Alumni News

Arrasmith turned a dental injury into a dental career

An injury on the football field led to a career in dentistry for Warren Arrasmith, D.M.D.

Kase maintains connection with Ukrainian dental journal despite conflict

Not long after arriving at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2017, Michael Kase DMD struck up an Instagram collaboration with an overseas oral surgeon, Eugene Fresenko PhD, who that same year was helping start a new dental journal.

Sonya Mitchell is retiring from the School of Dentistry to enter new phase of her career

A mere 25 years after graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, Sonya Mitchell D.M.D., M.S.H.A., is about to enter private practice.

UAB SOD loses a ‘gentle soul’ with passing of longtime faculty member Perng-Ru Liu

The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry recently lost a longtime and beloved faculty member with the passing of Perng-Ru Liu, DMD, DDS, MS.

Alumni Weekend to kick off school’s 75th anniversary celebration

UAB School of Dentistry’s annual Alumni Weekend, February 2-5, 2023, will kick off the school’s yearlong 75th anniversary celebration.

Dr. Bill Reeder – Cross Country

One might say Dr. O. William “Bill” Reeder, Jr. (’71) has taken the scenic route throughout his life. That not only surmises his professional life but his choice of residences as well. Born in Andalusia, AL and raised in Luverne, the UAB School of Dentistry alumnus was influenced to pursue a dental career by long-time Luverne dentist and also UAB alumnus, Dr. Billy Beall. “The UAB School of Dentistry had a great reputation. I thought my education was fair but very tough and my education put me in a position where I could make a difference,” said Reeder.

UAB School of Dentistry Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Wayne Prim

Dothan and dentistry through and through

Dr. Wayne Prim has always loved making beautiful things with his hands. Before he discovered dentistry, he was interested in pursuing a career as an architect.

Catching up with Dr. Milton Essig and his unique retirement adventures

Anyone who knows Dr. Milton Essig (Class of ’70), knows his attention to detail and his love of dentistry. During his thirty five years as a UAB School of Dentistry faculty member, he trained hundreds of UAB students, and even more through organized dentistry.

Chavali to join International Dentist Program leadership team

Ramakiran Chavali, B.D.S., M.S., has been appointed Assistant Director of the International Dentist Program (IDP) in the UAB School of Dentistry effective September 1.

UAB School of Dentistry Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Michelle Ireland

An inspiring mission trip turns into a passion for practice

UAB School of Dentistry celebrates legacy of beloved instructor through endowment

Bryant G. “Don” Speed, D.M.D., a beloved instructor who taught in the UAB School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics, passed away in 2014.

UAB School of Dentistry Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Bruce Young

A self-confessed continuing-education junkie, Young says it’s an exciting time to be a dentist

Joy White Fund Lifts Student Burdens

The Covid-19 pandemic hit home for several UAB School of Dentistry students the past couple of years. One student was greatly impacted when her father passed due to COVID and her mother was also hospitalized for several weeks. Subsequently the family and the student suffered financially. The student, and others, who had financial hardships last year, were aided by the School of Dentistry Alumni Association’s Joy White Fund. All told, the association awarded $8,000 in emergency aid to four students.

Alumni Association presents Fuller Award to Dr. John Anderson

John P. Anderson, DMD of Rainsville, Ala was named the 2022 H. Moren Fuller Award winner by the University of Alabama School of Dentistry Alumni Association.

Alumni Association presents Fuller Award to Dr. John Anderson

John P. Anderson, DMD of Rainsville, Ala was named the 2022 H. Moren Fuller Award winner by the University of Alabama School of Dentistry Alumni Association.

Dr. Stephen Mitchell named next director of International Dentist Program at UAB School of Dentistry

Dean Russell S. Taichman has named Stephen (Steve) Mitchell, D.M.D., M.S., as codirector of the International Dentist Program (IDP) effective July 1, 2022. On December 1, 2022 he will take over the directorship. He will replace Dr. Sonya Mitchell, who intends to step down from the position in December.

Alumni Spotlight: Buckley enjoys serving hometown patients

Graduates from the UAB School of Dentistry can guarantee they will leave with an excellent dental school education and clinical experience. Many will also take with them life-long friendships with classmates and faculty members, and fond memories of living in Birmingham. But every so often, students also leave with something (or, better yet, someone) even more special.

UAB School of Dentistry celebrates graduates, recognizes student accomplishments during 2022 commencement ceremony

UAB School of Dentistry honored more than 75 Doctor of Dental Medicine graduates at its commencement ceremony for the class of 2022. Dean Russell S. Taichman, D.M.D., D.M.Sc., presided over the June 4 event at UAB’s Bartow Arena.

Dentistry at Two Hundred Miles Per Hour

One of South Florida’s favorite and fastest sports is Jai-Alai. The ball used in Jai-Alai is called a pelota and it travels at nearly 200 miles per hour. The two contestants bounce the smaller than a baseball pelota off walls with a curbed wicker scoop to score points. The game is fast, furious, and hard to keep up with. The same can be said for Dr. Anissa Broussard Holmes (‘99), who now makes her home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Alumni Spotlight: Miller takes leap of faith to open ‘hometown practice’

Growing up in Montgomery, Ala., Dr. Keri Miller’s childhood interests looked a bit different from what you might expect of an aspiring dentist. Instead of focusing on science and healthcare, Dr. Miller spent her childhood engrossed in the fine arts.

Shaffer embarked on a Navy adventure after graduating from UAB School of Dentistry

It was supposed to be just a quick bite of lunch. Instead, it turned into a chance meeting that propelled second-year UAB School of Dentistry student Gayle Shaffer down the path toward becoming Rear Admiral Gayle Shaffer, Deputy Surgeon General in the United States Navy.

Stories About Scotty: Two alumni share their stories

I was recently reminded of the presence Dr. Charles A. “Scotty” McCallum, Jr. commanded during Alumni Weekend. Just his presence was a reassurance that we were doing well and our dental school is the best.

Alumni Spotlight: Making History at the School of Dentistry – Dr. Karen Clements-Crunk

In 1965, Karen Fox walked into her first day of classes at the University Of Alabama School Of Dentistry in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the only woman in the room. In fact, she was the only woman in her entire class of 52 students.

Taking Care of Business: A message from the Alumni Association Executive Director

Scott Huffman reflects on his time with UAB and relationships like the one with Oral Arts.