The team: (Seated from left to right) Jerry
Bouquot, D.D.S., lab director, and Nadarajah Vigneswaran,
D.D.S. (Standing from left to right) Gillian Rittman,
Ronda Lowe, Kathy Thomas, Cecilia Garza, Eula Henderson,
Candy Bales, Nancy Bass and Brenda Bethea. Not pictured:
Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., lab co-director.
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For the second
consecutive time, the Surgical Pathology laboratory
passed the Clinical Laboratory Implementation Act
(CLIA) inspection without a single deficiency.
Every two years diagnostic labs must undergo this
rigorous federal inspection, which is performed by
the Texas Department of State Health Services, Health
Facility Compliance Division. This quality control
inspection reviews all aspects of the lab and its
personnel to assure compliance with federally mandated
guidelines.
The laboratory is part of the department of Diagnostic
Sciences, under department chair Jerry Bouquot, D.D.S.,
who also directs the lab.
Candy Bales, chief histologist, credits the team
work ethic within the department for its success.
Members of the team are: Jerry Bouquot, D.D.S., director;
Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S., co-director; Nadarajah Vigneswaran, |
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D.D.S.; Candy Bales, Ronda Lowe, Gillian Ritttman, Cecilia
Garza, Nancy Bass, Brenda Bethea, Eula Henderson and
Kathy Thomas. |
Charles Streckfus, D.D.S., professor of Diagnostic Sciences
and international expert in salivary proteomics, has been
invited to be a member on the prestigious Engine of Innovation
committee of the UT Health Science Center at Houston .
This new committee is a function of the UT Center for Clinical
and Translational Sciences which, as you may recall, was awarded
one of the first 12 Clinical and Translational Sciences Awards
from the NIH.
The UT Center's objectives are: 1) to more quickly move basic
science discoveries into the clinical arena and; 2) to train
future researchers in this exciting new facet of medical research.
The Engine of Innovation committee will be a major guiding
force for the center and has among its membership some of
the most well known and productive persons on the TMC campus.
We congratulate Dr. Streckfus on this honor.
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Muhammad Walji,
Ph.D., assistant professor of Diagnostic Sciences, has
been recruited by the UT Dental Branch to bridge the
gap between endodontics and electronics, prosthodontics
and programs, and all things dental with all things
digital.
Walji is the Dental Branch's new informatician.
He is a recent graduate of The University of Texas School
of Health Information Sciences, where he earned a master's
degree and Ph.D. in Health Informatics.
"I always planned to go into private industry, but
while in school I became very interested in research
and answering a lot of the unanswered questions related
to health informatics," he said. "With the proper
information, clinicians and patients can make better
decisions. This is what health informatics is all about.
However, there is still a lot
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of
work to do."
The Dental Branch has recently implemented the Electronic
Patient Record System, which provides a world of opportunity
for clinicians and students. Walji said he is anxious
to work with those who have led the project to determine
how he may become a part.
"This is a great position for me because it allows
me the opportunity to bring my experience in informatics
into a school with a vision that realizes how much information
science and technology can improve health care delivery."
In his free time, Walji enjoys spending time with his
1-year-old daughter, Naadya and wife, Aliya.
Walji is located in 3.094 and can be reached at 713-500-4420.
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For
Will Eunku Chung, D.D.S., clinical assistant professor
of Prosthodontics, his work is all about improving lives.
Starting Jan.1 Chung was given the opportunity to improve
lives as part of the UT Dental Branch faculty.
As a graduate of Seoul National University Dental School
in South Korea, known as the most prestigious school
in the country, Chung said he can appreciate being part
of a leading academic institution.
Chung arrived in Houston from Seattle , where he completed
his master of science in dentistry degree and certificate
in prosthodontics at the University of Washington
. It was in Seattle that he began to fall in love with
what prosthodontics could do to change patients' lives.
"I have completed five complete reconstructions on
patients and each one of those individuals told me I
have changed their lives. It is an extremely rewarding
profession," he said. "Prosthodontics often provides
people with a certain quality of life. That is my job,
to improve the quality of life."
Chung is teaching four days a week and practicing in
UT Dentists one day |
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each week, so according to him, he gets the best of both
worlds. "Educating those that follow behind me is extremely
important," he said. "However, continuing the practice
helps me keep my skills sharp. It also gives me the best
material to teach my students."
Outside of work, Chung enjoys playing golf. He and his
wife, Sooyung Kim, have a 17-month-old son, James Wooje.
Chung is located in Dental Branch 422 and can be reached
at 713-500-4136. |
Searching for a way to make a difference?
Join the Hispanic Student Dental Association, 8 a.m.-3
p.m., Saturday, Feb.10 , at the George R. Brown Convention
Center as it hosts The Houston Hispanic Forum's 13th annual
Career and Education Day.
The Career and Education Day is for all students in grades
6-12, along with their parents. Here they can obtain facts
about student loans and grants, career choices, college selection
and college applications.
The event draws about 17,000 people every year, so don't
miss out on an opportunity to help. All you have to do is
show up to have an impact!
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The
UT Dental Branch family rolled up their sleeves for
a good cause on Monday, Feb. 5, during a replenishment
blood drive for third-year dental student Jill Rosellini,
who underwent open heart surgery late last week.
According to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center ,
there were 33 donations, of which 31 were whole blood
and two were red cell plasma, resulting in saving and
sustaining the lives of 99 people.
Ryan Loveless(left), a third-year
dental student and one of Jill Rosellini's classmates
gives a big thumbs up to everyone who volunteered to
participate in the blood drive on Monday. Loveless said
his friendship with Rosellini made the decision to give
an easy one.
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The senior awards banquet will be Wednesday, April
25, at the Hornberger Conference Center . Please save the
date. More details to come.
The funeral services for Martin F. Johnson,
brother of C.D. Johnson, D.D.S., associate professor of Restorative
Dentistry, will be 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9 ,
at St. Francis Catholic Church, 4600 Reed Road . Dr. Johnson
appreciates everyone's care and concern.
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