Topics at a glance: Weimar dentist J.R. Ballinger donates $100K for scholarships … Valenza inducted into UT Academy of Health Sciences … Pediatric clinicians don costumes for Halloween broadcast … Duke presents research at meeting of American Society for Gravitational & Space Biology … Trajtenberg speaks at Texas Oral Health Summit … ERC’s Halloween Bake Sale raises cash

UTDB alumnus donates
$100K for scholarships

Remembering his own struggles to make ends meet while going through dental school, James R. Ballinger, D.D.S., of Weimar has donated $100,000 for scholarships to The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Ballinger is a 1954 graduate of UTDB and a veteran of World War II (1943-46) who saw combat in Germany and occupation duty in Japan. He married Iola Bumgarten of Schulenburg in August 1946.

After graduation, Ballinger started his practice in West University Place and was there 14 years, during which time Iola left school-teaching and joined him in the practice. He credits her with being "a perfect partner during our life together – 42 years of which were spent in our dental practice." She earned certification as a dental assistant during that time.

In 1968, when A.A. Mensik, D.D.S., of Weimar retired, the Ballingers took over his practice there. Happy to be in the rural setting, they practiced in Weimar 28 years, retiring in 1996 after Iola suffered a stroke. She died in November 2005.

Ballinger’s donation matches the largest ever received at UTDB for a scholarship–a record set in 1986. This new money will be awarded on the basis of either financial need or academic excellence. 

"The school will see to it that the people who get the scholarships are people who deserve it," Ballinger said. "I wanted to give to the school that gave me the ability to earn this money to give back." read more

Valenza inducted into UT Academy
of Health Science Education

John A. Valenza, D.D.S.
Executive Associate Dean

UTDB Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor John A. Valenza, D.D.S., was inducted into The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education Oct. 11 in Austin.

Nominations for membership in the Academy may come from the president, dean or vice-dean and the faculty senate at each University of Texas health science campus.

To be considered for admission, educators must exhibit outstanding performance in categories of excellence in teaching that include, but are not limited to:

• Direct teaching;
• Curriculum development, instructional design or re-design, and assessment of learner performance;
• Counseling and mentorship;
• Educational administration and leadership;
• Educational scholarship and research.

For more information on the Academy, visit their Web site.

Pediatric clinicians don costumes for Halloween broadcast

Pictured from back to front are Kimberly Heeter, D.D.S. (devil); Ryan Cregger, D.D.S. (baseball player); Binita Katheria, D.D.S. (Harry Potter); Brett Ibarra, D.D.S. (cat); clinical assistant professor Michelle Lin, D.D.S. (Snow White); Kristina Langworthy, D.D.S. (angel); dental assistant Maria DeLosSantos (Roman beauty); Joi Shaw, D.D.S., (devil); Suha Reddy, D.D.S., (witch); Takanobu Fujita, D.D.S., (baseball player); Femme Ambrosio, D.D.S., (Harry Potter); and interim program director for the pediatric clinic, Jung-Wei "Anna" Chen, D.D.S., (the Great Pumpkin).

Jung-Wei "Anna" Chen, D.D.S., and the UT Pediatric Post Graduate Clinic were featured Oct. 31 in a segment on Channel 13 (KTRK) on the subject of Halloween candy. The staff dressed in costumes to treat their young patients. Chen recommended non-sticky candy, especially dark chocolate without filling, as the best for teeth. To see the segment, go to "Christi Meyers Reports" (Video on Demand in the middle of the page) and choose "Some Candy Is Better on Teeth Than Others" from the scroll down menu.

Duke attends meeting of American Society
for Gravitational & Space Biology

Orthodontics Professor Jackie Duke, Ph.D., attended the 23rd annual meeting Oct. 24-28 of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology at the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. She presented a poster on “Bioconvection Patterns in Cultures of a Calcifying Alga” that was coauthored by second-year dental student Stephen J. Chen, and displayed work Chen did last summer while he was waiting for materials for his primary project. Chen’s abstract also was chosen for presentation in a special oral session.

Trajtenberg speaks at
Texas Oral Health Summit

Cynthia Trajtenberg, D.D.S., assistant professor in Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials, spoke at the Texas Oral Health Summit sponsored by the Texas Oral Health Coalition Oct. 19 in Austin. She presented innovative clinical cases based on the "Medical Model for Caries Management and Restorative Materials for High-Caries-Risk Patients.”

UTDB Employee Relations Committee members who manned the tables at the Halloween Bake Sale were (from left) Louise Stacey, Ronda Lowe, Mamie Ellis, Cecilia Garza and Nancy Bass.

ERC’s Halloween Bake Sale raises cash for Dental Branch employee functions

The Employee Relations Committee’s Halloween Bake Sale brought in $108. Committee members baked the goods and donated them for the sale. The committee is also selling raffle tickets for the basket of goodies on the table and a $25 gift certificate toward Thanksgiving dinner. The raffle will be held at noon Friday, Nov. 16 in the First Floor Lobby. For information, contact Louise Stacey, Ext. 4056. Proceeds from these fundraisers will be spent on parties for Dental Branch employees.