Topics at a glance: Flaitz to step down as dean of UT Dental Branch ...2009 President’s Award for Mentoring Women … Salivary diagnostics research at UTDB ....NEW EMPLOYEE: Traci Hayes to work on EPR helpdesk, Web team … Dr. Ortegon’s work on cover of ‘Journal of ProstheticDentistry’ … Radio station finds expert on tooth fairy compensation …

Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S

Dr. Flaitz to step down as dean of UT Dental Branch

Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., has announced plans to step down as dean of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston after the May 22 graduation ceremony to pursue her passion for academic oral pathology and pediatric dentistry, and to participate fully in the teaching, research and service missions of the school. She currently holds the William N. Finnegan III Professorship in the Dental Sciences. In announcing her decision to Dental Branch faculty, staff and students, Flaitz thanked them for their support and contributions. “Together, we have accomplished much over these past years and have built on our strengths of educating and training some of the finest dentists and dental hygienists to care for the citizens of Texas,” she said. FULL STORY

2009 President’s Award for Mentoring Women
Dr. Bebermeyer honored for helping others

Dr. Rick Bebermeyer (center left) receives the 2009 President’s Award for Mentoring Women from UT Health Science Center President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D.  Pictured from left are Llonda Collins, member of the Committee on the Status of Women; Dr. Sudarat Kiat-amnuay, who gave the nomination speech; Bebermeyer, Kaiser, and Dr. Hariyadarshi Pannu, chair of the Committee on the Status of Women. Photo by John Everett.

When her turn came, Associate Professor Sudarat Kiat-amnuay, D.D.S., stepped up to the microphone at the annual reception for the Committee on the Status of Women and described the man she and five others at the UT Dental Branch nominated for a 2009 President’s Award for Mentoring Women. She spoke of his “persistently positive attitude” and a leadership style based on encouraging, listening to, and respecting his colleagues. “He is honest, open and direct … and clearly understands what it means to support female faculty,” she said. And then she announced his name: “My trusted friend, mentor and colleague, Rick Bebermeyer.” FULL STORY.

Salivary diagnostics research at UTDB
American Cancer Society, M.D. Anderson representatives meet here

Dental Branch researcher Charles Streckfus, D.D.S. (center), describes his research findings to (from left) Dr. Therese Bevers of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, research assistant Cynthia Edwards and Otis Brawley, M .D., chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. The group met March 26 at the Dental Branch.  Photo by Rhonda Moran.

Salivary diagnostics researchers at the UT Dental Branch met March 26 with Otis Brawley, M.D., chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, and Dr. Therese Bevers, medical director for clinical cancer prevention and prevention outreach programs at the UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dental Branch researcher Charles Streckfus, D.D.S., presented results of a study that found protein markers in saliva can indicate the presence of breast cancer, and he also described how the technique might be applied to detect cancers of the uterus, cervix and ovaries. Others attending the meeting included Dean Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S.; Karen Storthz, Ph.D., associate dean for research; Stephen Schwartz, D.D.S.; Jennifer Walker, director of communications for the ACS Gulf Coast Region; research assistants Cynthia Edwards and Tara Luther; and UTDB Development Director John Greer.

Traci Hayes

NEW EMPLOYEE:

Traci Hayes to work on EPR helpdesk, Web team

Traci Hayes has joined the Dental Branch staff as a systems and application analyst in the Department of Educational Technology Services. She will work on the EPR helpdesk in addition to preparing Crystal database reports and assisting with Web design and updates. Hayes has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Houston and has experience in health care database management and computer programming. A native of Galveston, she grew up in the Clear Lake area and currently lives in Seabrook with her husband and 5-year-old son. At the Dental Branch, Hayes will share an office in Room 239 with Debi Biner and Lucas Fatoye. Her office hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. She can be reached at Ext. 4534 or Traci.Hayes@uth.tmc.edu.

Sergio Ortegon, D.D.S.

Dr. Ortegon’s work on cover of ‘Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry'

Sergio Ortegon D.D.S., is lead author of an article featured on the cover of the April edition of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. The story is titled, “Retention Forces of spherical attachments as a function of implant and matrix angulation in mandibular overdentures: An in vitro study.” Ortegon is an assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics. He collaborated with Commander Geoffrey A. Thompson, D.D.S., U.S. Army Dental and Trauma Research Detachment; and with three faculty members at the University of Connecticut Health Science Center: John R. Agar, D.D.S.; Thomas D. Taylor, D.D.S., and Dimitri Perdikis, D.D.S.

Radio station finds expert on tooth fairy compensation

Radio station KTRH interviewed Steven Hackmyer, D.D.S., graduate program director in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, about the recession’s effect (or lack thereof) on the tooth fairy tradition. The story is posted on the station’s Web site at http://www.ktrh.com/cc- common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=121300&article=5222767

SAVE THE DATE: March for Babies April 26 with Team UT

The UT Health Science Center is supporting the March of Dimes “March for Babies” at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 26 at the University of Houston Robertson Stadium. Team UT has joined with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital to be a co-sponsor of the walk this year. Team UT walkers will be served a light breakfast and then a barbecue lunch after the walk. Visit Team UT to register for the walk, or contact Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3209.

At right: Third-year dental student Zarina Rasheed helps post signs for the March of Dimes “March for Babies.”  Photo by Rhonda  Moran.