VCU School of Dentistry Magazine /summer 2010

Published semi-annually
by the School of Dentistry
Virginia Commonwealth University
Martha Bushong, MS
Director of Communications and Public
Relations
Editor-in-Chief
Senior Writer
Photographer
David C. Sarrett, DMD, MS, Interim Dean
Neal Hanchey
Layout & Design

REACHING
Nancy Perry
Copy Editor
Cover photo
Allen T. Jones

OUT
Photographers:
Doug Beurlin
Clement Britt
Allen T. Jones
Jay Paul
Visit the School of Dentistry
on the Web at

GIVING
www.dentistry.vcu.edu

Please send suggestions,
evaluations, and alumni news to:
Martha Bushong

BACK
P.O. Box 980566
Richmond, VA 23298-0566
Or email: mbushong@vcu.edu

School of Dentistry
Board of Advisors
Dr. Gerald Brown
Ms. Melanie Callanta-Swain
Ms. Stephanie Covington

MOVING
Dr. William Covington
Dr. Terry Dickinson
Dr. Barry Griffin
Mr. Franklin Hall
Dr. Claire Kaugars

ON
Dr. Benjamin Lambert, III
Dr. Michael McMunn
Dr. Baxter Perkinson
Dr. John Philips
Dr. Carole Pratt
Dr. Pamela Regimbal
Dr. Warren Sachs
Dr. Peter Trager
Dr. Jim Watkins
Dr. Tanya Parris Wilkins

Contents
Interim Dean’s Greeting 2
Reaching Out
Dental and Dental Hygiene Courses Earn VCU Service-Learning Designation 4
Northern Neck Free Clinic – A Refuge for People in Need 6
SADHA Chapter Gives Oral Care to the Homeless 8
Currents of Change Awards 10
VCU, VDA, VDH – Building Dental Homes for Children Through Head Start 12
Neither Snow, Nor Sleet, Nor Ice... 14
First Annual Revere Lecture Anchors Faculty Appreciation Day 16

Giving Back
Fifth Annual Golf Tournament Tees Up Reunion Success 19
Reaching Out by Giving Back 20
Recognizing Alumni Achievements 22
Perkinson Paints for Reunion Audience 23

Moving On
Graduates Take Center Stage 25
A Match Made in Lynchburg 26
Homecoming in the Heart of Texas 27
Graduation 28
Faculty Kudos 29
Calendar (back cover)

Interim Dean’s Greeting
Greetings, from the VCU School of Dentistry. As your interim dean, I
have the good fortune to share a few words and thoughts with you in this
message.
Shortly after the New Year, we found out the School of Dentistry would
undergo a leadership transition. Dr. Sheldon Retchin, Vice President for
Health Sciences at VCU, asked me to serve as interim dean at the school
while he formed a committee and launched a search for a new dean. I was
honored to have the opportunity to serve the school. So I want to take this
moment to say a very big thank-you to everyone—students, staff, faculty,
alumni, and friends—for your support and assistance. In the past few
months, I have spoken with many deans of other dental schools. While we
face challenges at VCU, we have much to be proud of at the School of Dentistry. Every dean should
be so lucky to have what we have.
Part of what we have at VCU’s School of Dentistry is a proud history of service, which forms the
very foundation of our professions. In this issue of our magazine, we highlight some of the school’s
specific aspects of service to individuals, community, and institutions. I think the stories you will read
and the images you will see will make you proud to be a part of the VCU dentistry family. I know I am!
In these stories, we see students and faculty reaching out and providing compassionate care to
patients in Richmond and beyond. We see alumni giving back, establishing scholarships, and helping
future professionals. We see our newest graduates moving on and choosing specific ways of serving
in rural and underserved areas. I hope these examples inspire you and those around you as you each
serve in your own way.
Finally, I think it is important for you to know who the dean is. I have already met, and worked
closely, with many of you who may be reading this greeting. For those of you who may not know me,
I encourage you to visit a link on the VCU website (http://www.people.vcu.edu/~dsarrett), which high-
lights some of my background information.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you.

Best wishes,

David C. Sarrett, DMD, MS
Associate Vice President for Health Sciences & Interim Dean

2 VCU SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY • www.dentistry.vcu.edu

REACHING OUT
Summer 2010 3

Dental and Dental
Hygiene Courses Earn
VCU Service-Learning
Designation
“Serving people throughout To expand their learning, student dentists and dental
hygienists at Virginia Commonwealth University find it wise to
Virginia is like taking a
leave the school. For decades, they have served the community
mini-tour of the state. I through outreach projects such as Special Olympics, Mission of
went places I didn’t know Mercy (MOM) projects, Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Days, and
rotations in community-based settings. Until this year, many of
existed and saw things I
these off-campus experiences, though an important part of the
would not have seen if I school’s service mission, were not formal credit-earning activi-
had stayed in Richmond. ties.
This year, structured hands-on community experience, cou-
Even though I am headed
pled with guided self-reflection, earned two courses, Clinical
to California next year for a General Dentistry and Clinical Dental Hygiene II, III, distinction as
residency, I think I will VCU service-learning courses. The university reserves this dis-
tinction for exemplary courses that fulfill specific criteria. Service-
come back to Virginia.”
learning courses meet a community-identified need through a
Dr. Pete Appleby (DDS’10) minimum of 20 hours of community service per student per
semester. Last year, as a university, VCU offered 80 courses
holding this distinction and provided service-learning experi-
ences to over 2,000 students.
“I came to dental school because I wanted to help people
feel better,” said Sarah Kandrac (D2011). “I’ve volunteered on
MOM projects and done other mission work. I think it is great
that we get to go out into the field for our coursework and see
what it is like to live and practice in rural and underserved com-
munities as part of our formal learning.”
Service-learning combines community life with campus life.
It reaches beyond the classroom into areas of local need. “One
of the most valuable aspects of these courses is the guided
self-reflection through journaling our students do,” said Ms. Kim


Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we have Clinical Service-Learning
in the curriculum?
The new accreditation standards require it. Standard 2-25 states
schools “must make available opportunities and encourage stu-
dents to engage in service-learning.” The intent statement says
service-learning experiences are essential to a culturally compe-
tent workforce, add a special dimension, and engenders lifelong
appreciation for community service.

What would happen if the school did less
service-learning?
Students would lose an important educational experience that
they value. Pulling back would risk damaging carefully devel-
oped relationships with our community partners and could be
potentially damaging to populations who are most vulnerable.

Does the school pay the sites any fees to have
our students placed with them?
No, the sites bear all the expenses of lodging, transportation, and
meals.

How do students handle missed lectures?
DDS students have no lectures in the D4 year. Dental Hygiene
Isringhausen, program director. “In their journals, stu- students use an online platform to keep up with their course.
dents share their thoughts about delivery of care and
the socio-cultural milieu. They explore their feelings What are some of the strengths and weaknesses
about caring for diverse populations in communities
regarding the level of supervision?
Faculty members at the sites are non-paid adjuncts. Most
with great need. The journals foster empathy and already are adjuncts at the school and already teaching. They
lead to conversations about the struggles and chal- allow more flexibility on the treatment and put more responsibili-
lenges of people who come from different back- ty on the student. They are calibrated on OSHA policies through
grounds.” the continuing education office. The sites want to be calibrated
to the standards we do at the school.
Research in schools of dentistry nationwide indi-
cates that students who engage in community-based How are students awarded credit?
activities return to their school-based clinics more Emphasis is on the service and not production. We track what
competent, more proficient, and more confident in the students do, but they aren’t awarded points for it.
their skills. They also gain a deeper understanding for
What are some of the biggest challenges ahead?
the needs of patients in underserved populations. Balance the need for technical proficiency with the benefits of
“There’s no guarantee that the exposure to treating underserved, underinsured populations in different areas
diverse populations will ensure that future dentists of the state.
and dental hygienists will practice in rural or under- Balance the need for students in the predoctoral clinics at the
school with the need to have them working off-site.
served areas,” said Ms. Isringhausen. “But we know
if they have the experience of being there, there is a
better chance for making that choice.”

Summer 2010 5

Northern Neck
Free Clinic–
“The students add a huge
dimension to our work. I am

A Refuge for continually impressed with
the compassion and respect

People in Need they show for their
patients.”

Dr. Stuart Martin
Northern Neck Free Clinic
staff dentist

Travelling northeast from Richmond, the landscape changes, Piedmont
surrenders to coastal plain. Hills flatten as backwaters and estuaries, home to
shellfish and shorebirds, invade the terrain. For decades, city dwellers and
retirees looked here for refuge and found places to slow down, relax, and enjoy
the friendly atmosphere and the calmer pace near the Chesapeake Bay.
But the pace at the Northern Neck Free Clinic south of quaint, picturesque
downtown Kilmarnock, more than an hour away from downtown Richmond, is
anything but slow or calm. By 1:30 on a Thursday afternoon, seven student
dentists and two student dental hygienists from VCU have been working
steadily for more than five hours. Handpieces buzz, while water and suction
flow. Odds are these high-energy teams will work past 7:00 that evening treat-
ing patients, while addressing persistent problems of access to dental care in
the community.
“There is so much need,” said Dr. Stuart Martin, a staff dentist at the Free
Clinic. “Our bay may run out of oysters, but we will never run out of patients.
When students are here, we don’t run out of energy either. They bring so much
vitality, enthusiasm, and youth to the clinic. We love having them here.”
The students may see things a bit differently at the end of a long day, feel-
ing less than energetic, but they believe the hard work and 11-hour days at
sites like Northern Neck are one of the best things about dental school. This
year, each senior will spend an average of 21 days off-campus providing care
to underserved Virginians in community-based sites.
These experiences extend what the students learn at the school. They see
the community-based sites as valuable clinical experiences, learn to work
faster, and gain confidence in clinical decision-making and patient manage-
ment. The Kilmarnock clinic is one of a dozen extramural rotations that form
the backbone of the school’s newly designated service-learning courses.


The value of the service-learning courses, howev-
er, extends far beyond the clinical experience. “By
exposing students to more patients of varied ethnic,
socioeconomic, and demographic backgrounds,” said
Ms. Kim Isringhausen, program director, “they gain a
fuller understanding of the benefits of practicing in
rural or underserved communities. They come to
appreciate the needs of communities throughout the
region. Our hope is that as they do, they choose to
practice in communities like these after graduation.”
In the service-learning courses, extraordinary vol-
unteers, paid staff members, VCU student dentists,
and VCU student dental hygienists collaborate to pro-
vide quality dental care to people in need. The off-
campus rotations have been part of the curriculum for
six years.
The program began in the 2003–04 academic
year with three sites. Two of them, Northern Neck
Free Clinic (Kilmarnock) and Free Clinic of Central
Virginia (Lynchburg), remain active. In 2009–10, the
expansion reached a high-water mark of 14 sites. Ms.
Isringhausen estimates that in a 10-month time period
during 2009-10, the sites provided over $1 million in
“In these rotations, we increase our speed and free dental care.
confidence,” said Jeff Davidson (D2010). “We get
to focus on getting the work done. Here, we see
eight patients every day. It makes us realize we can
handle it. This is how it will be when we graduate.”

