Alumni honors for Wolinsky

Dr. Lawrence E. Wolinsky, professor and former dean of Texas A&M College of Dentistry, was announced this month as a 2021 recipient of the UCLA School of Dentistry’s Alumni of the Year Award. The award recognizes individuals “who set new standards of excellence as oral health care leaders, volunteers and public servants.”

Wolinsky concluded 10 years as dean of the Dallas dental school on June 1. His service was marked by several notable achievements, including the January 2020 opening of the college’s new Clinic and Education Building and the March 2021 dedication of the M.C. Cooper Dental Clinic in South Dallas. The retooling of the Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis and establishment of the Clinical Center for Facial Pain and Sleep Medicine both occurred under his leadership. He also was named the first holder of the endowed James S. Cole Professorship, which honors the dean emeritus.

Wolinsky’s tenure as dean will be celebrated at an appreciation event on Sept. 30 to coincide with the unveiling of a history wall on the sixth floor of the college’s Main Building.

UCLA’s alumni award announcement recognizes the leadership and professional contributions of Wolinsky, who served as a faculty member at the UCLA School of Dentistry from 1980 until 2011 and earned a certificate in periodontics from there in 1986.