Family and Friends Association

S P R I N G
2 0 1 1
Family and Friends Association
The University of Texas Dental Branch
Contents
Letter from the President
Page 2
Membership Form
Page 3
TAWD
Page 4
PEDS
Page 4
Class of 2014
Page 5
Delta Sigma Delta
Page 6
Class of 2013
Page 6
Class of 2012
Prom 2010
The annual holiday party, also called Dental Prom, was held at
The Tasting Room in December. It’s a highly anticipated postfinals party put on every year by the student council. Pictured
above are Lori Rollo, Liz Salazar, Bethany Peterson, Ashley
Belek, and Erin Gutierrez.
Prom goers Josh Knowles, RJ Harris, Chris
Pedlar, and Mason McClintock.
Page 7
Class of 2011
Page 8
Letter From the President
Dear Family and Friends of UTDB,
It’s been a typically busy year for the students, both Dental and Dental Hygiene. With the end of the
academic year fast approaching, they are preparing for their next challenge. For the 4th year Dental
students and the Dental Hygiene II students, that will be finals, board exams and then graduation on May
20th. For the others, it will be more exams, including finals, National Boards for some, and treating
patients in the clinics which will begin to tie all of the academic work together.
Through all of this, we have continued to support the students with financial assistance for the Freshman
Orientation Barbecue, the White Coat Ceremonies, the Holiday party/Dental Prom, and provided snacks
during finals in December (and will do so again in May). We will also be supporting the Dental School
Olympics and the Senior Awards Banquet this year. I would like to thank our board members, Betty
Pedlar, Gayle Kruse and Dr. Amber Pedlar, as well as Maelene Miller for their invaluable assistance,
without which none of this would be possible.
As you may have heard, there is also change in the air, including the name of the school. Effective June
1st, UTDB will become The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. If you don’t already do
so, you can follow these news items on the schools web site in the e-Flash updates and the videos, V-flash,
by interim dean, Dr. John Valenza. As Dr. Valenza has stated, the construction of the new building is ―on
schedule and under budget.‖
Lastly, I would ask that you continue to support this association, both with your annual dues, and with
your active participation if possible. We always need new board members, but will gladly accept any
assistance you can provide. Attached is a membership/renewal form and we are looking forward to
hearing from you. Feel free to contact me anytime at my email address, brucesdr@sbcglobal.net, or cell
phone, 713-306-7451, if you have any questions or suggestions, or would like to help.
Thanks,
Bruce S. Smith, DDS
University of Texas Dental Branch-Houston Family & Friends Association
Membership and Support Form
2011-2012
Dear Parents,
The University of Texas Dental Branch Family and Friends Association, formerly the Parents’
Association, is an organization of dental and dental hygiene parents, plus students, families and friends,
who play a supportive role in student activities, programs and projects. We welcome new members and
active participation if possible.
Your donations provide assistance for:
Annual Open House and White Coat Ceremony
Dental Branch Holiday Dance
Cookies, brownies, snacks, etc, during final exams
Orientation barbecue for Freshmen
Upkeep of the Student Lounge
Dental School Olympics
Emergency Student Loans
____I wish to become a member of: Dental Branch Family & Friends Assoc.
$20 per person $40 per family
____I wish to become a member of: The Century Club
$100-249
____I wish to become a member of: The Chairman’s Council
$250-499
____I wish to become a member of: The President’s Club
$500-999
____I wish to become a member of: The Dean’s Circle
$1000 or more
Please consider the following:
____I would like to serve on the Board of the Family and Friends Association
____I have a talent/interest/would be willing to help with: computer work, graphics, etc.
____I am willing to help when/where needed.
Name(s)_________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip___________________________________________________________
Telephone (Home) _______________________(office)__________________________
Student_________________________________DDS______DH______Class Level_______
e-mail address___________________________________________________________
Enclosed is my check for__________
Your support is greatly appreciated!! Please make checks payable to:
Dental Family & Friends Association.
