On May 3, Dean Isabel Garcia announced several administrative leadership changes related to Continuing Dental Education, the Department of Restorative Dentistry’s divisions of operative dentistry and prosthodontics, and the Office of Academic Affairs.
“I am enormously grateful to everyone for being so adaptive to the college’s leadership needs, and gratified that we have so many faculty members with the skills and expertise to deftly and effectively support the myriad demands of a dental school with a broad mission. To use a sports analogy, we have a ‘deep bench’ that strengthens us, overall. I know I can count on everyone’s support for those who are taking on new roles,” Garcia said.
James Haddix, D.M.D., is stepping down as assistant dean for Continuing Dental Education on June 30, having served the college in that role since January 2010. Haddix will continue teaching and providing patient care in faculty practice and will continue to be the college’s liaison to the Florida Dental Association, the Florida Board of Dentistry and the Alachua County Dental Association.
“I want to thank Dr. Haddix for his tireless work in growing our CDE program and his careful stewardship of the programs associated with the CDE office. I am delighted he will continue to play critical roles in our college,” Garcia said.
Alex J. Delgado, D.D.S., M.S., was appointed director of Continuing Dental Education, effective May 3. Delgado is responsible for providing leadership, management and financial oversight of the Continuing Dental Education program. He will also develop a strategic plan for implementing innovative methods of delivering continuing education by leveraging emerging technologies, as well as enhancing traditional delivery methods. He will continue teaching in the Department of Restorative Dental Sciences and providing patient care in faculty practice.
Ana P. Dias Ribeiro, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., was appointed the interim division director for operative dentistry in the Department of Restorative Dental Sciences efective May 3, taking over from Delgado, while also transitioning to a part-time role as associate director of the predoctoral curriculum for the Office of Academic Affairs. Her focus as interim division director of operative dentistry is providing overall leadership for division faculty and staff, overseeing curriculum, managing schedules, and facilitating professional development for faculty. In her new role in Academic Affairs, Ribeiro will work to ensure that the D.M.D. curriculum meets accreditation standards and assisting the department and college in preparing for accreditation. She will also work to improve integration of basic, clinical and behavioral sciences, incorporate additional critical thinking assessments in the curriculum, and continue to move clinical experiences earlier in the D.M.D. educational timeline.
Josephine Esquivel-Upshaw, D.M.D., M.S., was appointed interim division director for the Division of Prosthodontics beginning May 3, filling the role that Panagiotis Zoidis, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., held prior to his appointment as associate dean for Clinical Affairs and Quality Assurance. Esquivel-Upshaw is providing overall leadership to the division faculty and staff, overseeing the prosthodontics curriculum, facilitating professional development for faculty, and working with departmental leadership and administration to ensure continued collaborations.