Summer 2010 7

SADHA
Chapter Gives
Oral Health
Care to
Homeless
Homeless, jobless, and penniless, the men who show up at
the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Richmond have lost
everything to drugs and alcohol. Frequently, the only thing they
do have is something nobody wants — aching teeth. The center,
a place for men to get clean and sober, provides counseling, job
training, and a safe place to stay.
“People who are drug dependent typically don’t take care of
their teeth, so they are often in extreme pain,” said Ms. Tammy
Swecker, assistant professor in the VCU School of Dentistry’s
Division of Dental Hygiene. “They use the drugs to take away
the pain and then their dental health worsens. It becomes a
vicious cycle. If we can alleviate the pain, we think that helps
with recovery.”
For three years, members of the school’s Student American
Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) Chapter have visited the
Richmond Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center, giving the resi-
dents a combination of health promotion, education, some basic
supplies (toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste), and taking away
toothaches.
When Ms. Swecker took on the role of SADHA advisor, she
wanted to make sure the VCU chapter found a way to serve the
community. Her experience in the VCU Health System made her


Since 2007, SADHA
aware of the Salvation Army’s center. “I knew these men
and knew what might help, but the student dental
Chapter funds have
hygienists make this project work.” provided money for
Since 2007, student dental hygienists have visited 80 screenings, 14
the center on a regular basis. The Dental Hygiene Class cleanings, and 11
of 2008 gave $2,500 when they graduated to help fund
extractions. SADHA
the project and provide cleanings and extractions for the
neediest residents to have treatment rendered at the
President Hannah
VCU School of Dentistry. Their initial support really got Barnette said,
things rolling. In subsequent years, student dental “The project is
hygienists have added money to their treasury with chap- small, but every
ter fund-raising activities.
year it grows, we
“Many of the men have never been to a dentist in
their entire lives,” said Major White, the director of the help more people
center. “The dental hygiene students come here and do and gain experi-
one heck of a good job. They give solid advice in a pro- ence delivering care
fessional and courteous manner. Most importantly, they
to people in need.”
take away the pain.”

Photos by Latasha Turner
Summer 2010 9

Turner, one of the student dental hygienists
who participated in the Clinical Service-

CURRENTS Learning program said, “I take great pride in
being able to help the men at the Salvation

OF CHANGE
Army Center learn what oral health means to
them, to their bodies, and to their overall well-
ness. The most gratifying aspect of the visit is

AWARDS
the outreach to, interaction with, and apprecia-
tion of the residents within the program.”

The VCU Council for
Each year, the VCU Council for Community Community Engagement
Engagement proudly highlights and celebrates
partnerships that benefit students, staff, faculty,
presented a signed, limited
and alumni from communities around the corner edition print of Dr. Baxter
and around the globe. Through its “Currents of
Perkinson’s watercolor, “Stars
Change” awards, the council recognizes pro-
grams of outstanding university-community part- in Motion.” The original
nerships in three focus areas: teaching and learn- watercolor hangs in the VCU
ing, outreach and service, and research and
scholarship. Health System’s Critical Care
For its service to the thousands of Virginians Tower. This print celebrates
who cannot obtain dental care despite the urgent
the university’s outstanding
need, the VCU School of Dentistry’s Mission of
Mercy (MOM) projects won recognition as an collaboration in community
exemplary program in the category of outreach engagement. Dr. Perkinson
and service.
The School of Dentistry and the Division of chose this print to symbolize
Dental Hygiene nominated two additional projects the universal need for
for the council’s Currents of Change Award. The
school’s Clinical Service-Learning program was
mindfully engaged citizens
nominated for the teaching and learning category,
and the school’s Salvation Army Dental Outreach
Program was nominated for the outreach and
service category as well as the teaching and
learning category.
The growth and expansion of these programs
exemplifies the School of Dentistry’s continued
commitment to community engagement. Latasha

VCU President Michael Rao addresses
the audience at the “Currents of
Change” awards ceremony.


VCU, VDA,VDH–
Building Dental Homes for
Children Through Head Start
Since Head Start began in 1965 as part of President One of the many caregivers of Head Start children in
Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” it has included a Virginia who already uses VCU as her family’s dental home
health promotion component. Despite the program’s many is Mrs. Sonya Fallen. For two years, she has been bringing
successes, American children still miss more school days her children to the school’s Department of Pediatric
due to dental caries than to any other illness. Moreover, Dentistry for checkups and treatment. “We live in Charlotte
compared to other students, low-income children miss County, and we drive to get here, but it’s worth it,” she said.
more school days due to dental caries. However, Mrs. Fallen also noted that many families with
This year, the VCU School of Dentistry, the Virginia Oral children in Virginia’s Head Start programs might not know
Health Coalition, the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), and where to go to receive routine, dependable dental care.
the Virginia Department of Health will forge a partnership to “Head Start makes sure the children get to the dentist,” she
better address this major oral health problem among chil- said, referring to the program’s insistence on annual dental
dren. The partners hope to strengthen the oral health com- checkups, as mandated by federal law, “but they don’t tell us
ponent of Head Start throughout the Commonwealth by who to see.
launching a Dental Home Initiative. Mrs. Fallen said the VCU dentists and their staff can
“Federal laws mandate that every child enrolled in a take care of everything, from the most routine exam to more
Head Start program receives an annual dental checkup,” complicated surgeries. On her family’s most recent visit, her
said Dr. Tegwyn Brickhouse, department chair for the 2-year-old son Kyle, who was with her husband in another
School of Dentistry Department of Pediatric Dentistry and clinic operatory, had no cavities; but her son Kaleb, age 4
state leader for the American Academy of Pediatric years old, had several suspicious white spot lesions that may
Dentistry’s Dental Home Initiative. “That mandate has real- need further treatment.
ly stemmed the tide, and the rate of dental caries in many Dr. Andrew Reed, Chief Resident of Pediatric Dentistry,
populations remains pretty stable. This initiative seeks to examined Kaleb’s teeth, asked detailed questions about his
move the care a step further by establishing more dental medical history, and recommended treatment options for the
homes for Head Start children.” family to consider. He also showed Mrs. Fallon the white
“The definition of ‘dental home’ varies,” Dr. Brickhouse
said. “But simply stated, it means children have a licensed
dentist or a dental practice where people know them and
know their families. It means they have someone who under- Kyle and Kaleb Fallen’s family have made the
stands their oral health and sees them on a routine basis.” VCU School of Dentistry their dental home.
As an epidemiologist and a public health dentist, Dr.
Brickhouse has the perfect combination of education and
experience needed for an effective state leader in Virginia’s
Dental Home Initiative. “Teg is passionate about the oral
health of children,” said Dr. Terry Dickinson, executive direc-
tor of the VDA. “Her perspective on the importance of pre-
vention and health promotion will be an enormous asset to
this initiative. Not only that, she can also leverage resources
from the VCU School of Dentistry to help make this part-
nership successful.”


Dr. Terry Dickinson, executive director of
spot lesions on her son’s teeth and, more importantly, how to help her son the VDA, with a Head Start patient at the
effectively brush his teeth until he develops the ability to adequately brush Wise County MOM Project.
independently.
“So much of what we do in pediatric dentistry is based on the pre-
vention of childhood caries through the education of both parents and
children,” Dr. Reed said. “We take the time to educate parents about the “In Virginia, barriers to dental
importance of oral health through proper habits and practices.” care vary by region, but if you
“Sometimes, it can be extremely difficult to get young children to look at the concentration of Head
cooperate with the brushing of their teeth,” Dr. Reed continued. “In some
instances, we teach parents different positions and techniques that enable
Start centers and their relation-
them to adequately care for their children’s teeth on a daily basis.” ship to the location of pediatric
To increase access to dental care for Head Start children, and to give dentists, you can see much of the
more children the opportunity for better overall health, the Dental Home variability is demographic and
Initiative will use a decentralized, community-based approach. It will geographic,” said Dr. Terry
establish and broaden provider networks and web-based training and
regional workshops. With start-up funds of $10,000 from the American
Dickinson. “Even when we pro-
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Virginia’s regional trainings will be held in vide dental access points at our
collaboration with VCU School of Dentistry faculty, pediatric dental resi- Mission of Mercy projects, it is
dents, and student dentists. difficult to treat the pediatric
“I plan to use some of these regional programs as part of the pre-
doctoral pediatric dentistry rotation,” said Dr. Brickhouse. “This way, we
population in those settings. In
can move our students into community sites and complement their activ- Wise, for example, we encourage
ities in the school’s clinics. The rotations will give student dentists the kind Head Start to bring the children a
of experiences they need to feel comfortable treating children as general day early to see what we can do,
dentists or specialists when they graduate.”
The initiative’s targeted regions include Northern Virginia, Southwest
but we know there are many
Virginia, Central/Southside Virginia, and Tidewater/Eastern Shore Virginia. children we miss.”
“My next step is to set up recruitment meetings,” said Dr. Brickhouse, “and
roll out the first regional training workshop in the fall of 2010.”
Summer 2010 13

Neither Snow,
Nor Sleet,
When near blizzard conditions enveloped
the city of Richmond on February 5, 2010,
many local Give Kids a Smile sponsors
rescheduled their program because of the

Nor Ice...
inclement weather. The VCU School of
Dentistry’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry
stayed open with plenty of volunteers, but
didn’t know exactly what to expect. With
school closings, they suspected even more
children might show at the clinic, but then
again, everyone might stay home.
Because Dr. Carl Atkins (DDS ’83, Pedo
’85) enjoys the unexpected nature of life and
his work, he willingly braved the icy road con-
ditions to lend some much needed help. “I
usually take Fridays off,” said Dr. Atkins.
“When Dr. Elizabeth Berry asked if I could be
in the clinic on that day, I gladly said yes. I
brought my staff with me because I had a
feeling we’d be busy and, with my own team,
we could be more efficient and treat the more
difficult cases. That made the work challeng-
ing and interesting.”
As the snow fell on the city’s streets and
sidewalks, children and parents sat in chairs
lining the hallways of the Wood Memorial
Building, waiting to hear their names called.
Behind the doors of the clinic, Dr. Atkins, his
office team, and 41 other volunteers from
VCU School of Dentistry treated 94 uninsured
and underinsured children, providing more
than $38,000 in free dental care.
For years, the American Dental
Association has promoted Give Kids a Smile
as part of National Children’s Dental Health

Dr. Elizabeth Berry, assistant professor in
the Department of Pediatric Dentistry,
led the department’s 2010 efforts.

