Page 6 - Dentistry Magazine 2022

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DENTISTRY 2022
Moves in Moos
2022 was a year of transitions for the School of Dentistry, with staff and faculty embracing changes in leadership and looking toward the future.
Karl Self, DDS, MBA, became
the Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs on May 9, replac- ing Sven-Ulrik Gorr, PhD, who served in the role for two years. “Dr. Gorr utilized his considerable academic administrative experience to ably lead the Academic Affairs
Karl Self, DDS, MBA team and our students through the pandemic,” said Dean Keith Mays,
DDS, MS, PhD. “I am grateful to
Dr. Gorr for his dedication to the role alongside his research collabo- rations.” Self takes on the role while maintaining his position as director of the Division of Dental Therapy. He will oversee all academic programs and processes and lead the team of individuals that carry out responsi-
Sven-Ulrik Gorr, PhD bilities related to Academic Affairs. Self holds a DDS from the University
of Minnesota School of Dentistry and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management. He joined the School of Dentistry in 2006 after years directing clinical care centers and consulting.
Brent Larson, DDS, MS, became the Interim Chair of the Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences on June 20. He replaced Daniel Skaar, DDS, MS, MBA, who will remain in his role as director of the Division of Periodontics, pursuing
his research, teaching and clinical
care. “Dr. Skaar has held this role
since 2016, and his contributions and
leadership to the department and the
school are truly appreciated,” said
Mays. Skaar researches the utilization
of dental services by elderly people
and the impact of drug therapies on
dental service use. Larson, who grad-
uated from the School of Dentistry
with his DDS and joined the faculty in
2004, will also continue as Assistant
Dean for Advanced Education and
director of the Division of Orthodon-
tics. “Dr. Larson will utilize his extensive clinical and patient care experience, as well as his teaching and research expertise, to lead this department,” said Mays.
Brent Larson, DDS, MS
Stephen Shuman, DDS, MS
James Gambucci, DDS, MPH
Elham Akhlaghi, DDS, became the Interim Director for Admissions on May 30, as Naty Lopez, PhD, MEd, stepped down as part of a phased retirement. “Dr. Lopez has gracefully and ably led the Admissions and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office since 2007,” said Mays. “Her contri- butions to the school in these areas are immense, and her work is truly appreciated.” Akhlaghi, who holds a DDS and a certificate in periodontics from the Free University of Brussels, joined the School of Dentistry in 2009. She has served on the admis- sions committee for seven years, preparing her for the role. She will continue to serve as clinical profes- sor and predoctoral clinic director
in the Division of Periodontology alongside her new role.
Elham Akhlaghi, DDS
Naty Lopez, PhD, MEd
Stephen Shuman, DDS, MS, became director of the Division of Hospital and Special Care Dentistry on July 1. He replaces James Gambucci, DDS, MPH, who retired this year after 35 years at the School of Dentistry. Shuman will lead efforts to care for patients with conditions that may limit their ability to receive routine dental care. He received his dental degree from Temple University, completed his fellowship and MS in Geriatric Dentistry at the School of Dentistry and joined the faculty in 1989. He directs the Oral Health Services for Older Adults program and the Walker Methodist Dental Clinic. Shuman
has received numerous awards in recognition of his teaching and clinical service to older adults, and he is the eighth dental professional to be inducted as a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.
Daniel Skaar, DDS, MS, MBA