From: Durham, Erika
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 9:09 AM
Subject: UTDB eflash Thanksgiving issue: Expressions from Dean Flaitz - Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Dear Dental Branch family,

As a child, Thanksgiving in the Flaitz household was, naturally, a time to reflect on what we were thankful for. It usually started with an early morning worship service and ended with the entire family gathered around a small black and white TV to watch an old holiday movie. Of course, the highlight was the magnificent dinner that would go on for hours. Our home was the gathering place for people of all ages and there was always room for one more at the table. This was, and still is, my favorite holiday because as an optimist, I could always recount the many positive things that had happened during the year. And tomorrow will be no exception.

However, a year of deanship at the UT Dental Branch and a lifetime later, have taught me to look at my “thankful for” list in a slightly different light. Instead of focusing on the highlights that have happened to me or to the Dental Branch this past year, I would much rather give thanks for the numerous opportunities we have had to help others.

After all, the traditional way of giving thanks would generate an obvious and long list for the Dental Branch — 13 successful Centennial events, an unprecedented accreditation, outstanding state and national awards for our faculty, some of the highest scores on the national board exams from our students … the list could go on and on.

And although we are definitely thankful for these accomplishments, I truly feel that the spirit of this season is to take the focus away from oneself and place it on others, which is easy for the Dental Branch to do.

Think about the countless hours you spent, directly or indirectly, helping victims of Hurricane Katrina, when just months before you provided treatment to 500 of Houston’s needy through Centennial Smiles II.

How about your contribution to the more than $23,000 raised for the American Heart Association during the HeartWalk and the $74,000 raised for student scholarships through this year’s golf tournament? And those events don’t even begin to account for the many other drives, fairs, bake sales and raffles you conducted for the benefit of your fellow man. We have truly helped others this year and I am so proud.

So you don’t have to wonder what I will be doing tomorrow. I will be giving thanks for all of the beautiful opportunities that the Dental Branch has had to help those in need. I will also give thanks for the wonderful group of individuals I have the chance to work with everyday — each of you. Have a joyous and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

Always thankful,

Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S.
Dean

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