Topics at a glance: Funding Boost: UTHSC-H Commits to $155M for New Dental School … Dr. Schwartz, UTDB alumnus, elected to UTHSC-H Development Board … Dr. Wong featured on cover of Rice University newsletter … State Employee Charitable Campaign wraps up Friday … 2008 Fun Fest set for Nov. 7 near SPH

The UT Health Science Center at Houston will seek $155 million for a new Dental Branch building at the corner of East Road and Cambridge Street.

Funding Boost: UTHSC-H Commits to $155M for New Dental School

Pending approval by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, funding for the UT Dental Branch”s new building will be increased to $155 million in what is believed to be the largest single-project capital outlay ever for the UT Health Science Center at Houston. The new building will be connected to another neighbor in the UT Research Park -- the Biomedical Research and Education Facility (BREF), with the entire fourth floor of the BREF dedicated to Dental Branch research. UTHSC-H President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D. expressed strong support for the project. "After discussions with Dean Flaitz, faculty and students, as well as my own first-hand impressions of the current building, I wholeheartedly endorse moving ahead with the new building to house the Dental Branch, and I will devote my full effort to secure the additional funding," he said. READ MORE.

Stephen F. Schwartz, D.D.S.

Dr. Schwartz, UTDB alumnus,
elected to UTHSC-H Development Board

Houston endodontist and UT Dental Branch faculty member Stephen F. Schwartz, D.D.S., has been elected to the Development Board of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He was among seven new members recognized and introduced at the President’s Executive Luncheon Oct. 21 at the River Oaks Country Club. Schwartz joins another new board member, Richard G. "Wick" Alexander, D.D.S., of Arlington, as the first Dental Branch alumni invited for membership on the board.
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Dr. Wong featured on cover of Rice University newsletter

On the cover of their fall newsletter, Rice BIOE News, the Rice University George R. Brown School of Engineering has featured an article about tissue engineering and the collaborative work between Mark Wong, D.D.S., chair of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the UT Dental Branch, and Antonios Mikos, director of Rice’s Center for Excellence in Tissue Engineering. The two are working together on a sweeping new initiative by the Department of Defense to use regenerative medicine to rebuild soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. To read more about their work, read the Rice BIOE News.

State Employee Charitable Campaign wraps up Friday

Have you completed your donation form for the annual charitable campaign? The forms are due by Friday, Oct. 31. Campaign co-chairs John O'Black and Mamie Ellis urge everyone to consider even a small contribution to the charity of your choice. In 2007, 23 percent of Dental Branch employees participated; even so, their contributions totaled $12,780. The campaign is hoping to improve on that this year. You can make a one-time contribution, or sign up for payroll deductions that begin in January. Need a form? Have questions? Contact O'Black at Ext. 4157 or Ellis at Ext. 4221.

2008 Fun Fest set for Nov. 7 near SPH

The 2008 Fun Fest will be held 2-6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7 in a new location - the Texas Medical Center’s Grant Faye Park located between the UT School of Public Health and the School of Nursing. All health science center staff, faculty, and students are invited to dust off their leather jackets and fluff up their poodle skirts to join in with this year’s theme, “Rockin’ and Rollin’ to the '50s.” Admission is free to anyone with a university ID badge. Dressing up to fit the 1950s theme is optional but encouraged. For more information, contact Rose Betancourt-trevino, 713-500-3209.