MORE THAN JUST THE NEW YEAR’S BABY Submitted by Warren Morganstein, DDS, MPH, Associate Dean, Enrichment Program and Dean’s Faculty
Jan. 1 has brought with it more than just the New Year’s baby. It has also brought 50 additional Dean’s Faculty members who have joined the Dental School’s volunteer faculty during 2004. These additions bring the total number of Dean’s Faculty to 130 individuals who volunteer their time at the Dental School. An additional 60 Dean’s faculty volunteers participate in local communities as Dean’s Faculty members, primarily as clinical preceptors in the Extramural Training Program. Although the Dean’s Faculty Program was initiated in January 2004, faculty recruitment did not begin until last April, after 3 months of program development.
Mission The purpose of the Dean’s Faculty Program is to enrich the University of Maryland Dental School through a large cadre of dedicated volunteers who contribute significantly to the School by playing an active and important part in the Scho ol’s programs of education, research, service, and development. Goals Dean’s faculty members will be enriched as a result of this program. They will receive tangible benefits in professional development, recognition within the Sschool and community, as well as the intrinsic reward of making a difference. Participating in the Dean’s Faculty Program is relatively simple. The School will ensure that parking, access to needed information, work-space, and other needs are consistently met. As a result of the Dean’s Faculty Program, full-time faculty will be enriched by having the opportunity to spend more time and effort in research and scholarship. The Dean’s Faculty Program will enrich the lives of students by providing quality instruction, mentorship, and early exposure to the “real world” of dentistry. In addition to teaching, Dean’s Faculty members will enhance the Dental School by engaging in numerous additional activities such as: research, service, recruitment, and admissions and development. The mutual benefits to both the members of the Dean's Faculty and the School will be establishing a partnership that contributes to advancing the Dental School's mission and goals while simultaneously providing an opportunity for the Dean's Faculty members to address their own professional and personal development needs through service to the Dental School, its faculty, students, and patients. Other benefits to Dean’s Faculty members include: - In-service training
- Continuing education credit for teaching and attending classes
- Invitations to appropriate faculty events
- Study-club membership and presentations
- Special social activities
- Work space and use of computers in the School
- E-mail accounts
- Improved parking accommodations
Comments about the program by Dean’s Faculty members, other Dental School faculty and administrators and, most important, dental and dental hygiene students have been extremely favorable. These volunteers are playing an increasingly important role in the Dental School. We are continually looking for outstanding members of the dental community, including dentists, dental auxiliaries, family members, and other individuals who may be interested in becoming a member of the Dean’s Faculty. Please call Dr. Morganstein at 410.796.7146 or visit www.dental.umaryland.edu and click on Dean’s Faculty for more information. Visit the Student News link in this issue for students' perspectives on the Dean's Faculty.
| 
