Topics at a glance: New Year, New Deck: One patio closes, but another enlarged, repaired … Dr. Gordon retiring after 30 years at UTDB … Dr. Ortegon now board-certified prosthodontist … ADA names Dr. Pierpont to advisory committee … Houston periodontists elect UTDB faculty, alumnus … Dental Branch researcher quoted in newspaper article … 2008 HOLIDAY MEMORIES: UTDB ends year with festivities … Teddy Bear Checkup draws UTDB volunteers

New Year, New Deck:

One patio closes, but another enlarged, repaired

The patio area on the Dental Branch's northwest corner (along Moursund Street) is being repaired and enlarged. Metal tables from the Olson patio will replace the old concrete tables. Pictured at the bike rack is first-year dental student Josh Knowles.

When bits of granite cladding broke loose from the Dental Branch building last year and landed on the ground, no one was injured, but a series of precautions were set in motion that are about to have a pleasant outcome - an enhanced patio and deck for the school. Executive Associate Dean John A. Valenza, D.D.S., said the picnic area on the northwest side of the Dental Branch property (along Moursund Street) is being refurbished and enlarged to compensate for losing the more secluded Olson Patio, which was named to honor Dean John Victor Olson, D.D.S. (1952-82). The metal tables and benches from that patio will replace the concrete sets on the Moursund patio once it is finished. The UT Health Science Center's Facilities, Planning and Engineering Department is overseeing the project.

"As a result of us essentially losing the Olson deck, we asked (the health science center) to enhance the deck on the northwest corner, and they agreed to do it," Valenza said. "The end result is that we'll have a larger deck, and about 50 percent of it will be brand new. It's not quite as private, but it will give us about the same amount of deck space we had."

Because of the continued risk of falling granite, the Olson deck will remained closed. The protective coverings built in front of all Dental Branch entrances will be staying, too, which is why they were painted recently, he added. "So if you see the tables missing from the deck area, don't be alarmed. That seating's just temporarily gone until they pull the furniture from the Olson deck."

Dr. Gordon retiring after 30 years at UTDB

Second-year dental students Eric Braunlin (left) and Kyle Frazier cut the "Hollenbeck" cake at a recent party honoring Associate Professor Albert Gordon, D.D.S., (right) who will retire later this week after nearly 31 years at UTDB. "Hollenbeck" is the name of his favorite dental instrument.

Associate Professor Albert Gordon, D.D.S., of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials, will retire officially on Friday after nearly 31 years at the UT Dental Branch. Born in 1920, Gordon is a 1946 graduate of Temple University and served as chief of the Department of Dentistry at Kingsborough Psychiatric Center in Brooklyn from 1946-1978. He came to Houston in 1978, in part to be closer to family, and accepted a teaching position at the Dental Branch, where he's been ever since. Another party to celebrate his career and retirement was planned for today in the Cooley Conference Room.

Sergio Ortegon, D.D.S.

Dr. Ortegon now board-certified prosthodontist

Sergio Ortegon, D.D.S., has been named a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics after passing the board examinations in November. An assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at UTDB, he is a 1998 graduate of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia, and earned certificates in Advanced Education in General Dentistry in 2002, Prosthodontics in 2006 and an M.S.D. from the University of Connecticut. He also completed a fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 2007.

H. Philip Pierpont, D.D.S.

ADA names Dr. Pierpont to advisory committee

Associate Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs H. Philip Pierpont, D.D.S., has been selected as a new member of the American Dental Association's Committee F, which is involved in educational testing and measurement. Specifically, the committee oversees the construction, administration and analysis of the Dental Admission Test.

Lillian Carmina Lyons, D.D.S.

Houston periodontists
elect UTDB faculty, alumnus

Board-certified periodontist Lillian Carmina Lyons, D.D.S., clinical assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics, has been elected to serve as vice president/secretary of the Greater Houston Society of Periodontists, but she won't be the only officer with a UT Dental Branch affiliation. The incoming president is Chu Kim, D.D.S. ('98) and the past president is Todd Scheyer, D.D.S., who volunteers as faculty in the Periodontics Department.

Dental Branch researcher quoted in newspaper article

Professor Charles Streckfus, D.D.S., was quoted this week in a Cleveland Plain Dealer article about fighting cancer. To see the article, visit the Cleveland Plain Dealer Web site.

2008 HOLIDAY MEMORIES:

UTDB ends year with festivities

The first-floor lobby was the setting for the party. Photo by Brian Schnupp

The 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" was the theme of the 2008 Holiday Party at the UT Dental Branch on Dec. 19. Meats, soft drinks and desserts were provided, and employees brought a wide array of side dishes. The Dental Branch Employee Relations Committee organized and sponsored the annual event. Employees also received commemorative ornaments featuring this year's theme, "Chairside Greetings." MORE PHOTOS.

Teddy Bear Checkup draws UTDB volunteers

The UTDB Pediatric Dentistry Department turned out for the Teddy Bear Check Up, and welcomed friends and family members as well.

Even on a Saturday in the busy holiday season, the UTDB Pediatric Dentistry Department made time to participate in the Teddy Bear Check Up Dec. 20 at The Health Museum. Children were encouraged to bring their teddy bears or dolls to learn about all kinds of health matters, from exercise and nutrition to getting a blood pressure taken, to proper flossing and brushing. Several UTDB volunteers had their own children along at this family-oriented event.