14 VCU SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY www.dentistry.vcu.edu

Month. This year, dentists nationwide provided
free treatment and education for 320,000 chil-
dren.
“I do this because it gives me such a good
feeling to help,” said Dr. Atkins. “The children
and their parents really appreciate it. I’ve been
involved with this volunteer day in other places
in past years, but the school needed my help
this year and I was happy I could be there.”
Dr. Atkins also serves as an adjunct faculty
member in the Department of Pediatric
Dentistry, but his teaching duties started even
before he graduated from dental school. “As a
senior dental student, I worked as a teaching
assistant. Then when I moved onto my residen-
cy, I continued those duties. I haven’t stopped
since.”
“Carl is one of those people who stays
engaged,” said Dr. Tegwyn Brickhouse, depart-
ment chair. “He consistently follows through. I
can always count on him to be here on his
scheduled day, calmly listening and watching
over our student dentists. He doesn’t mind ask-
ing them how they are doing, seeing if they
need help, jumping in with advice or sugges-
tions.”
Dr. Carl Atkins treating one of the children
Dr. Atkins has his own reasons for serving
at the school’s clinic. In FY 2008-09, VCU
as an adjunct professor at the school. “I teach
School of Dentistry provided $3.6 million in
because it keeps me fresh. It’s good to get out dental care to 5,221 children.
of the office and see the birth of new profes-
sionals.”

Since the department hosted its first Give Kids a Smile event in 2008, the num-
bers of children served has more than doubled. “I don’t see how we can get any
bigger,” said Dr. Tegwyn Brickhouse, department chair. “One thing we might want
to consider for next year is offering some health education to the children and
parents.”

Summer 2010 15

First Annual Revere
Lecture Anchors Faculty
Appreciation Day

As recently as 2007, surveys conducted by the American Dental
Education Association revealed that dental school deans reported almost
400 vacant budgeted faculty positions in their schools. In spite of ongoing
nationwide faculty shortages, the VCU School of Dentistry continues to
attract a talented cadre of teachers. This year, on April 16, 2010, the
school combined two events on one day to honor the faculty and show
appreciation for their service.
“The dedicated people who comprise our faculty are one of our great-
est resources,” said Interim Dean Dave Sarrett. “They serve in the operato-
ries, treating patients and teaching our students. They work in the laborato-
ries, seeking increased understanding and encouraging disciplined inquiry
from students in dentistry and in basic science. We need to affirm their ser-
vice and encourage their continuing education. This day was an effort to
do both.”
In the morning, 100 faculty members gathered in the Empire Room of
the historic Jefferson Hotel to listen to Dr. Irwin Becker (DDS ’69),
Chairman of the Department of Education at the Pankey Institute, and to
earn six hours of complimentary continuing education credits at the first
annual James H. Revere, Jr., Faculty Appreciation Lecture.
“My experience with the Revere Lecture was very meaningful,” said Dr.
Becker, “as I had the special opportunity to address both full-time and
part-time faculty at my alma mater. We had a spirited but very useful dis-
cussion at the end of the day. I sincerely hope it was as meaningful to
them as it was to me, and I look forward to working with VCU again.”
Matt Detar (DDS ’07), who recently returned to VCU to teach part-time
at the School of Dentistry, said, “This is my first year as an adjunct faculty
member, so obviously I have a lot to learn. I feel so fortunate to have heard
Dr. Becker and get some practical advice from this pro.”


Dr. Jim Revere (left) and Dr. Irwin Becker at the The school offered the continuing educa-
Faculty Recognition Reception tion opportunity at no charge because it was
the First Annual James H. Revere, Jr., Faculty
Appreciation Lecture. Support for the lecture
came from an endowment created in October
by Dr. Revere’s friends and VCU faculty mem-
bers, Dr. Jim Burns and Dr. John Svirsky. The
two friends hope someday the endowment
will grow financially into an endowed profes-
sorship, but until then it provides a wonderful
opportunity for many faculty to learn and
grow professionally.
After the continuing education program
concluded, many faculty members returned
to the Jefferson Rotunda with their guests for
Interim Dean Dave Sarrett’s Faculty
Recognition Reception. The evening recep-
tion capped off a perfect day of thanks and
appreciation.

Summer 2010 17

GIVING BACK

Fifth Annual Golf
Tournament Tees
2010 Reunion &&
2010 Reunion

Up Reunion Success
Alumni Weekend
Alumni Weekend
April 23- 25, 2010
April 23- 25, 2010

The school has changed! The stu-
dents we talked to were sincerely
happy to welcome us. They all
expressed, it’s a tough curriculum
but we love it here attitude.
Dr. Paul Callahan (DDS’85)

