The UAB Dentistry Leadership Council is comprised by dental school alumni who assist with fundraising initiatives and serve as an advisory board to Dr. Michael S. Ready, Dean. The Council’s forty plus members also promote “friend raising”, hosting receptions across the region and advocating for the School in a variety of ways. The term length for Leadership Council members is three years. The Council is committed to the School’s mission of optimizing oral health care in Alabama and beyond.
The UAB Dentistry Leadership Council was formed in 2000 by former dean Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto to assist with the School’s development activities. The Council played a prominent role in the 1999-2003 capital campaign, helping the School of Dentistry surpass its $5.3 million goal. During the tenure of Dr. Huw Thomas (Dean from 2004-2011), the Leadership Council expanded its membership to thirty plus members and added a chairperson. The School completed its $7.2 million Maintaining the Momentum Campaign (2004-2008) with the majority of private gifts designated for endowments, the specialty programs, and renovations.
Under the leadership of Dean Reddy, UAB Dentistry Development and Alumni Relations, and the Leadership Council, the School is experiencing great success in UAB’s current capital campaign, the Campaign for UAB (2013-2018). With a University-wide goal of $1 billion, the dental school’s goal for the campaign is $20 million. Current fundraising projects include endowed professorships, chairs, scholarships and programs, renovations, community outreach, and departmental initiatives.
Dr. Warren Arrasmith Leads By Example
For Dr. Warren Arrasmith, the 2016 chairman of the UAB Dentistry Leadership Council, his life in dentistry has come full circle. Having graduated from the UAB School of Dentistry in 1969, he now is on the faculty and heads the Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic. His journey from student to faculty to chairman of the Leadership Council has been an interesting one. Read more in UAB Dentistry News.
Giving Comes Full Circle for Dr. John Barnes
Not many of us can say that we knew what profession we wanted to pursue since the fourth grade. But, that is exactly what happened with Dr. John D. Barnes (’81). His pediatric dentist, Dr. Paul Ivey, helped him with a science project, which consisted of tooth models and cross sections. “He was very helpful in providing materials and coaching me,” Dr. Barnes remembers. “I didn’t win first place, but I won something like an honorable mention. But, it did get my attention, and being a dentist became my goal at that point.” Read more in UAB Dentistry News.
