017, 80 members of the incoming first professional class of 2021 and 25 members of the
dental hygiene class of 2018 received their white coats during the 2017 White Coat Ceremony. This significant
event welcomes incoming School of Dental Medicine students as they begin their professional career studies.
Ceremony, alumni wrote short notes
to inspire and energize incoming
predoctoral and dental hygiene
students that were found inside of
their white coats.
A light afternoon reception
followed for students, their families,
faculty and staff in the new Salk
Hall Pavilion.
Family members, friends, faculty,
and alumni who were not able to
Dean Thomas Braun welcomed new Dr. Joseph Petrone, Associate attend in person watched a live
students, families, faculty and staff Dean for Residency Education streaming broadcast on our Web
to the event. He then welcomed and immediate past chair of the site. Please visit our web site for
Dr. James Boyle, president-elect of American College of Dentists details and directions to view this
the Pennsylvania Dental Association (ACD), spoke to students about exciting event, or view archived
(PDA). He shared his own personal the prestigious organization. videos from past year’s White
experiences in dental school with Dr. Elizabeth Bilodeau, president Coat Ceremonies.
new students and also introduced of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), Please see page 28 for information
those in attendance to the benefits welcomed the Class of 2020 and about the 2018 White Coat
the PDA can offer them as practicing introduced the requirements and Ceremony.
dental professionals. Dr. Lisa Babb benefits of being invited to be
(DMD ’11), president of the School a member of this national
of Dental Medicine Dental Alumni dental honor society. Vibrant,
Association, talked about the ongoing research at the School
significance and symbolism of the of Dental Medicine was the topic
white coat for the class of 2021. of Dr. Mary Marazita welcome, on
behalf of Dr. Charles Sfeir,
Associate Dean for Research.
Dental Hygiene students were
personally welcomed by Dental
Hygiene Program Director
Ms. Angelina Riccelli. Finally,
Dr. Christine Wankiiri-Hale,
Associate Dean for Student Affairs,
invited each new student to receive
his or her white coat. In addition
to supporting the 2017 White Coat
The White Coat Ceremony receives support in part from the Harry K. Zohn (DMD ’84) and Cecile A. Feldman,
DMD White Coat Endowment Fund as well as contributions from our alumni and friends.
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 23ALUMNI WEEKEND 2017
SCHOOL OF
DENTAL MEDICINE
ALUMNI WEEKEND
Dr. BJ Costello and Dr. Paul Moore (DMD ’73, MDS The School of Dental Medicine held its first
’73, PhD ’77) and Dr. Deborah Studen-Pavlovich
(DMD ’80) (not pictured), presented CE courses
during the First Pitt Dental Alumni weekend
ever Pitt Dental Medicine Alumni Weekend
Above: Golden Alumni celebrating Alumni
Weekend during their campus-wide tour. in September, 2017. The event was very
Pictured are Dr. Bob Tissot (DDS ’60),
Dr. Harold Lenchner (DDS ’60),
Dr. Michael Rosella (DDS ’57),
Ms. Kathleen Rosella, Ms. Joanne Bowser
successful thanks to the hard work and the
and Dr. Ellsworth Bowser (DDS ’60).
Not pictured are Drs. Robert (DDS ’60),
Shirley Smith and Dr. Jim Ferguson (DDS ’60). strong leadership from our alumni.
24 PITT DENTAL MEDICINEThe weekend’s celebrations began with CE Immediately following the CE courses, luncheons
courses for both dentists and dental hygienists. were held for Golden Alumni and the Class of 1967 in
Dr. B.J. Costello, Dr. Deborah Studen-Pavlovich (DMD the University Club, after which they enjoyed a tour
’80), and Dr. Paul Moore (DMD ’73, MDS ’73, PhD ’77) of Pitt Campus and the School of Dental Medicine.
presented individual portions of Updates in Clinical Participants of the tour were able to see how much the
Dentistry, a day-long, three-part, CE course in the school has changed since they attended, and what new
University Club. Upstairs in a second meeting room, technologies are part of the curriculum.
dental hygiene alumnae attended Dental Hygiene
Enhancements, a CE course that presented Individual class dinners Friday evening rounded out the
new techniques in treatment as well as patient first day of events.
wellness education.
Saturday kicked off with a tailgate party on the Great
Lawn next to Heinz Field where Pitt faced Oklahoma
State in an afternoon football game.
September 14 & 15, 2018
PITT DENTAL
ALUMNI WEEKEND
Class Reunions and
Pitt vs. Georgia Tech Football
Class of 1968 Fifty Year Reunion
letters with reunion weekend details
will be mailed in February.
If you would like to organize your class reunion for a class year ending
in 3 or 8, contact Ms. Nancy Poe at 412-648-8910 or poen@pitt.edu.
CLASS OF 1982 CLASS OF 1992
DENTAL.PITT.EDU 25You can also read