Spring 2010 19

Reaching Out
By Giving Back
Many School of Dentistry reunion classes chose
to reach out this year and give back to their alma
mater. With the leadership of reunion class chairs,
classmates volunteered to call other classmates,
ask for pledges, host dinners, and make generous
gifts and pledges themselves. By mid-May, they had
raised $441,315 in gifts and pledges for endow-
ments and unrestricted funds to help the school’s
students and programs.
Reunion giving sends important messages to
current students. It reflects the school’s significance
in the lives of its alumni and fosters pride. It demon-
strates commitment and engagement of genera-
tions of former students.
Scholarships help defray some of the expenses
of professional school for academically deserving
and financially needy students. With the cost of
higher education rising and its impact on students Dr. Jim Revere and Dr. Phil Kennedy present their
increasing, Virginia Commonwealth University’s class gift to Interim Dean Dave Sarrett.
president, Dr. Michael Rao, launched a $50 million
campaign called “Opportunity VCU”, specifically for
scholarship gifts. To express their support of this
important presidential initiative, the 1960 and 1965
School of Dentistry classes earmarked their reunion
gifts for dental student scholarships.
The Class of 1960, led by Dr. Bob Eshleman
and Dr. French Moore, gave a record $348,850 in
gifts and pledges and created the MCV DDS
Class of 1960 Reunion Scholarship Endowment.
“My classmates have done well as a result of their
education and training here at this school,” said
Dr. Eshleman. “I hope more will continue to partic-
ipate and reach out to future dental students by
giving back.”

Dr. Mike Campbell presents the gift from the Class
of 1985 to Dr. Sarrett.


Dr. Steve Forte and Dr. Sarrett with the Class of
1995’s gift. Dr. Avi Gibberman presents the gift from the Class of
2005 to Dr. Sarrett.

Other reunion classes gave unrestricted gifts,
which, in challenging economic times, add flexibility
and strength in addressing the school’s budgetary
needs. “The volunteer leaders in each of the classes
worked diligently all spring to make these gifts a reali-
ty,” said Interim Dean, Dr. Dave Sarrett. “We can’t
thank them enough for their tremendous effort that
generated so much support for the school and its stu-
dents.”

Dr. Dave Sarrett, Dr. Bob Eshleman, and Dr. French
Moore with the gift from the Class of 1960.

VCU School of Dentistry
2010 Reunion Gifts and Pledges received as of 5/17/10
Class Pledge Chairs
DDS Class of 1960 Dr. French Moore / Dr. Bob Eshleman $348,850
DDS Class of 1965 Dr. Jim Revere / Dr. Phil Kennedy $ 21,685
DDS Class of 1980 Dr. Bill Dabney $ 1,200
DDS Class of 1985 Dr. Mike Campbell $ 30,000
DDS Class of 1990 Dr. Dennis Wong $ 12,000
DDS Class of 1995 Dr. Steve Forte $ 24,000
DDS Class of 2005 Dr. Clay Weisberg / Dr. Avi Gibberman $ 3,580
Total $441,315

Web extra — To see additional photos of all the reunion activities and events,
visit the School of Dentistry website at www.dentistry.vcu.edu
Summer 2010 21

Recognizing
Alumni Achievements
Each year, the Dental Division of the MCV
Alumni Association presents two prestigious
awards: The Harry Lyons Outstanding Alumnus
Award and the James H. Revere, Jr.,
Outstanding Service Award.
In 2010, the Dental Division proudly recog-
nized Dr. Jim Watkins (DDS ’75) with the Harry
Lyons Outstanding Alumnus Award. The award
criteria outline service to four areas: the school,
the school’s alumni, the school’s students, and
the dental profession. Dr. Watkins’ contributions
testify to his character, dedication, and commit-
ment to all four areas.
“I have known Jim as a friend, a colleague,
and fellow member of the Virginia Board of
Dr. Bruce Warnick and Dr. Gordon Townsend from the Class of
Dentistry for over 20 years,” said Alonzo Bell,
president of the Virginia Dental Association. “He 1940 look forward to coming back each year for Reunion and
embodies a true professional spirit with his ser- Alumni Weekend.

vice to dentistry, the community, and the country and is
truly deserving of this honor.”
At the same time, the Dental Division also honored
Ms. Kim Isringhausen with the James H. Revere, Jr.,
Outstanding Service Award. This award recognizes a
School of Dentistry graduate or honorary alumnus for
outstanding leadership, loyalty, and service to the com-
munity, School of Dentistry, and the profession of den-
tistry.
Ms. Isringhausen (BS ’95, MPH ’04) has a distin-
guished history of service to the school and oral health
professions of dentistry and dental hygiene. Currently,
she serves as the school’s director of dental hygiene
and its clinical service-learning program. As director,
she elevated this program by increasing the number of
sites and placements for all student dentists and stu-
dent dental hygienists in public health clinics throughout
the Commonwealth. Students widely agree the extra-
mural rotations are one of the best parts of their dental
school experiences as they learn to treat diverse popu-
lations and experience dentistry in other parts of the
Dr. Jim Watkins and Ms. Kim Isringhausen state.
received this year’s awards from the Dental
Division.


Perkinson Paints for
Reunion Audience “I never know exactly
what I am going to
paint until I start. Sure
I have an idea. I know
whether the picture
will be a landscape or
flowers, but I paint
from my imagination.
I have a notion and
then I go with
the flow.”
Dr. Baxter Perkinson

