Remembering Dr. Robert Barsley

We mourn the loss of our colleague Robert E. Barsley, Jr., DDS, JD, who passed away unexpectedly on September 28. A member of the LSUSD class of 1977 and professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Dr. Barsley joined the faculty in 1982. He also served as director of Oral Health Resources, Community and Hospital Dentistry.

In 1987 he earned a law degree from Loyola University in New Orleans and was admitted to the Louisiana bar that same year. A native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Dr. Barsley served as a magistrate judge for the Mayor's Court in that city from 2004-2012.

He was an internationally-known expert in the field of forensics, serving as consultant to numerous coroners' offices in southern Louisiana and on staff at the coroner's office in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. He participated in identification through dental remains of victims of Pan Am Flight 759, which crashed in Kenner in 1982. After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he worked to identify remains of storm victims through forensic methods. In 2012 he served as president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

In 1987 Dr. Barsley was appointed a Harry W. Bruce, Jr., Legislative Fellow for the Amerian Association of Dental Schools; in 1998 he served in the office of Louisiana Senator John Breaux as a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow.

Active in both NODA and LDA, Dr. Barsley was a past speaker of the LDA House of Delegates and LDA Secretary/Treasurer, and in 2016-2017 he served as LDA president. Among his other numerous offices was that of general chairman of the New Orleans Dental Conference. The recipient of many citations and awards for his dedication to his community and profession, in 2015 he was named LSUSD Alumnus of the Year and NODA Honor Dentist.

Dr. Barsley directed the first-year dental professional development course and co-directed the third-year course. A prolific writer, he published numerous articles and book chapters on various topics in forensic odontology. Dr. Barsley leaves behind his wife, Gwen, and daughter, Emily. His passing leaves a tremendous void, not only for his family but also for the dental school. Dr. Robert Barsley's warm and outgoing personality, intelligence, and unique talents will be missed by the LSUSD community.

Robert E. Barsley, Jr., DDS, JD

Drs. House and Marks Honored at Alumni Day

Alumni Day 2019 was held on September 20. The program theme, "Team Up for a Healthier Tomorrow", accentuated the role of Interprofessional Education in the training of dental health professionals and the relationship between oral care and systemic health.

Dr. Eddie Hebert, Alumni Association president, presented awards to two deserving alumni. Isaac (Ike) A. House, DDS, Alumnus of the Year, is a champion of education, research and patient care. A 1984 LSUSD graduate, he practiced dentistry in Haughton, Louisiana, for 35 years. During that time, he also spent 20 years on the surgical staff at Christus Schumpert Medical Center. Active in numerous dental associations, Dr. House was a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2009-2018 and president in 2017. In 2018 he became a fellow in the American College of Dentistry. A member of the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry, Dr. House also is an examiner for the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies.

Dean Gremillion and Dr. Eddie Hebert present Alumnus of the Year Award to Dr. Isaac House

Ronald B. Marks, DDS, Distinguished Alumnus Award, is a 1970 graduate of the Loyola School of Dentistry. He completed his OMFS residency at Charity Hospital in 1973. