As part of the American Medical Student Association’s
Achieving Diversity in Dentistry and Medicine Leadership Training Program,
Jocelyn Elders, M.D., former Surgeon General of the United States, delivered
the keynote address.
Nationally renowned clinical researcher John
O. Burgess, D.D.S. M.S., Louisiana State University School of Dentistry,
gave a Restorative Dentistry Update Friday, July 15.
In honor of its 100-year anniversary, the Dental
Branch at Houston was recognized by the Texas Legislature with the passing
of two independent resolutions.
Judith Buchanan, D.M.D.,
Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, presents
“Preparing Dental Providers for the 21st Century: Focus on Improving
Learning,” during the Centennial Speakers Series.
It was legislative, yet leisurely. Political, yet personal. And although monumental, it was the small moments that made the day a big success.
In the House Chamber are: front, L-R, State Representative Martha Wong and Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the Dental Branch; back, L-R, Jerry Long, D.D.S., president of the UTDB Alumni Association; Sylvester Gonzales, fourth-year dental student; Gretchen Price, president of the Class of 2005; James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the UT Health Science Center at Houston and Tom Craddick, Speaker of the Texas House.
The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston’s Legislative Resolution Day, March 23 at the state capitol, was celebrated in honor of the Dental Branch Centennial. The Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate passed two independent resolutions to honor the first dental school established in the state and no one wanted to miss it.
Dental Branch faculty, staff, students and alumni from across Texas turned out to support the event. Supporters of the school gathered in the Senate Conference room early that morning where state legislators, including Representatives Jerry Madden and Al Edwards, along with Senator Jon Lindsay, stopped by to offer congratulations.
Dental Branch Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., and James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, accepted the resolutions on the school’s behalf, accompanied by Jerry Long, D.D.S., president of the UTDB Alumni Association and
fourth year dental students Gretchen Price, president of the senior class and Sylvester Gonzales, winner of the Orgullo award, a national honor for student chapter projects that serve the community’s dental needs.
In addition to Price and Gonzales, all the students who attended the event showed much appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of such a historical day. “We are honored to be able to participate in an occasion such as this, while also being a part of the Centennial class,” Price said.
Amy Ludemann, a fourth-year dental student, seconded Price and added that she and all the students present were grateful to be included in the experience.
Dean Flaitz expresses her appreciation for those who attended the event during a luncheon at Bauer House in Austin, the home of UT System Chancellor Mark Yudof.
Representatives Martha Wong, Beverly Woolley and Peggy Hamric, of Houston sponsored the House resolution. “Thank you UT Dental Branch for training the students that become our dentists,” Wong said from the floor.
Senator Kyle Janek of Houston introduced the resolution in the Senate, praising the UT Dental Branch at Houston and congratulating it on the Centennial Anniversary. Senator Janek's resolution was seconded by Senators Rodney Ellis of Houston and Judith Zaffirini of Laredo. Senator Eddie Lucio of Brownsville also seconded the resolution candidly acknowledging his support stemmed from Dr. Willerson saving his life.
Dental Branch faculty, staff and students wait anxiously in the gallery of the Texas House of Representatives before the resolution is read.
Following the resolution readings, Wong, joined the group for lunch at Bauer House, the home of UT System Chancellor Mark Yudof. There James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the health science center, described Wong as a “champion” for the new Dental Branch building, which the health science center seeks to partially fund with tuition revenue bonds.
“The Legislature has developed trust in what is going on at the health science center,” Willerson said. “We deeply appreciate all of their support.”
Flaitz expressed her sincere gratitude to all the friends of the DB family, in Austin that day and at home, who supported and celebrated the Dental Branch’s once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“At a moment’s notice many of our alumni, faculty, students and staff, changed their schedules and drove from all across the State of Texas to be part of this memorable occasion. It is this type of enthusiastic commitment to the Dental Branch and its future that will help us secure the necessary funds for a new dental school building,” Flaitz said.
Below are friends of the Dental Branch who were recognized by name from the gallery of the Texas House of Representatives. A special thank you to everyone who has extended support during this Centennial.
Faculty Leaders
Dr. John A. Valenza Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor, The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston
Dr. H. Philip Pierpont Associate Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs, The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston
Alumni
Dr. Herbert L. Wade, Jr. , Bryan- College Station, TX President, Texas Dental Association Leads the Texas Dental Association during 79th Legislature
Dr. Zeb Poindexter, Jr., Houston, TX First African American dental school graduate in 1956; past President of Gulf State Dental Association
Dr. John D. Chandler, Huntsville, TX Immediate past President of the Academy of General Dentistry
Dr. Noel Garza, Mission, TX President of the Rio Grande Valley District Dental Society for the Texas Dental Association
Dr. Charles Kolb, Taft, TX Past Vice Chairman of the Council on Education and Licensure for the American Dental Association; past Director and past Vice President of the Texas Dental Association
Students
Student Doctor Linh Luu, UT Dental Branch Class of 2005
Student Doctor Darryl Baucum, UT Dental Branch Class of 2007
Student Doctor Brett Chiquet, 1 st year UT Dental Branch student in our new DDS, PhD program
Additional events for alumni and others are scheduled
throughout the year. Watch the Centennial Web site
for details.
