Nader A. Nadershahi, Interim Dean

It has been a pleasure to serve as interim dean during the current academic year. Since moving into our new facilities nearly two years ago, the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry has spent time fine tuning and reflecting on our building to make sure it works best for students, faculty, staff, patients and other members of the school family. After this intensive focus on our “place,” we are eagerly refocusing on the success of our people and programs.

We are looking closely at our educational competencies to make sure our programs provide students with the skills, knowledge and values required for the changing future of health care. We are reevaluating our curriculum to make sure it remains up to date with the dental profession and the changing needs of society, and recently held an off-site faculty, alumni and student retreat to focus on this issue. We relentlessly pursue excellence in our programs.

The dental school is also investing in people, our most valuable asset. By recruiting and developing talented faculty and staff, we will continue to deliver world-class programs. The dedicated individuals who work at the dental school will help us carry on our great legacy of excellence in dental education.

We are also committed to our students by addressing the challenge of the rising cost of higher education as we support our students and programs through philanthropy. Growing our endowments will help us ensure a strong and stable future for our beloved dental school. In the Philanthropy section of this magazine, you’ll learn more about exciting opportunities to double your gifts to students and programs through the power of the Powell Match program.

These are ambitious goals, but together the Dugoni School family will accomplish them and build an even brighter future.

Sincerely,

Nader A. Nadershahi ’94, DDS, MBA, EdD
Interim Dean