Page 7 - Dentistry Magazine 2021

First year clinical learners celebrated their White Coat Ceremony in September.
Updates from campus 7
Get to know the Adjunct Clinical Faculty of theYear
Laurie Strand, DDS ’89, was named the Adjunct Clinical Faculty of the Year for 2020.
Each year, students in the clinics vote to honor one adjunct faculty member with the award, which recognizes excel- lence in teaching and patient care. After working one day per week in the clinics early in her career, Strand knew that once she sold her practice, she would want to return as
an adjunct instructor for the School. She is in her fifth year working in pre-clinic, clinic and in the implants lab.
Dentistry Magazine asked Strand about her time at the School and what it was like to receive the honor.
Why did you decide to become an adjunct instructor?
When I first graduated from dental school, I was asked to come into the school and teach one day a week. I did that for about seven years, and I loved it. Since then, I always knew that I wanted to teach once I retired.
How did it feel to be named Adjunct Clinical Faculty of the Year?
It was very humbling. Believe it or not, I’m a bit shy. I really feel that I am accepting this award in repre- sentation of all the adjunct faculty. Students see me everywhere: the clinic, pre-clinic, implants. And it feels great to be appreciated.
I really believe that adjunct faculty do not do this for the money. We do it because we want to mentor students. So this makes me feel so appreciative and really feeds the soul. It’s an honor.
What is your favorite thing about teaching our clinical students?
What I love most is absolutely the students. That’s the number-one thing I look forward to, because they are so optimistic and have such positive energy. Every
time I teach, it reinforces what I know. It’s fun to be a part of the process, co-discovering and co-diagnosing with them.
And the colleagues are incredible: assistants, administrators, full-time, part-time. It’s just a really fun group to hang out with. I love the collaboration with other instructors and within departments. It’s so important to keep your brain going.
Is there anything people should know about you?
I have a lot of other interests in my life beyond dentistry that people might not know about. I have been a member of a flute quartet called the Flute Loops for about 20 years. All my patients throughout my career have gotten a Flute Loops Christmas CD, and everyone I teach with at the U has gotten one, too.