Please mail to:
Dental Branch Family & Friends Assoc.
Office of Student Affairs
BOX 20068
Houston, Texas 77225
TAWD Ornament Exchange
Third year TAWD members exchanging
ornaments and relaxing before finals begin.
Texas Association of Women Dentists
TAWD is a resource for education and inspiring the lives
of student women dentists. ―Lunch and learns‖ are held
every month to help women dentists get to know each
other and other dentists in the area, as well as social events
to help students learn about life on the outside. One of the
―lunch and learns‖ we had this fall was with Dr. Shelli
Peters, a professor at the Dental Branch. Her talk taught us
how to handle opening a new dental practice while being a
wife and mother at the same time.
The kick off social event this year to welcome the first year
students was the annual Wine and Cheese in August. This
event allowed incoming students to get to know the upper
classmen. Other social events include activities like bowling
and a night of painting and socializing at Mad Potter. Our
annual holiday ornament exchange is held every year,
where the most popular ornaments are the homemade
ones! To celebrate the seniors graduating in May, the new
officers plan a special diner to congratulate seniors on their
accomplishments.
Teddy Bear Check-Up volunteers from the
Dental Branch from left were Dr. Sandy Fenton,
Urvi Jadav, Rachael Garrett, Katya Shevchenko,
Brenden Taylor, Adrienne Archidiacono,
Elizabeth Briceno,; Alan Urbach, Carla
Matwijecky and Sergio Lopez.
We have many exciting events planned for this coming
semester and are looking forward to another busy and
successful year! – Sanam Wright, TAWD Secretary
Pediatric Education Dental Society
The Pediatric Education Dental Society (PEDS), established in 2008, is a student association that
encourages and promotes the pursuit of excellence in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Sanford Fenton is the head of
the pediatrics department and the organization's proud faculty sponsor. Consisting of more than 30
members, the club holds monthly meetings to discuss topics such as ‖Emergency Situations During The
Holidays‖ and ―Importance of Baby Teeth‖. PEDS is involved in outreach programs for the community as
well. In December 2010, members joined residents and faculty from UTDB in lending a hand at The
Teddy Bear Check-up fair. Students were able to educate children about oral hygiene through fun,
interactive demonstrations on the kids’ teddy bears. This spring PEDS is also involved in Give Kids a
Smile Day, another service project that will provide free dental care for low income families.
The club has achieved national recognition by the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry and
is looking forward to broadening its horizons even more in the upcoming years.
DDS Class of 2014
Friends & Family,
As our first year of dental school approaches its end, few of
us from the first-year class can believe how quickly time has
passed since August! Since the White Coat Ceremony, a
meaningful day that we were thrilled to share with our
family and friends, the eighty-two students in our class have
done more than many of us thought possible. During our
first semester we all worked very hard to successfully
complete the rigorous academic schedule we were placed
in. Pre-clinical courses like biochemistry and physiology
required a lot of time and commitment while lab courses,
such as dental anatomy and foundational skills for clinic, allowed us to begin developing our hand skills
and working with patients.
Since the second semester began in January the class has experienced many firsts. In gross anatomy we
have been given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the human body through
the use of real specimens. The course is demanding and we have collectively risen to the challenge
meanwhile honoring the donors who made this learning experience possible. In operative dentistry we
have, for the first time, begun using dental handpieces to drill and fill teeth as we practice the skills that
we will use for the rest of our careers.
Dental school has been hard work, but the class of 2014 has found time to socialize and enjoy themselves
outside of the classroom! Whether we’re playing sports together or meeting up at hotspots across
Houston, the class makes sure to enjoy each other’s company when we have time to spare. Additionally,
many students have joined one or more of the clubs and associations the Dental Branch has to offer,
including but not limited to the Psi Omega and Delta
Sigma Delta dental fraternities, Texas Association of
Women Dentists, the Hispanic Student Dental
Association and the American Student Dental
Association. A handful of students have even been
given the amazing opportunity to travel to Chicago,
Anaheim and San Diego with research groups and
other organizations.
