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Live from Shreveport:
New Era in Continuing Education

For the first time in the 40-year history of continuing education at LSUSD, a course was transmitted live and electronically from Shreveport to New Orleans. The history-making class originated from a classroom on the campus of LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and was sent electronically to Auditorium B in New Orleans. That auditorium has just gone through a $1.6 million renovation and now features the very latest in communication technology.

Dr. Henry Gremillion was instructor of the course entitled, “The Many Faces of Orofacial Pain.”

“Distance learning opens up a whole new way to educate the nearly 3,000 practicing dentists around the state,” said Dr. Gremillion. “By breaking through geographic barriers, we can now offer scheduling flexibility.”

Course attendees view the presentation in Shreveport from the LSUSD auditorium in New Orleans.

In 2010, more history will be made when courses are held in seven Louisiana cities: Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport. Between 53 and 60 courses will be presented. Of this total, there will be three courses in Shreveport, a series of courses for general dentists in Baton Rouge, and a radiology course in New Orleans and Baton Rouge for dental assistants. Plans are in development for a two-day forensics course in New Orleans. Thirteen EDDA courses will be offered, including six in New Orleans, four in Baton Rouge and three in Lafayette.

Like traditional learning, the new method allows for student-teacher interaction and provides students with timely feedback.

Since the LSUSD continuing education program was started in 1969, more than 50,000 have attended about 1,000 classes. The CE infrastructure at the dental school includes a “hands on” bench-top simulation lab that accommodates 30 participants.

“Being a dentist means a lifelong commitment to top-quality patient care,” said Dr. Gremillion. “That means a lifelong commitment to learning.”

Students Give Thanks

Forty-three student volunteers recruited by dental student leader Angelle Trahan (2010) sent out more than 600 holiday thank-you notes to alumni and friends who recently contributed donations to the dental school. “Giving is a selfless act that contributes to the greater good…and thanking those who give is equally important,” said Joanne Courville, director of alumni affairs. “I think the students felt that they were part of a team and the gesture also helped them to understand the importance of giving back.”

Angelle Trahan, at work addressing envelopes, recruited 43 volunteer students.

The event is called a "thank-a-thon" and is held each year just before the Thanksgiving holidays.  

Angelle Trahan said she had no difficulty recruiting volunteers. “Once I explained, they were happy to help.” Angelle is secretary of the Student Government Association.

From left, Jonathan Glass, Matt Ganey and Tad Beene

Several of the students also signed up for an ongoing committee to thank donors. Private gifts allow the school to improve its facilities, fund important student activities and enhance the educational programs at LSUSD.

From left, Brandon Mack, Nicole Russo and Tony Hammack

From left, Sarah Raymond and Lindsey Searcy

Alumni Celebrate Going Forward

The breezeway was packed and the big auditorium was full as an excited crowd estimated at 350 converged on the LSU School of Dentistry for a full day of Alumni Day activities. These included continuing education courses provided pro bono by The Dawson Academy and the dedication of a $3.2 million renovation to Auditoriums A and B.

History was made when the school's first-ever Distinguished Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Shawky Mohamed, beloved teacher for the past 31 years in the Department of Prosthodontics.

In honor of decades of loyal support, the Outstanding Alumna of the Year award was given to Dr. Virginia Angelico-Tatum ('79).

"Our message to the world is that we are going forward," Dean Henry Gremillion ('77) told the crowd at the auditorium dedication. "Today we can feel the energy of getting things done."

The auditoriums are used daily as classrooms incorporate the latest in technology. Starting in 2010, the rooms will also be used for continuing education courses, with the capacity to link to locations in other Louisiana cities. Since 1969, more than 900 LSUSD continuing education courses have attracted more than 50,000 attendees.

The completed auditoriums are the first step in a multi-year rebuilding of the dental school. Dr. Gremillion, who became dean just one year ago, shared plans for the total renovation of the wet labs and preclinical labs. "We have to face the reality that most of the teaching labs and classrooms have not been renovated since the 1970 and are outdated. Going forward means upgrading our infrastructure."

