From: Durham, Erika
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 11:39 AM
Subject: UTDB eflash (weekly edition) -- Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Robert Wood Johnson Grant awarded to the DB

The UT Dental Branch has been named a recipient of the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, worth $1.2 million over the next four years. The Dental Branch and its joint applicant, the UT Medical School, partnered with the San Jacinto College during the application process, which was cited as a strong point.

Many thanks go to principal Investigator Paula O'Neill, Ed.D., associate dean for Educational Research and Professional Development, along with co-investigators Phil Pierpont, D.D.S., associate dean for Student and Alumni Affairs at the Dental Branch and Andrew Harper, M.D., assistant dean for Educational Programs at the Medical School, who propose to implement the Health Education Academic Training (H.E.A.T.) Initiative.

The Dental Branch will reach out to the target population for HEAT by drawing upon prior experience in programs directed toward those from minority, socio-economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as underrepresented populations. Recruitment efforts will target seven Historically Minority Serving Institutions under current partnership; a large community college system; and local, regional and statewide colleges and universities.

Ann Tate, professor at San Jacinto College, will be the curriculum coordinator for the core content.

A-dec nominated for Outstanding Corporate Partner award

A-dec, a dental equipment company that has partnered with the Dental Branch for 20 years, was honored for its outstanding support with a nomination for the UT Health Science Center’s Outstanding Corporate Partner award, Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Over the years A-dec has provided the school with state-of-the-art dental equipment and service, often going above and beyond. An example cited by nominators of the award occurred this past summer when new clinical equipment was purchased and installed at the school. A-dec arranged for the old equipment to be shipped and installed in clinics that care for the underserved in Uganda and Romania—at their cost.

This year A-dec is the Platinum Sponsor of the 13th Annual UT Health Science Center Scholarship Golf Classic. Other outreach activities of the school, such as the mobile dental van and the hospital dentistry clinic, have also been supported by A-dec. In addition, A-dec has provided consulting services for clinic design and equipment at no cost.

Research news

Stay informed on the progress Dental Branch researchers are making in the September issue of the UTDB research newsletter at http://www.db.uth.tmc.edu/research/newsletter/newsletter.htm.

Appreciation for Katrina relief

Dean Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S., expresses a tremendous amount of thanks to everyone at the Dental Branch who contributed to the relief efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina. Special thanks goes to the faculty, staff and students who played an active role in the operation of the mobile dental van at the George R. Brown Convention Center and the urgent care clinic at the Dental Branch.

Hurricane Rita

The UT Dental Branch did not suffer any damage or flooding due to Hurricane Rita this past weekend. Dental Branch administrators appreciate the compliance and cooperation of all faculty, staff and students during efforts to secure the building and close the institution on Wednesday.

UTDB eflash is an electronic newsletter produced by The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Submit items for consideration to Erika.Durham@uth.tmc.edu by Tuesdays at noon. Items may be edited for length and style.