Topics at a glance: UTDB 2009 Commencement ‘Hurricane class’ praised for resilience, compassion ...Dental Hygiene graduates earned right to wear community service cords ...Downtown Houston is site for Dental Hygiene Graduation Celebration ...UTHSC-H Development Board members make site visit...

‘UTDB 2009 Commencement:
Hurricane class’ praised for resilience, compassion

Brandon Carroll, D.D.S., president of the dental Class of 2009, speaks. To his right are outgoing Dean Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S.; Assistant Professor Dan Bentley, D.D.S., guest speaker Richard Valachovic, D.M.D., executive director of the American Dental Education Association, and Larry R. Kaiser, M.D., president of The UT Health Science Center at Houston. Photos by Rhonda Moran.

By Rhonda Moran, Dental Branch
The 104th graduation convocation ceremony of The University of Texas Dental Branch got under way Friday, May 22 with the usual “Pomp and Circumstance,” crying babies, nostalgic speeches, honors, awards and plenty of hugs and handshakes – the latter made safer by hand sanitizer offered to each graduate about to cross the stage. “Swine flu?” one graduate asked as he approached the steps. “Yes,” replied student volunteer Monica Mueller, as she squirted sanitizer into his palm.

Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., whose term as Dental Branch dean ended after the ceremony, reminded the Class of 2009 of extraordinary events they and the faculty shared. “Many of you began your time at the Dental Branch in 2005, the year of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and you were with us this past year as Hurricane Ike reminded us how quickly everything can change,” she said. “You’ve shown resilience, initiative, dedication and compassion in coping with these storms … and with the many changes that were implemented to provide you with a contemporary education. I am proud to have known you, and I wish you all the very best.” FULL STORY.

Dental Hygiene graduates earned right to wear community service cords

Dental hygiene bachelor’s degree graduate Alicia Harrison earned the right to wear gold community service cords at graduation. She is seen displaying one of the framed copies of the Dental Hygiene Oath her mother prepared for the graduates.

When this year’s dental hygiene graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, those with academic honors were wearing purple cords over their robes. And this year, for the first time, the majority wore gold cords as well, signifying completion of at least 16 hours of community service.

School of Dental Hygiene Program Director Jayne A. McWherter, R.D.H., said the new tradition was patterned after a program at the School of Nursing designed to promote community service. Apparently it has worked: Of 36 dental hygiene students completing a bachelor of science or the certificate program, 34 qualified to wear the gold cords. Some individuals earned as many as 72 service hours, while the class as a whole performed more than 800 community service hours over two years.

McWherter credits Associate Professor Donna Warren-Morris, R.D.H., with bringing the innovation to the Dental Branch and making it part of the Community Dental Health course that she and Associate Professor Holly Rice, R.D.H., direct. Eight service hours are mandatory, and eight more bring the right to wear the cords. The service projects had to be approved in advance by the course directors.

Downtown Houston is site for Dental Hygiene Graduation Celebration

Associate Professor Harold Henson, R.D.H., inducted new members into Sigma Phi Alpha National Dental Hygiene Honor Society. Pictured from left are Katy Lyon Turner, Mandy Romero, Amanda Ayrhart, Henson, Kimberly Birdsong and Clinical Assistant Professor Ann Wetmore, R.D.H. Photo by Rhonda Moran.

The University of Texas Dental Branch School of Dental Hygiene Class of 2009 gathered May 20 for an elegant graduation celebration at Picazo Restaurant in downtown Houston. It was a night for nostalgia, honor and joy as students, faculty, family and friends enjoyed dinner and dancing. Nearly a dozen awards were presented, including membership in Sigma Phi Alpha National Dental Hygiene Honor Society. For a complete list of awards and honorees, CLICK HERE.

UTHSC-H Development Board members make site visit During an orientation visit for new members of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Development Board, Interim Dean John A. Valenza , D.D.S., (right) discusses the UT Dental Branch building project with (from left) Dr. Susan Foshee, Dr. B.J. Westbrook (UTDB ’55), and Development Board Chair Eugene Vaughan. Photo by Rhonda Moran.