If humor is the best medicine, then it could be said that the live auction conducted by fourth-year students Ben Foster and Chris Feldman was balm for the soul. The two had the audience laughing non-stop while successfully raising $6,000 to benefit the LSUSD Alumni Association.

Retirement of Dr. Shawky Mohamed

Shawky E. Mohamed, BDS, DDS, M.S., M.Ed.
The Brasseler USA Professor of Prosthodontics
Director of the TMJ Clinic

The standing-room-only crowd was full of happy anticipation on the afternoon of September 25th. The occasion was the retirement party of Dr. Shawky Mohamed. When he stepped into the breezeway, the large group parted in the middle "like the opening of the Red Sea," said Dr. Henry Gremillion. Everyone laughed. Everyone needed a way to begin to express their fond feelings for a remarkable educator who for 30 years gave so much to the LSU School of Dentistry that he came to define the school.

Dr. Mohamed is a native of Cairo, Egypt, where he began his stellar academic career. In 1961, he received a bachelor of dental surgery with honors from the University of Cairo. He then came to America to attend the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he received a certificate and master's degree in fixed prosthodontics. He continued his studies at the University of Iowa where he received his DDS in 1970. He came to LSUSD in 1979 with an appointment in the Department of Prosthodontics as associate professor. Three years later he was appointed full professor. In 2001, he was given the high honor of being named the Brasseler USA Professor of Prosthodontics.

Since coming to LSUSD, "Dr. Mohamed has enriched the professional lives of over 4,000 students who have learned to respect and love him," said Dr. Arturo Mendez, chairman of the Department of Prosthodontics. "I have never met a teacher more dedicated and enthusiastic, with such a strong passion for dentistry and dental education."

That opinion is echoed in his current students. "It was an honor to be taught by such a knowledgeable teacher," said fourth-year student Morgan Trahant. "His charisma in the classroom was unique. He took the time to explain tough material, go over details when we were confused, and he truly cared about our well being." "Dr. Mo" touched the lives of the students in personal ways: making sure he knew their names at the beginning of the semester, using his personal funds to buy coffee for the students during finals and driving hours to attend the funeral of a student's mother.

"When I've attended different dental conferences around the nation, I have been amazed to learn how many people knew of Dr. Mohamed and could tell you stories of how he touched their lives," Trahant continued.

"Dr. Mohamed embodies all of the characteristics that are associated with a true educator," said Dr. Gremillion. "His dedication and loyalty to LSUSD have left an indelible mark on the school and an imprint of quality care and caring on the hearts of all with whom he interacted. His spirit will forever be a part of the fabric of the School of Dentistry."

Taken together, these words paint the vivid portrait of a one-of-a kind teacher. This is why it is our great honor today to present Dr. Shawky Mohamed with the first-ever Distinguished Faculty Award.

2009 Alumna of the Year: Virginia
Angelico-Tatum, DDS

Work hard. Get an education. Make the world better by giving of yourself. Do this, day in and day out, not just sometimes. What matters is loyalty to what you hold dear.

Many would call these the core values of dentistry. Historians cite these principles as the basis for the "great American dream."

They are indeed the guiding principles of the life of Dr. Virginia Angelico-Tatum, her love of dentistry and her consistent support for the LSU School of Dentistry.

The school was just ten years old when Dr. Angelico received her DDS in 1978. Nothing in life is guaranteed and that was certainly true for females entering the emerging field of dentistry 31 years ago. And, there she was on graduation day, already more than $150,000 in debt.

So, she followed the example she saw in her Italian grandparents who landed in America at Ellis Island in New York at the turn of the century. Facing fear with hard work, they opened a grocery store in downtown New Orleans at the corner of Gravier and Bolivar Streets. For more than 40 years, and in halting English, they found ways to quietly serve the needs of others by pumping kerosene, cutting meat and making sandwiches for the workers nearby. No fanfare. Just long hours, day after day, as down payment on a better tomorrow. In a full-circle tribute to Virginia's life, that grocery store was located on land that is now part of the campus of the LSU Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), the university that played such a big part in shaping her life.

Dr. Angelico has spent enormous personal time as a leader of the LSUSD Alumni Association. She has attended countless functions of the boards of directors of both the LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation and the LSUSD Alumni Association.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she was one of the first to call with an offer of help. Over the years, she has graciously hosted events, spearheaded fundraisers and made phone calls...whatever it takes to make the world better through the profession of dentistry.

