Faces in new places

Texas A&M College of Dentistry recently announced changes among its administration.

Dr. Charles Berry, former associate dean for academic affairs, has assumed the role of special assistant to the dean. In this new role, Berry will serve as director of accreditation in preparation for the dental school’s accreditation site visit in 2018.

Berry earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas; a master’s degree in bacteriology from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana; and a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

“Dr. Berry has carried the college through no fewer than six successful comprehensive accreditation site visits,” said Dr. Lawrence Wolinsky, College of Dentistry dean. “I can think of no one better than to have him in this important position. I also want to thank him for the wonderful years of service and dedication he has given to the college as associate dean.”

Dr. Paul Dechow, Regents Professor, has been named associate dean for academic affairs. Previously, he served as biomedical sciences department head.

In his new role, Dechow is responsible for ensuring that the needs of the college and its departments and faculty are met through continuous monitoring of academic issues and ongoing implementation and evaluation of faculty promotion and tenure. He also will lead faculty development and strategic planning, student curriculum, student examination processes and student due process, as well as coordinating requests for annual faculty evaluation and managing the faculty scholarly activity database. Dechow is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulatory requirements related to the Office of Academic Affairs, and he assumes fiscal responsibility for all academic affairs operations. In addition, he will serve as the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation self-study and site visit coordinator for the college.

Dechow earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a doctorate from the University of Chicago. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Leigh Ann Wyatt is the new program director for the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene in addition to her role as clinical assistant professor. She is responsible for the recruitment and admission of dental hygiene students as well as overseeing orientation, curriculum, course schedules and graduation. Additionally, Wyatt is tasked with the accreditation self-study ensuring the dental hygiene program meets CODA requirements in addition to the Western Regional Examining Board. Her role includes certifying dental hygiene students for the national boards.

Wyatt earned a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the College of Dentistry in Dallas and a master’s degree in Christian education from Dallas Theological Seminary, also in Dallas. She later returned to the dental school to complete a master’s degree in dental hygiene.

Pat Campbell is now executive director of the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene, responsible for financial and faculty decisions for the department. She formerly was the dental hygiene program director.

Campbell received associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. She earned a master’s degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Dr. Lynne Opperman, Regents Professor and director of technology development, is serving as the interim department head for biomedical sciences.

In this added role, she is responsible for promoting an environment of integrity and collegiality that stimulates department faculty and staff to work at their optimum performance levels. Opperman also will oversee the recruitment, appointment and retention of highly qualified faculty, staff and researchers. In addition, she must ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulatory requirements related to the biomedical sciences program and assume fiscal responsibility for all the department’s operations. Opperman will lead the continual development of the biomedical sciences research program, which emphasizes the importance of basic and translational research to the improvement of oral health. Her oversight includes the academic aspects of the clinics as an effective and efficient source for developing research opportunities for all scientists, clinician-scientists and clinicians.

Opperman earned her doctorate from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Dr. Jian (Jerry) Feng, professor in biomedical sciences, has assumed a new role as assistant dean for research.

Feng received a bachelor’s degree in medicine and a master’s in physiology from the University of Qindao Medical College in Qindao, China, followed by a doctorate in physiology from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in physiology and medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and another postdoctoral fellowship in medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

Lisa Mallonee is the new director of the graduate program for the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene.

In addition to her faculty role in the undergraduate and predoctoral curriculum, Mallonee will now function as the director of graduate thesis research at the dental hygiene school and as graduate program co-director for the Texas A&M College of Medicine Master of Science degree in education for healthcare professionals.

Mallonee earned a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and a master’s degree in public health with a coordinated degree in nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“I’m excited about these leadership changes as I believe these individuals will continue to build on the college’s strong foundation,” Wolinsky said. “I am confident that as we forge ahead and break new ground, we will continue our legacy as a leader in oral health education, research and patient care.”