Lasting Impressions | Fall 2017

NSU COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE © 3 Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM) continues to cel- ebrate its 20th anniversary and the advances the CDM has achieved since 1997. Today, our outstanding faculty members are recog- nized for the prestigious awards they receive and the cutting-edge educational methods they are developing. Research is expanding as CDM faculty members partner with investigators in the NSU Center for Collaborative Research and other universities. Our students contribute their intellectual energy, creative ideas, and commitment to social justice to the community. And, our alums are taking their places as leaders of their communi- ties and the dental profession. This issue of Lasting Impressions highlights leadership—that of our faculty members, our students, and our alums—and the global impact they are making. This year, I am proud to note that Diane Ede-Nichols, D.M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Community and Public Health Sciences, was named the 2017 NSU President’s Professor of the Year for Community Engagement. Read how alumna Tagreed Alohali, D.M.D., has taken her CDM special needs education to start a special needs clinic in her home hospital in Saudi Arabia. And, who could have predicted that one of our stu- dents would be in Guinness World Records ? The efforts of our community of scholars—faculty members, students, and alumni—all assist in making the NSU College of Dental Medicine achieve its vision: “To lead by having a significant impact on advancing oral and craniofacial health through innovation in dental education, clinical practice, scientific discovery, and commu- nity service in local and global communities.” Linda C. Niessen, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P. Dean and Professor College of Dental Medicine Nova Southeastern University 2 © LASTING IMPRESSIONS Message from the Dean FALL 2017 • VOLUME 4, NUMBER 2 Lasting Impressions is produced by NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY College of Dental Medicine 3200 South University Drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328-2018 NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY George L. Hanbury II , Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer HEALTH PROFESSIONS DIVISION Irving Rosenbaum , D.P.A., Ed.D., M.P.A. Interim HPD Chancellor COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE Linda C. Niessen , D.M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P. Dean and Professor CDM ALUMNI SOCIETY ADVISORY BOARD Amir Akhavan , 2014; Timothy Case , 2001; Daniel Crossen , 2011; Karen McKenzie , 2007; Ashley Millstein , 2011; Liz Montero , 2011; Michelle Palmer-Español , 2010; Chris Phelps , 2003; Pamela Steiger , 2012; Chris (Steven) Villanueva , 2004 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Scott Colton , B.A., APR HPD Director of Medical Communications and Public Relations MANAGING EDITOR Oline H. Cogdill ART DIRECTOR Susan Tischenkel-Hayward , Associate Director/ Senior Graphic Designer, Office of Publications OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS Ron Ryan , Director Sheryl Koral , University Editor Carol Reynolds-Srot , Associate Editor/Copywriter Roberta Harris-McCafferty , Graphic Production Manager Impressions lasting Lasting Impressions welcomes your letters, com- ments, and suggestions. Please send them to Rosalie Marin at rm1147@nova.edu . Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate’s, bac- calaureate, master’s, educational specialist, doctorate, and professional degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Nova Southeastern University. Nova Southeastern University admits students of any race, color, sex, age, nondisqualifying disability, religion or creed, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school, and does not discriminate in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, schol- arship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. 08-086-17SAT MAKING AN IMPACT BY MICHELLE F. SOLOMON CDM ALUMNI MAKE THEIR MARK CDM alumni return as residents. Alexander Raiken, left, a second-year endodontics resident; Kelly Cundy, a second-year chief resident in pediatric dentistry; and Michael Wiernicki, a second-year postgraduate chief orthodontic resident. Confidence. Community. Camaraderie. Ask alumni of Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM) what has made them leaders in their profession and in their communities, and you’re sure to hear at least one, if not all, of the three C’s. Christopher Phelps, D.M.D., CMCT, graduated from the CDM in 2003. The founder of Carolinas Dental Center of Matthews and