It Takes a Team | A message from the Dean

Our predoctoral clinics are organized into Color Groups with dental, dental hygiene, and dental therapy students assigned to a specific Color Group and Color Group Leader. The Division Director of Comprehensive Care, which houses Color Groups, is Dr. Richard Nadeau. Our Color Group leaders are: Dr. Amy Browning (Maroon), Dr. Wendy Engstrom (Green), Dr. Gregory Gella (Silver), Dr. Natalie Peterson (Orange), Dr. Carmen Real (Blue), with additional support coming from Dr. Carol Meyer (IFC), Dr. Kacie Woodis, and a team of adjunct faculty who contribute to the education of our learners.
Each group leader is responsible for shepherding the clinical progress of students and the patients they care for. The groups have third- and fourth-year dental students, second year dental hygiene and dental therapy students. Their counseling and mentoring of these students is the key reason our predoctoral clinical enterprise functions. They also monitor academic progress and ensure that patients are treated comprehensively within our color groups.
December is an opportunity to reflect on the past as we plan for the new year. As I reflect, I am extremely appreciative of the school’s Color Group leaders and the faculty that work in our Color Groups. Our school’s dental clinics have many faculty who make real contributions, such as our advanced education programs, Special Healthcare Needs Clinic, predoctoral specialty clinics, implant clinic, radiology clinic and others. I am appreciative of the entire team and as I think about the past year and the critical role that our group leaders contribute to the development of our students and their progression towards graduation, it is important to recognize the significantly positive impact that they make on our predoctoral and allied programs.
Thank you all for all you do. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!