We would like to thank our family and friends for
their continuing love and support. Without you, this
first year would have been considerably more
diffidifficult.
difficult.
difficult.
-C/O 2014 Officers
Class of 2014 Officers
Kristin Jefferson, Bryce Gates, Michelle Gaona, Shannon
Tovson, and Derek Steinbring
DDS Class of 2013
Being the new guy is never easy, but it’s
especially tough when you’re the newest
member of a family. That’s exactly the situation
I faced when joining the Class of 2013 in
August after taking a year off from school. I was
the newest guy joining an 83-person family to
start the most difficult semester of dental school.
Dr. Pierpont insists that every member of the
UT-Dental Branch is part of a large family, and
that philosophy is exactly what the Class of
2013 embodies. Liana Tam, Juan Martinez, and
I were embraced with open arms as the newest
members of their family. Without that
immediate support and sense of belonging,
making it through the semester would have
been utterly impossible!
Surviving pharmacology was just one of the
many obstacles that we had to overcome in the
fall. We were introduced to topics like
anesthesia, radiology, and pathology and we
learned how to make dentures and cast
restorations.
In the spring, we will be entering clinic, which
of course means pretending to understand EPR,
using pagers, calling patients, prescribing drugs,
collecting fees, and oh yeah… doing some
dentistry every once in a while! We’re all
incredibly anxious, nervous, and excited to
begin training with people instead of heads-ona-stick!
Most of all, we’re ready to progress through
these experiences as a family!
-Tamir Dean Anver, C/O 2013
Delta Sigma Delta
DSD 2009-2010 Initiation: Pictured from left to right: Robert
Schudy, Victoria Ramirez, Jay Littlefield, Kyne Homerstad,
Kelly Zhao, Carlos Carrion, Tim Johnson, Andrew Kelsey,
Pranav Mody, Dr. Stevenson, Kevin Nail, Jennifer Nguyen,
Tina Mathew, Amanda Glogowski, Shieva Molavi
The Tau Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Delta has been busy this
year balancing our social and school lives. The 2009-2010 school
year started off with Rush events to bring new members into the
fraternity. Initiation this year was held at Valhalla, the Rice
University Graduate Student Association bar. Other events that
we enjoyed included lunch and learn, a Thanksgiving potluck, and
Christmas dinner and gift exchange. We also volunteered at the
San Jose Clinic, putting some of our dental skills to use helping the
community. Members also came to say farewell to the graduating
seniors at a senior banquet at Pappasitos. Next year, we hope to
volunteer in the community more often and to have more social
events after school.
DDS Class of 2012
The past few months have gone by so fast! It’s
hard to believe that we are over half way done with
dental school. It seems like only yesterday when we
were waxing our crowns in the basement. We now
spend the majority of our week in clinic treating our
patients. Even though the added responsibility comes
with extra work, we can now say that we are finally
making a significant difference in the community.
Our summer session was pretty relaxing. We took a
few classes but most of our time was spent studying for the
Dental Prom: Evan Cettie, Bethany Peterson,
National Boards Part 1 exam and with our first patients.
Rachel O’Brien, and Sierra Hornberger.
Although the Boards required a lot of our time, many of us found some time to get away and have
some fun in the sun.
After summer was over, we immediately got back into the swing of having a fuller class load
with clinic. However, it was nice to enjoy a Fall Break only a few weeks into school due to WREB. The
semester included more specific classes like Oral Pathology and Physical Diagnosis. Half of the class
had the opportunity to improve in oral surgery by spending a week at Ben Taub Hospital. In October,
we celebrated Halloween at the annual Halloween Party hosted by Delta Sigma Delta and Psi Omega.
This year the Peacock Projeck, comprised of classmates Brandon Braud, Evan Cettie, Alex Ionescu,
and Krystelle
preformed
at the party.
Finally,
wrapped
up the semestertowith
Dental Prom.
