First of all, thank you to the many alumni, friends, supporters, students and residents who joined us in February for the 124th Annual Alumni Meeting, “Celebrating Women in Dentistry,” at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. What a pleasure it was to gather together to learn, reconnect and socialize with our Dugoni School family!

This issue of Contact Point highlights several important advances at the school. You’ll learn more about the Pacific Health Care Collaborative, an integrated dental-medical clinic and academic facility—the first of its kind at an American university—that we are developing in Sacramento, California. We also explore some changes in dental education and how our school is playing a leading role, in part, through faculty leadership at the American Dental Education Association, where I recently concluded my term as chair of the ADEA Board of Directors.

Several alumni are in the spotlight as well, including Dr. John Blake ’88, the new president of the California Dental Association. You’ll also learn more about the legacy and continuing impact of long-standing faculty member, Dr. Bob Christoffersen ’67, and meet one of our newest alums, Dr. Samantha Gallia ’22, who is using her platform as Miss Washington USA to encourage young women to explore science and health careers through the social media campaign #GirlDocsRock.  

From recent graduates to veterans in the profession, the Dugoni School alumni family has a wide variety of personalities, perspectives and professional paths. But one thing ties us together—our dental education experience and the way it prepares us for success.

No matter your age or the stage of professional life you are in, I encourage you to stay in touch with your fellow alumni, remain connected to the Alumni Association and look for opportunities to participate in CE, mentorship and even teaching. I also encourage you to support our philanthropic efforts, including our Dugoni School Annual Fund, endowments or other projects that fuel your passion.

I look forward to the coming months of activity, including our Commencement Weekend on June 16 – 18 when we welcome the newest members to our alumni family—the graduates of the Class of 2023!

Nader A. Nadershahi ’94, DDS, MBA, EdD
Dean and Vice Provost