Submit evaluations for dean of Dentistry candidates

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The public presentations are complete and feedback for the four candidates for dean of the School of Dentistry is being accepted. Read about them here or review their CVs online and complete the evaluation forms at uab.edu/humanresources/executivesearch.

A national search began this summer after then Dean Michael Reddy, DMD, announced he would leave UAB Aug. 1 to accept another position. Michelle Robinson, DMD, associate professor and associate dean for Health Information and Business Systems in the School of Dentistry, has been the interim dean since May 1

Manski INSIDERichard ManskiThe dean of the School of Dentistry provides strategic oversight and expertise for all aspects of the school, leads its strategic planning, growth and development, expands and enhances its research programs and clinical enterprise and builds close, cooperative relationships with other units on campus and cultivates a strong network of community alliances network to shape the future of the school across its missions. Review the position criteria, candidate CVs, view recorded presentations, provide feedback and learn more about the search process on UAB's executive search website.

Richard J. Manski, D.D.S., Ph.D., was the fourth candidate for the position of dean of the School of Dentistry to interview; he made his public presentation Oct. 18. Submit an evaluation online. 

Manski, a professor and chair of Dental Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, manages and provides oversight for a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary and international team of researchers who study the effects on dental use patterns associated with changes in dental coverage and changes in retirement status among older Americans.

Manski is a senior scholar at the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality within the Department of Health and Human Services. He also is responsible for museum operations as the executive director of the Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, a Smithsonian Affiliate organization, which has one of the most comprehensive dental collections in the world.

He is a member of professional associations, including American Dental Association and American Dental Education Association and he is as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Community College of Baltimore County.

Manski earned his dentistry degree from Howard University and his doctorate in Public Policy from the University of Maryland.

Trotman INSIDECarroll-Ann Trotman

Carroll-Ann Trotman, BDS, was the first candidate interviewed; she presented Oct. 8. Submit an evaluation online.

Trotman, who earned her dental degree from University of Dundee Dental School in Dundee, Scotland, and graduate degrees from Columbia University and The University of Michigan in oral biology and clinical research design and statistical analysis, respectively, is chair of the department of Orthodontics and associate dean for faculty development for the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

Trotman is a past fellow of the American Council on Education and the American Dental Education Leadership Institute and a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. She maintains an active research program funded by NIDCR with a focus on treatment outcomes in craniofacial anomalies and facial disabilities. 

Russell S. Taichman DMD, DMSc, was the second candidate to interview; his public presentation was Oct. 10. Submit an evaluation online.

Taichman INSIDERussell S. Taichman

Taichman, who earned his DMD from the University of Pennsylvania and a DMSc and a certificate in periodontology from Harvard, is the Major Ash Collegiate Professor in the University of Michigan School of Dentistry Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine and its associate dean for Research.

For nearly 10 years during his tenure at Michigan he developed and directed the Scholars Program in Dental Leadership — the nation’s first program focused on the leadership development of dental and dental hygiene students. 

His research interests are focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms that regulate the functions of bone marrow in health and disease states, and current studies are examining ways in which marrow regulates the activities of cancer stem cells. 

Taichman is a member of numerous professional associations, including American Association of Dental Research, American Dental Association and American Dental Education Association, and he has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications in the fields of bone biology, hematology and academic leadership. 

Geurs INSIDENicolaas Geurs

Nicolaas C. Geurs, DDS, professor and chair of UAB’s Department of Periodontology was the third candidate to interview, and his public presentation was Oct. 12. Submit an evaluation online.

Geurs, who earned his DDS from A.C.T.A., Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, completed his advanced training in periodontology and his master’s in clinical dentistry at UAB.

He is the first holder of the Weatherford-Palcanis Endowed Professorship in Dentistry and chair of the UAB School of Dentistry Department of Periodontology for which he was director of the periodontology curriculum for five years and director of the advanced training program in periodontology for 10 years. 

His research interests include periodontitis and systemic health, regeneration, implant site development and dental implantology. He has published extensively on his own research and advances in clinical practice. 

Geurs is a member of numerous professional associations, including American Association of Dental Research, American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology and American Dental Education Association.  He also is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.