OutsideBarrera,
of school,
many students
had reason
towe
celebrate.
Congratulations
the newlyweds
in
our class: Holly Gindy Michael and her husband Andrew Michael, Veronica Perez Mueller and her
husband John Mueller, Sierra Gartin Hornberger and Jack Hornberger, and Jeremy Funk and his wife
Angela Anderson Funk. Best wishes to Curt Martin and his wife, Julie, on the arrival of their baby boy;
to Angela and her husband, Jonathan, on the arrival of Noah; to Chris Hoffpauir and his wife, Amanda,
on the arrival of Fiona; and to Tammie Thibodeaux and her husband Russell on the arrival of Katelyn.
Good luck to Sanam Wright who is currently expecting a baby boy this semester.
We are looking forward to our
last semester as third years and
completing the transition to becoming
more independent student providers.
We will soon be able to call ourselves
dentists and start paying off those
student loans! However, we could not
have done it without the support of our
close friends and family. Also, a big
thank you goes to all our faculty, staff,
and administration
administration for
for all
all their
their hard
hard
and
work in
in helping
helping us
us reach
reach our
our goals!
goals.
work
-Olivia Bustos,-C/O
C/O2012
2012
Bier Haus: Katherine Knowles, Erin and Erin Broberg, Josh Knowles, Dr. Frey,
and Mason McClintock.
DDS Class of 2011
The days have been long, the nights filled with coffee, but the
years flew by like we just started yesterday! It’s so hard to believe
that we will be doctors in a matter of weeks! Fourth year has been
awesome. We settled into our ―practices‖ and greatly improved
our skills, confidence and speed. Our instructors have done a
great job of loosening the leash just enough but pulling us back
just in time. We have learned lots of practical dentistry each
morning in our rounds before starting clinic for the day.
In December and January we took Part 2 of our National Board
Exam—SCARY! It was a tough test that encompassed everything
we have learned about dentistry in the last 4 years. After weeks of
biting our nails and waiting for scores, we finally passed one of the last hurdles. Our class had a 99% first
time pass rate! After all, we have been over-achievers since the beginning.
We will probably do more dentistry in the last few weeks of school than we did in all of 3rd year combined
as we try frantically to finish our requirements and complete our patients. We will also be preparing for
our WREB exam, the clinical exam we take to finish and the final hurdle we must clear to graduate.
As always, we make time for fun. Our first year at the Dental Branch we brought home the Dental
Olympics trophy for the first time in 9 years. We get to host Dental Olympics again our senior year (in a
few weeks) and we can’t wait to bring it home again in our last year. Much thanks to Chris Mun for all of
his work putting this event together for all 3 Texas dental schools!
Our Senior Awards Banquet is planned for April 28 at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Houston where
we will celebrate each other and our accomplishments over the last four years. We will have a huge
graduation party on May 19th and will be walking across the stage to get hooded on May 20th. We are
honored to hold the title as ―last graduating class of the Branch‖ since on June 1st, the school’s name will
officially change from the Dental Branch to the School of Dentistry. The rich history of successful and
revered dentists who have graduated from the
―Branch‖ before us makes us proud to hold this
honor.
I guess this is our final time to say thank you to the
amazing professors, clinic instructors, mentors,
friends and family. You have stood behind us and
beside us, cheering us on every day, reminding us
that we can achieve success, even on days when it
feels like nothing goes right. Thank you for believing
in us from the beginning, for your love,
encouragement, and for never letting us give up on
this dreams!
dream we dreamed so long ago. We could not
our
have made it without YOU!
FAMILY AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
SPRING 2011
Questions or Comments?
This newsletter was made possible thanks to the contributions
of class and organization officers as well as the help of
Rhonda Moran. If there is anything you would like added or
if you have any other comments, please contact me, Dr.
Amber Pedlar, at garciaamber@hotmail.com. If you are
interested in becoming a Family and Friends Association
member, please print and send the form on page 3.
Thanks!