Endowed professorhip to honor Seale

Dr. N. Sue Seale ’70, ’72 (Pedo) is the inspiration for a development initiative geared toward raising $500,000 to establish an endowed professorship that will support the Department of Pediatric Dentistry while honoring Seale’s unwavering dedication to improving children’s oral health.

The N. Sue Seale, DDS, MSD, Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Dentistry was announced to pediatric dentistry alumni in May 2012 at a reception during the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry annual meeting in San Diego. Activity already includes two $25,000 pledges and multiple smaller gifts.

“Our alumni are excited; they think this is a great thing,” says Dr. Alton McWhorter ’85 (Pedo), professor and chair of pediatric dentistry. “Suzi has spent virtually all her professional life at TAMBCD, and we have a widely known and highly respected program in pediatric dentistry because of what she did as department chair and graduate program director.”

Seale joined the faculty in 1974, two years after completing the pediatric dentistry graduate program at the college. Beginning in 1986 she served 23 years as professor and chair of the department, directing the graduate program for 17 of those years. She also is a former director of dental services at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

Her professional recognitions are numerous and remarkable: Pediatric Dentist of the Year by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Baylor College of Dentistry Hall of Fame member, BCD Distinguished Alumni Award, Texas A&M University System Regents Professor, past president of the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and editor in chief of Pediatric Dentistry magazine.

The significance of these accomplishments is not lost on those who came more recently to the college.

“We want to give all who know and love Suzi an opportunity to express their admiration and appreciation in a tangible, lasting way,” says Dr. Lawrence E. Wolinsky, dean. “Suzi agreed to let us launch this campaign mainly because she knows it will benefit the pediatric dentistry department and ultimately the children who are served by the alums, faculty, residents and students of TAMBCD.”

McWhorter desires to use a portion of the money to enhance underserved families’ ability to pay for their children’s care.

“Access to care has been one of Suzi’s big passions,” he says. “I would like to use some of this money to supplement patients from lower socioeconomic areas and help bump up their ability to pay for care through a cost-sharing type of arrangement.”

He believes the endowed professorship is a fitting tribute to Seale’s extensive contributions.

“She is a visionary who built national prominence for our program,” he says. “We get applicants from all over the country and are able to interview the best of the best. Our graduates are proud of the program and proud to be grads. They realize this is a good opportunity to give back.”