Topics at a glance: Regent Longoria visits Dental Branch, tours UTHSC-H campus … Seeking answers from stem cells: Endodontists association supports research at UTDB … TMC Volunteers of the Year: Ellis chosen for Dental Branch … SAVE THE DATE: Hinds Symposium set for May 1-2 in Houston … Chronicle quotes DB folks … Henson elected at ADEA’s 86th Annual Session… UCSC Scholarship deadline extended

Regent Longoria visits Dental Branch, tours UTHSC-H campus

UT System Regent Janiece Longoria, J.D. (center) with Dean Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S., and UT Health Science Center at Houston President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D., in the Dental Branch Lobby. Photo by Rhonda Moran.

University of Texas System Regent Janiece Longoria, J.D., of Houston had a chance to see the 54-year-old Dental Branch building first-hand during a visit here March 20. She was accompanied by UT Health Science Center at Houston President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D., and Susan Coulter, J.D., vice president, Institutional Advancement. Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., and Executive Associate Dean John A. Valenza, D.D.S., led the visitors on a brief tour of the Dental Branch, ending with a look at drawings of the new building. Longoria was appointed to the UT System Board of Regents by Gov. Rick Perry in 2008. She serves on the Audit, Compliance and Management Review Committee; the Facilities Planning and Construction Committee; and the Finance and Planning Committee. In addition, she is a regental representative on The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) and the regental representative on the Texas Growth Fund Board of Trustees. Longoria is a partner in the firm of Ogden, Gibson, Broocks & Longoria, L.L.P., where she practices law in the area of commercial litigation with a concentration of experience in securities litigation and securities arbitration.

Shiwei Cai, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Seeking answers from stem cells:
Endodontists association supports research at UTDB

Dental Branch researcher Shiwei Cai, D.D.S., Ph.D., has been awarded a $24,000 grant from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) to learn more about the origins, characteristics and fate of human adult dental pulp stem cells. Cai, an assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics, is investigating the possibility that these particular stem cells originate in the bone marrow. Eventually, this research could help answer important questions: Can stem cells regrow a patient’s dental pulp? And if so, can the body heal its own dental cavities? So far, adult stem cell research points to the possibility of tantalizing new treatments. FULL STORY.

TMC Volunteers of the Year: Ellis chosen for Dental Branch

By Rhonda Moran, UT Dental Branch

Mamie Ellis

Mamie Ellis, executive assistant in the Department of Endodontics, has been chosen as a Texas Medical Center Volunteer of the Year. A Dental Branch employee since 1983, Ellis has served on the UTDB Employee Relations Committee since 1986 and frequently volunteers for Give Kids a Smile Day, when the school teams up with community groups to provide a free day of dental care for uninsured children. She is also a regular volunteer for UT Health Science Center at Houston events, including Funfest, the Star Awards and the Wellness Fair.

Having lost four members of her family to cardiovascular disease, Ellis is especially devoted to the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk. She has served as a team captain every year since 2001 and regularly finishes as one of the health science center’s top three Heart Walk fundraisers. She is active in her church, where she volunteers as a greeter. This year, the Mississippi native plans to add the March of Dimes Walk to her activities in support of a request from UTHSC-H President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D.

She grew up in a family of 13 children, and Ellis said she has no trouble saying no. Rather, she volunteers so much because it brings her joy and because new experiences enrich her life. “The more I volunteer, the more I learn,” she said. “For example, I had never been to a wellness fair until I volunteered to work in one.”

SAVE THE DATE:
Hinds Symposium set for May 1-2 in Houston

The University of Texas Dental Branch Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Houston Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are hosting the 19th Annual Edward C. Hinds Symposium on May 1-2 at the Houstonian Hotel. This meeting is one of the largest regional OMS meetings in the country. This year’s topic is “A Simplified Approach to Standard Lesions, New Entities and the Science Behind Bone Grafting.” The program will feature prominent oral and maxillofacial surgeon Robert E. Marx, D.D.S. The Raymond Reid Lecturer will be Anthony Atala, M.D., renowned urologist and director of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Those interested in attending should contact Teresa Granhold at 713-500-4311 or Teresa.R.Granhold@uth.tmc.edu.

Houston Chronicle quotes DB folks

Pediatric Graduate Program Director Steven Hackmyer, D.D.S., and third-year dental student Brenden Taylor were quoted in a Houston Chronicle story about a state program that would pay student loans for those who agree to accept Medicaid patients. CLICK HERE to read the story.

Harold Henson, R.D.H.

Henson elected at ADEA’s 86th Annual Session

Harold Henson, R.D.H., associate professor in the Department of Periodontics, has been elected secretary for the Section of Dental Hygiene Education at the 86th Annual Session of the American Dental Education Association in Phoenix, AZ. It is a three-year commitment in which he will assume the position of chair of the section in 2012. “It was an honor and privilege to be elected by my peers,” he said. “I look forward to this wonderful opportunity to serve this association.”

UCSC Scholarship deadline extended

Is your son or daughter graduating from high school this year? If so, and if you’re a classified employee of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, your child can apply for a University Classified Staff Committee Scholarship. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, March 27. All UCSC scholarship recipient(s) will be chosen from the applications submitted. See the UCSC Scholarship Web site for requirements and more information. Send the completed application form to:

Sandra Hernandez
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
7000 Fannin St.
UCT 902 Houston, TX 77030

For more information, contact Trish McFarland, the UCSC representative for the Dental Branch. Reach her at Ext. 4105 or Patricia.McFarland@uth.tmc.edu.