Resurrection:  In Memory of Susannah Richard

Three beautiful stained art glass windows have recently been installed on the far east end of the fourth-floor breezeway in memory of Susannah Stacey Richard. Susannah, LSUSD art director from 2007 to 2015, passed away last year at the age of 52 after a decades-long battle with cancer. Entitled "Resurrection", the windows were commissioned by Susannah's family.

Louisiana artist Stephen Wilson created the windows in cooperation with Susannah's mother Janice Evans, Dean Henry Gremillion, and Joanne Courville. The piece is an analogy of two tales. First and foremost, the windows represent Susannah's battle with cancer for over two decades and how she overcame the challenges associated with disease. It also depicts the devastation and subsequent rebuilding of the city and the school following Hurricane Katrina. Susannah was hired shortly after Katrina flooded the school and served alongside faculty and staff in the arduous rebuilding process.

Family members (l-r) Scott and Ross Richard, Kerin Richard Spears, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Richard, Kristi Richard-Peek, Janice and Robert Evans

This spring Susannah's family and friends gathered to dedicate the windows and remember her life. Mrs. Evans gave a moving tribute to her daughter and Mr. Wilson discussed the windows from his artist's perspective.

Celebrating our Residents

On June 19, the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry presented certificates to 39 residents, interns, and fellows in celebration of the completion of their specialty training.

Dr. John N. Kent, LSUHSC Boyd professor and professor emeritus, was the keynote speaker. His address focused on the importance of lifelong learning and balancing one's career with family, friends, and personal interests.

Dr. Kent served as head of the LSUSD Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department and as chief of OMS at Charity Hospital from 1973-2002. Among the areas in which he is an authority are orthognathic surgery, facial deformities and reconstructive surgery, and dental and facial implants.

(l-r) Drs. Mark Welch, OMS program director; John Kent; Eric Hovland, director of advanced education

Following the awarding of the certificates, Dr. Tom Wen, from the Center of Excellence in Oral Biology, announced the winner of the Dr. Robert B. Brannon Research Award. The award recognizes the superior research project among those presented by residents at Research Day on May 1. Boris Stein, DMD, periodontics, won the award for his master's project, "Effect of Cigarette Smoke Extract (CSE) on Osteoblast Attachment to Implant Surfaces." Theodora Kompotiati, DDS, also in periodontics, placed second, and Cara Wiewiora, DMD, orthodontics, placed third.

Graduates in endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics also received a master's of dental sciences. Last year, master's degrees were awarded to LSUSD residents for the first time since 2006.