She was one of the first contributors to the LSUSD Committee of 100 which provides much needed support for faculty and student development programs, as well as facility renovations and other important endeavors. Although she fulfilled her $10,000 pledge years ago, she continues to contribute generously each year.

She is also active in the New Orleans Dental Association and the New Orleans Dental Conference. Normalee Ward, who is the right-hand person to the chairman of the New Orleans Dental Conference, has known Dr. Angelico for 26 years. "Virginia is always at my beck and call throughout the conference. From the day it opens to the day it closes, she makes herself available. She is a great lady. I couldn't think of anyone more deserving of this honor."

"Always there" is how people who know Dr. Angelico describe her. That is certainly true of the wonderful 31-year relationship with the dental school and why the Board of Directors has chosen her as the 2009 Alumnus of the Year. What matters is loyalty to what we hold dear.

Invigorated

The beginning of each school year means the chance to start fresh, to become new again. It's invigorating to watch the influx of new students, to see the joy of reunion and to feel the promise of going forward. This sense of potential is everywhere at the LSU School of Dentistry, fueled by the vision of the new dean, Dr. Henry Gremillion.

Rooms for Learning

The two smaller teaching auditoriums have been totally renovated. The dedication will take place today. The rooms—used daily as classrooms—were gutted and rebuilt with state funds at a cost of $3.2 million. The Alumni Day courses, as well as a full complement of future continuing education classes, will be staged in these rooms.

This major renovation means that students are taught in an environment that weaves together the best in educational concepts and the latest in technology. When the technology is fully implemented, students, faculty and researchers can be linked in ways that were unimaginable when the school was built in 1972.

These upgrades represent the first chapter in the book of major improvements planned by Dr. Gremillion, who has been dean since October, 2008.

"Now we have to face the reality that so much of the school's infrastructure is outdated and needs to be upgraded," said Dr. Gremillion. "Most of the teaching labs and classrooms have not been renovated since the 1970s, when I was a student here. The condition of some areas affects everyone in the dental community, from first-year students to faculty and practicing clinicians. A quick tour of the labs will convince anyone that major improvements have to be done."

The cost to renovate the preclinical and wet labs is currently estimated at $3.5 million. Because of ongoing budget cutbacks by the State of Louisiana, funding will have to come from private sources and grants.

Plans for New Building

As widely reported, the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina destroyed the electrical and mechanical systems of the dental school, plus everything located on the first floors of the administration and clinical buildings. Plans to construct a new building are nearly finalized, with a possible completion date in 2012. The building will be located east of the clinic building.

The ground level of the building will offer patients protection from the weather and provide parking. The other two floors are dedicated to faculty practice, clinical research and animal care, as well as facilities for housing the electrical and mechanical system. The majority of the cost will be borne by FEMA.

New Research Labs    

A combination of funding from FEMA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the State of Louisiana is responsible for an overhaul of the research infrastructure in the clinical building. The renovations cost more than $1 million and include the biomaterials research lab, four cold rooms, the core statistical office, major equipment upgrades and the research labs under the purview of the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Biology.

One of the purposes related to NIH funding is to mentor junior investigators. The goal is to accelerate promising oral health research into independently funded grants. The process of obtaining such funding is highly competitive.

Rebuilding of Faculty

Parallel to infrastructure is a bolstering of faculty in critical areas. Emblematic of universities in New Orleans, the dental school lost about a third of its faculty following Hurricane Katrina. In the past few months alone, five new faculty members have been hired. These include two department chairs, two clinical professors, two hygienists and a research scientist with more than $1 million in funding.

Keeping Abreast

Since 1972, LSUSD has graduated 4,405 dental health care providers, including Dr. Gremillion. "I know first-hand the proud history of LSUSD," said Dr. Gremillion. "So many of us have lived the good life because of the education we received. Now, when I walk around the campus, I see so much that has to be done in order to keep abreast of the innovations taking place in dentistry. It’s a huge challenge, but I know that by working together we can make the school better because so many of our alumni care."