February 9, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry Dean Huw F. Thomas, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., has earned the Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (SELAM) 2010 Award for Excellence for his contributions to the development and promotion of women leaders in academic health care.
The SELAM Award for Excellence honors individuals that have served as a role model, mentored, supported and advocated for women in medicine, dentistry and the health professions. Thomas will be honored and receive his award at the SELAM reception March 1 during the American Dental Education Association meeting in Washington D.C., Feb. 27 to March 3.
Thomas earned his dental degree from Guy's Hospital, University of London, England, in 1975. In 1978, he received a Pediatric Dentistry Certificate from Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, N.Y., and a master's degree in dental research from the University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. In 1986, he earned his doctorate in biomedical sciences from the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Conn.
Prior to joining UAB in 2004 as dean of the School of Dentistry, Thomas held positions of increasing responsibility at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and University of Connecticut Health Center.
Thomas is the author or co-author of more than 150 published articles, chapters and abstracts in numerous scientific journals and holds fellowships in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists. He is a member of several national and international associations and societies, including the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society.
He is chair of the Section on Dentistry and Oral Health Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science; a consultant and chair of site-visit teams for the Commission on Dental Accreditation; and chair-elect of the American Dental Education Association Council of Deans.
Thomas previously served terms as a member of the National Board Test Construction Committee of the American Dental Association; Hatton Awards Committee, American Association for Dental Research and International Association for Dental Research; executive committee member and program chair, Section on Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Health, American Academy of Pediatrics; and chair of the Council on Scientific Affairs, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
About the UAB School of Dentistry
The UAB School of Dentistry maintains a national reputation for excellence. In addition to its professional degree program leading to the doctorate of dentistry, the school offers accredited postdoctoral programs in eight areas of study.