Coordinators of the Lebanon Relief Effort, Drs. Yusuf Shere, Kamal Busaidy and Barry Rittman, thank the Dental Branch family for the support shown toward the children, women and men who are victims of the war in Lebanon.

Over the past two weeks diapers, clothes, toys, food and medical supplies were given generously by those who study and work at the Dental Branch.

These items will be taken to a drop-off location in Houston and from there will be delivered to Lebanon by the United Nations. If you wish to make any other donations contact one of the coordinators. Thank you again for giving to help a community in severe crisis.

John Valenza, D.D.S., executive associate dean at the Dental Branch, has just been named a finalist for the 2006 Innovation in Health Science Education Award by the Awards Committee of the UT Academy of Health Science Education. The nomination recognizes his efforts and leadership in the establishment of the Clinical Simulation and Learning Center.

Valenza will make a presentation at the UT Academy of Health Science Education Innovations in Health Science Education Annual Conference Oct. 5 and 6 in Austin. A winner will be named following the event.

“To be a nominee and finalist is a great honor, but for me it is more of a reflection of the spirit and hard work of many others at the Dental Branch who helped bring simulation from concept to reality.”

Valenza was nominated by Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the Dental Branch. Congratulations Dr. Valenza for your efforts to place The Dental Branch in the forefront of technology and innovation.

DB People is a new UTDBeflash feature, which will highlight a student, resident, employee or member of the faculty each week.

Janie Fitzgerald speaks softly, but carries a lot of responsibility. If you’ve never been ill or injured while at work or school, you may not know her. But if you ever are, you would be happy to make her acquaintance.

For the last 17 years Fitzgerald has practiced nursing at the Dental Branch and today she staffs Surgical and Anesthesia Services, where she is primarily responsible for the overall care of patients while they undergo oral surgery. Fitzgerald also assists with I.V. sedation prior to a surgery and monitors the recovery afterward.

She is one of two nurses at the Dental Branch, along with Mary Ann Adkisson, director of Clinical Services. Together, they also operate in the traditional “school nurse” role, by responding to emergencies or taking

care of ill employees and students. “We may have students who have passed out from seeing their first extractions and we nurse them back to health as well,” she says laughing.

“Along with the patients, students and residents are who I enjoy the most. For me the Dental Branch is a good place to work because I enjoy being in an educational environment.”

Fitzgerald received her R.N. and B.S.N. from Texas Woman’s University. Since receiving her degree over 30 years ago she has worked as a nurse mostly in emergency rooms and clinics.

Outside of work Fitzgerald enjoys weaving, spinning yarn, crocheting and bead work. She also enjoys the company of her three cats Bizzy, Kimi and Emma.

Fitzgerald is located in DB, 2.060 and can be reached at Janie.L.Fitzgerald@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-4062.

If you know anyone in your department or class who would make a good DB People profile, send the name to dbnewsdesk@uth.tmc.edu

Staci Garner, who staffed the front desk of the dean’s suite for more than four years, has accepted a new position as executive assistant to Fouad Salama, B.D.S., chair of the department of Pediatric Dentistry.

The Dean’s Office staff celebrated Garner’s new position and thanked her for her service with a small celebration on Thursday, Sept. 21. 

“Every position and opportunity in life is a learning experience. I learned so much the four and a half years I served in the dean’s office,” Garner said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to progress and grow in Pediatric Dentistry and I am pleased to still be a part of the Dental Branch family.”

Garner is now located in DB 352. She can be reached at Staci.L.Garner@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-4176

Pictured from left to right: Maria Martinez, dental assistant I; Neelufar Shirvani, dental student; Pat Henshaw, dental assistant III; Bryan Kelley (ETHAN), Melanie Fowler (ETHAN), Gabriel Shahwan, dental student. Tracey Godwin, D.D.S., assistant professor of Community Dentistry, was also a part of the team.  

As part of a new contract with ETHAN (East Texas Health Access Network) the mobile dental van continues its travels into East Texas to care for the underserved. Sept. 20-22 the van was in the small community of Newton, Texas where they saw 33 patients and completed 160 procedures, including 69 extractions. The team will continue to serve in this area two days each month.