On Saturday afternoon of Reunion Weekend in April, the large lecture hall of the school’s Delta Dental
Conference Facility became an artist’s studio as Dr. Baxter Perkinson (DDS ‘70) engaged an audience of
over 100 people in conversation and questions, while painting a landscape and describing the painting
process.
Dressed in an olive VCU sweatshirt and workpants, Dr. Perkinson used tools as varied as brushes, buckets,
salt, toothbrushes, and even a hairdryer as he painted with characteristic enthusiasm. He charmed the audience
with a smattering of personal anecdotes, watercolor theory, and stories about classmates and mentors.
“I paint because I have to. I can’t not paint,” he said. “It relaxes and energizes me. When I come home
from work, I like to spend a couple of hours in my studio painting and unwinding.”
“My wife, Elaine, was the one who encouraged me to start painting,” he continued. “She said, ‘If you can
do the kind of dentistry you do, you can paint.’ We took a class together, and I got hooked.”
Artwork displayed in buildings all over the VCU campuses testify to Dr. Perkinson’s prolific output. In the
School of Dentistry, 220 of his original paintings add color and beauty to the walls of its classrooms, hallways
and offices.
Dr. Perkinson never sells his artwork. True to his generous spirit, he donates his paintings, matted and
framed, for charity auctions or volunteer groups. At the reunion event he did both. An auction of his display
painting raised $1,001 for the school’s scholarship funds, and he presented reunion class leader and mentor,
Dr. Bob Eshleman (DDS ‘60), the watercolor he created during the demonstration.
“Bob was my first teacher,” said Dr. Perkinson, “and a faithful friend to this school for 50 years. I want him
to have this picture.”

Summer 2010 23

MOVING ON

Graduates Take Center Stage

Interim Dean Dave Sarrett greeted
parents, graduates, and families at the
school’s Honors Convocation on Friday
May 21, 2010, by reminding them of the
joyous nature of the event.
“If you are going to clap,” he said,
“first of all, do it; secondly, do it loudly;
and finally, do it with passion.”
This year’s ceremony took place at
the newly opened Richmond CenterStage
Performing Arts Center where the beauti-
fully restored Carpenter Theatre provided
comfortable seating and an elegant backdrop to the
festivities
DDS Professional Plans from the Class of 2010
Representatives of the DDS Class of 2010 present-
ed Dr. Sarrett with a check symbolizing a cash gift of 41 Private Practice
$8,500 to help the Clinical Service-Learning. Program 19 General Practice Residencies
and to purchase extra swipe pads for the Lyons, 12 Advanced Education in General Dentistry
Perkinson, and Wood clinics.
8 Orthodontics Residencies
Jennifer Stevens presented a check for $4,600,
which represented a gift from the Dental Hygiene Class 4 Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Residencies
of 2010 to help the student hygienists who follow them. 2 Pediatric Dentistry Residencies
The faculty and staff wish our newest graduates all 1 Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
the best in their future endeavors.
U.S. Military Service, AEGD, or Residencies
1 Army
2 Navy
4 Air Force

Summer 2010 25

A Match Made In Lynchburg
“The service-learning rotations really
ramped up my skills and gave me the prac-
tice I needed to become confident in my
abilities, while helping people who are in
need of dental care. Once I get settled in
Bedford, I would love to volunteer at the
Free Clinic and continue to help students
and patients.”
Dr. Rudy Wolf (DDS’10)

When he orients VCU senior student dentists to
their extramural rotation at the Free Clinic of
Central Virginia in Lynchburg, Mr. Bob Barlowe, the decayed areas of the teeth, Dr. Wolf used the avail-
clinic’s executive director, often tells them, “You able time to complete a full smile reconstruction.
never know what will happen while you are here. Using bonded composite resin, he built up each
You may even meet someone who wants to hire tooth individually from canine to canine and gave her
you after graduation.” a whole new look.
That prediction came true for Dr. Rudy Wolf, a “Rudy stood out from the crowd,” said Dr.
graduate of the Class of 2010. “When I came to Anthony Bailey, a dentist from nearby Bedford, who
Richmond four years ago, I thought I would most like- volunteers as an adjunct faculty member at the clinic.
ly return home,” said the San Diego native. “But a “He didn’t stop working because he didn’t have a
combination of factors changed my mind. After patient scheduled. He kept going and found a way to
spending a couple of years in Virginia, I realized I do more. And the quality of his work was first class.”
needed to practice somewhere that needs me. In a “We saw eye-to-eye immediately,” said Dr. Wolf.
rural area, with fewer dentists, I can help more peo- “Dr. Bailey showed me some composite techniques
ple. The countryside and the lifestyle of Virginia start- while I was working and we struck up a conversation.
ed to grow on me.” One thing led to another and now, several months
Dr. Wolf loves challenges and is eager to learn later, we’ve come up with a contract and agreement
and improve life for others. Rarely satisfied with good for me to practice with him in Bedford when I gradu-
enough, he wants to do more, work harder, work ate.”
smarter, and get better results. “I really believe you As a general dentist, Dr. Bailey believes in the pri-
get out of dental school what you put into it,” he said. macy of his patients. “I want to give them what they
“If the cases and patients don’t come to you, go out need, whether it is simple or complex,” he said. “I
and find them.” was looking to take on an associate who would be
During his extramural rotation in Lynchburg, one willing to learn about implants and sedation so my
of Dr. Wolf’s patients canceled, so, true to form, he practice could offer those services. Rudy told me
looked for more work to do. He had one patient and those were exactly the new therapies that he wanted
thought maybe he could do more for her because to learn. With the experience Rudy got at VCU, I
now he had more time. So he asked her, “What can I know he already has the skills to do anything we do
do for you? Why are you here?” in my practice now. I’m really looking forward to
The patient told him she wanted her front teeth to working with him full-time very soon.”
look better. They were heavily decayed and she felt
self-conscious. Instead of merely restoring the


Homecoming In The
Heart of Texas
“I feel like I’ve come full circle. After
graduation, I’m going back to work
as a public health dentist in the small
town in Texas where I grew up and
still have family.”
Dr. Amber Weems (DDS’10)

