News

The School of Dentistry welcomed 16 new learners to the Program for Advanced Standing Students this January, comprising the class of 2024. 

The Program for Advanced Standing Students, or PASS, is a 29-month program designed for graduates of dental schools outside the United States and Canada who have moved to the United States and want to practice dentistry within the U.S. 

“Emily’s existing experience and credibility at the University of Minnesota, strong relationships with donors, demonstrated leadership of the development and alumni relations team and commitment to advancing dental education distinguished her as the right candidate to fill this role,” reflected Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, in his announcement of the role. “I look forward to continuing my work with her and hope you will join me in welcoming her into the role of the Chief Development Officer.”

January marks a time when new year resolutions are made. Some people don’t like the term resolutions, so they set goals. It is an interesting process, because many of the goals and resolutions aren’t pursued beyond Valentine’s Day. But I believe there is something hopeful, and even optimistic, about the mental exercise of placing the things of last year in the past and charting a path forward into the unknown of refreshed dreams, hopes and aspirations.

When Peter Wilkinson, DDS ’22, reflects on what drew him to dentistry, one aspect stands out: the people. “I started out college in engineering, then I got a job in a research lab and considered pursuing a research career,” recalled Wilkinson. “But that seemed socially limiting and when I thought about what I really cared about, I realized I wanted to work with people and make a difference in their lives.”

Sakaguchi’s time at the School of Dentistry prepared him well for his future. In fact, he is one of three prosthodontics graduates who graduated in consecutive years and went on to become deans: Gary Anderson, DDS, MS, completed training a year before him, and a year after Sakaguchi completed his studies, Ihab Hammad, BDS, MS, PhD, completed his and became dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Alexandria University. 

Annika Johnson, DDS ’22, got an early start on her dental education thanks to a special mentor. Her mom, Becky Johnson, graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1992.