Fall/Winter Faculty & Staff Meeting

A meeting of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) faculty and staff was held Monday, December 22, 2014, at the 670 Albany Street Auditorium. The meeting recognized the latest recipient of the Henry M. Goldman Award for Distinguished Service and provided updates on progress toward short and long term goals at the School.

Keeping with tradition, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter opened the meeting by inviting each new member of the faculty and staff to introduce themselves and warmly welcomed all of them to the GSDM family.

Dean Hutter then announced the winner of the Henry M. Goldman Award for Distinguished Service which is presented annually to one GSDM staff member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the School and has made an important impact on the community by working to fulfill the mission of the School. The 2014 winner was first floor Patient Supervisor Ms. Marta Diaz.

“A number of exceptional nominations were submitted on behalf of Marta,” said Dean Hutter. “Colleagues described her as incredibly responsible, respectful, dedicated, and compassionate. Marta truly embodies the ideal of excellence that is fundamental to our Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and she is most deserving of the Henry M. Goldman Award for Distinguished Service.” Diaz was joined by her partner Gilberto Cruceta and their daughter Aleesa Cruceta.

The following presentations provided the faculty and staff with progress updates on key initiatives at GSDM:

• a presentation on the reporting of crimes on the medical campus by Boston University Police Department Sargent Daniel Healy;
• an update on the GSDM Faculty Forum by Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and (then) Faculty Forum representative on the GSDM Executive Committee Dr. Eva Helmerhorst;
• a summary of recent and future activities of the GSDM Staff Forum by Central Sterilization Manager and Staff Forum representative Ms. Adela Irias and Supply Store Assistant and Staff Forum representative Ms. Kimberley Whitaker;
• a presentation on the status of admissions for the 2014–2015 academic year by Assistant Dean for Admissions Ms. Catherine Sarkis;
• a summary of the School’s Academic Program Review by Dean Hutter and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone;
• an update on the School-wide implementation and incorporation of digital dentistry by Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials and Digital Dentistry Task-Force Implementation Chair Dr. Russell Giordano and Professor and Chair ad interim of  the Department of General Dentistry and Digital Dentistry Task-Force Curriculum Incorporation Chair Dr. Celeste Kong;
• a review of GSDM facilities projects by Executive Director of Finance & Operations Mr. Tim McDonough and Director of Facilities & Operations Mr. Andy Burke; and
• an update on GSDM space programming and master planning by Dean Hutter.

In closing, Dean Hutter said, “I do hope tonight’s presentations have demonstrated to you that we are well on our way to achieving our vision for our School to become the premier academic dental institution promoting excellence in dental education, research, oral health care, and community service to improve the overall health of the global population. In addition, you all should depart this evening with a better understanding of what we have already accomplished, what we are presently accomplishing, and what we are planning on accomplishing.”