In her mind, Amber Weems (DDS’10) never dreamed her first job out of dental school would be in Texas, but deep in
her heart, well, that was a different story.
The Total Healthcare Clinic, where Dr. Weems’ mother worked as a dental assistant over two decades ago, and
where her Head Start class received dental care, provides quality health services to medically underserved residents of
Northeast Texas. As the premier provider for Medicaid, Medicare, and S-CHIP and uninsured patients in the community,
the agency treated over 23,000 children and adults last year.
“I always felt this was my niche,” said Dr. Weems. “Going to a place like Total Healthcare Clinic is perfect for me. I
want to provide a great dental service to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. The care will be lower cost, but
not lower quality.”
As a student at VCU School of Dentistry, Dr. Weems received a National Health Service Corps scholarship. The schol-
arship award included dental school tuition and fees and a monthly stipend. In return, she will work in a NHSC-approved
Health Professional Shortage Area for four years. Since the first class of 20 students graduated from VCU School of
Dentistry in 1972, over 30,000 clinicians like Dr. Weems have elected to serve Americans in this way.
“It’s a great way to get an education,” she said about the scholarship. “And the pay is great, too. I am starting out at
around the same salary as many of my classmates.”
Dr. Weems searched for jobs in Virginia at first, because that was where she wanted to be. But when she came up short
in the Old Dominion, she knew she had to cast a wider net. So she looked in Louisiana and Texas where she had family.
She still came up short until she mentioned the clinic in Tyler, Texas, to her mother. Even though she didn’t want
parental assistance, Dr. Weems’ mother insisted and made a phone call. The doctors and staff at the clinic were delighted
to hear about her, and they called her for an interview within days.
“I am proud, excited, and honored to do this kind of work.” Dr. Weems feels a strong need to give back. “I’m not
afraid to say it. We didn’t have much money when I grew up, and I want to go back and help the community that nurtured
and supported me.”
Oh yes, and Dr. Weems grandma is happy to have her granddaughter coming back to Texas. “Grandma thinks
I’m going to live with her,” she chuckled. “I need to let her know I have other plans, but would welcome some
home-cooked food once in a while.”

Summer 2010 27

Graduates Take
Center Stage


VCU SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
Faculty Kudos
Dr. Tegwyn Brickhouse, Associate Professor in the Department of
Pediatric Dentistry, was appointed the department’s permanent chair after
serving as the interim chair for several months.

Dr. Carolyn Booker, Associate Dean for Student Services, received the
Award for Professional Achievement from VCU’s Women in Science
Dr. T. Brickhouse Dentistry and Medicine at the organization’s annual leadership conference.

Dr. C. Booker Dr. Carol Brooks’ Mission of Mercy (MOM) Project was nominated for
and subsequently received the VCU Council for Community Engagement’s
Currents of Change Award in the category of outreach and service. Dr.
Brooks, Associate Professor in the Department of General Practice, serves
as the clinical director of the VCU School of Dentistry’s MOM Project.
Dr. C. Brooks

Dr. James C. Burns, Associate Dean for Clinical Dental Education, was
Dr. J. Burns appointed by the superintendent of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to serve
on the board of directors of the VMI Research Laboratories. The board
supervises the fiscal responsibilities of VMI’s research grant applications
and acceptance.

The Department of General Practice was recognized by the DDS
graduating class as Department of the Year.

Dr. Debra Haselton, Professor and Director of the Advanced Education
in General Dentistry Program, was elevated from Associate Fellow to
Active Fellow in the Academy of Prosthodontics at the annual scientific
session in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M..

Dr. Robert Strauss, Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial
Dr. D. Haselton Surgery, was appointed Chairman of the Major Surgery Section of the
American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and served as Scientific
Chair for the 2010 annual meeting of The American College of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons (ACOMS). Dr. Strauss was also elected Secretary of
ACOMS.
Dr. R. Strauss

Ms. Tammy Swecker, Assistant Professor in the Division of Dental
Ms. T. Swecker
Hygiene, received the American Dental Education Association’s Professor
of the Semester Award presented by VCU School of Dentistry students.

Summer 2010 29

VCU
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Dentistry Non-profit Organization
520 North 12th Street U.S. Postage Paid
P.O. Box 980566
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0566 Permit Number 869
Address service requested Richmond, Virginia

Because we are good stewards of the environment, this
publication is printed on recycled paper.
Please recycle to a friend of dentistry.
An equal opportunity, affirmative action university
041206-02.

August 27, 2010
Cyril and Evelyn Mirmelstein Ethics Lecture
Guest Speaker: Dr. Charles Bertolami
Kontos Medical Sciences Building, Lecture Hall
1:00 p.m.

October 15, 2010
White Coat Ceremony
Richmond Convention Center
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

October 24, 2010
MCV Foundation Scholarship Brunch
Calendar

The Jefferson Hotel

October 29, 2010
Friends of Dental Education Dinner
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
7:00 p.m.

February 19-27, 2011
SoD CE First Costa Rican Adventure with John Svirsky, DDS
Space is limited; call 804.828.0869.

Photo by Allen Jones

VCU School of Dentistry Magazine /summer 2010

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (14)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (20)

Similar to VCU School of Dentistry Magazine /summer 2010

Similar to VCU School of Dentistry Magazine /summer 2010 (20)

VCU School of Dentistry Magazine /summer 2010