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Bring your lunch and join Dean Catherine Flaitz
for a Dental Branch Town Hall Meeting, noon, Thursday,
Oct. 26, in DB Room 207. The latest issues and activities
concerning the Dental Branch will be discussed. All faculty
and staff are encouraged to attend.
James T. Willerson, M. D., president of the
UT Health Science Center at Houston, will host an update
at 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, in DB Room
207, to brief faculty and staff on a variety of current activities
and issues of importance to the university. Light refreshments
will be served. Questions? Contact: Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu.
Greer takes a break
out on the back deck of the Dental Branch |
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John Greer has joined
the Dental Branch as the new director of Development,
effective Oct. 16.
As part of the Office of the Dean,
Greer will direct the fundraising efforts at
the Dental Branch, with a special focus on the
$65 million campaign that will fund a new facility
and increase the level of faculty endowments,
research funding and student scholarships available.
“The search committee was
pleased that John brought a broad range of experience
to the table, including a background in sports
broadcasting and athletic marketing and fundraising
at Rice University,” said Catherine M. Flaitz,
D.D.S. “John’s most recent position,
as director of major gifts at St. Joseph Hospital
Foundation, demonstrates his desire to use his
talent for the advancement of healthcare. We are
pleased that he will continue to do just that for
the UT Dental Branch.” |
Prior his position at St. Joseph, Greer held
positions at the Leukemia Society and Rice
University.
“The opportunity to serve
at such an accomplished institution within the
University of Texas system was hard to pass up,” Greer
said. “This was my opportunity to serve on
a winning team with a people-driven mission, a
clear vision and attainable goals. I look forward
to enhancing the fundraising arm at the Dental
Branch and seeing through the construction of our
new school.”
Greer and his wife, Shari, have two
children, Shannon and Joey. In his spare time,
Greer enjoys sports events and outdoor activities.
Contact: John.T.Greer@uth.tmc.edu,
Office B28 A. Phone: 713-500-4380.
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Gillian
Rittman, a research scientist in the department
of Diagnostic Sciences, is the first winner of
the Dental Branch Star Performer Award - yet
another highlight to Rittman’s 16-year
history at the Dental Branch.
Rittman’s
work as a research scientist involves working
with both tissue samples from Diagnostic Sciences
biopsy service and research materials. When
tissue samples arrive at the Dental Branch
from across the world to be diagnosed, Rittman
helps students and faculty to prepare the slides
that enable diagnosis of many different diseases.
In another
capacity with the university, Rittman is also instrumental
in community service activities such as the Food
Drive, State Employee Charitable Campaign, the
walk-a-thons and so much more.
The Department
of Diagnostic Sciences, chaired by Jerry Bouquot,
D.D.S., nominated Rittman for the award. |
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Rittman in the research
labs on the third floor of the Dental Branch
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“I
love my job,” Rittman
said. “Mostly because of the people that
I work with. Everyday is different. I enjoy meeting
new students, researchers and most importantly,
I enjoy knowing that I am helping patients.”
Rittman
said the award surprised her. "It was very
touching to know my coworkers had nominated me,
I am honored to work with such a wonderful group
of people. There are so many people in the Dental
Branch who deserve this award and I am honored
to have been chosen.
In her spare time she enjoys cooking,
reading and bird watching.
She and her husband, Barry Rittman,
Ph.D., senior lecturer in pathology and laboratory
medicine, have been married for 38 years. The London
natives moved to the United States in 1968 and
have lived in Texas for 16 years. They have two
children, John and Allison. John and daughter-in-law,
Kim, have a two and half year old daughter, Olivia.
If you know of anyone in your department
or area who would make a good DB People profile,
send an e-mail to dbnewsdesk@uth.tmc.edu. |
By now a smiling face has petitioned you for
a contribution to the State Employee Charitable Campaign.
From now until Friday, Oct. 27,
contributions to this campaign for humanity are being accepted.
There are several ways to give, including pay roll deduction.
And the benefiting charity is your choice as well.
For as little as $2 a pay period you can provide
two days of food and shelter for a homeless person, underwrite
two days of mentoring for an at-risk youth or provide meals
for a homebound senior citizen for four weeks.
If you have not received your pledge form,
contact: Gillian.Rittman@uth.tmc.edu,
713-500-4359.
Dean Catherine
Flaitz, D.D.S., was one of the eight oral health experts
to participate in an all day panel discussion on “The dentist’s role in oral and
systemic health care,” during the American Dental
Association annual meeting in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Flaitz’ presentation “Oral Mucosal
Lesions and Their Relationships to Systemic Conditions,” was
presented to a crowd of 200 dentists.
The discussion
allowed for interactive participation from the audience
about oral health’s role in general
health and the growing evidence that periodontal disease
is related to major chronic diseases such as heart disease,
stroke and diabetes, low birth weight and respiratory illness.
The Hispanic Student
Dental Association at “Screen and Be
Seen” |
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The
Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) coordinated
with Baylor College of Medicine to organize the
dental effort at "Screen and
Be Seen" community health day Oct. 14, at
the Lyons Clinic. HSDA members and volunteers placed
more than 80 sealants, 40 fluoride varnish treatments,
and screened close to 200 people. Other services
at the health fair included blood glucose screening,
blood pressure screening and HIV testing.
Special thanks to HSDA members, volunteers,
and Dental Branch faculty members who supported
the project. The materials donated from Ultradent
and clinical services are also appreciated. |
The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular
Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases hosts a day-long
public symposium, 9:30a.m.-4p.m., Thursday, Nov.
2, in the Beth Robertson Auditorium, Sarofim Research
Building.
Admittance is continual,
and guests may attend all or part of the symposium. Boxed
lunches will be provided. Limited pay parking is available
in the University Center Tower garage. The building also
is accessible via METRORail or “Blue” Metro
shuttle.
The keynote presentations:
10:05 a.m. The Seventh Hans J.
Müller-Eberhard Memorial Lecture - The Two-Edged
Sword of Innate Immunity and Immunopathology: A Legacy
of Hans J. Müller-Eberhard, Harvey R. Colten,
M.D., professor of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical
Center 12:50 p.m. The development
of a vaccine against cervical cancer - Alan R. Shaw,
Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, VaxInnate
Corporation.
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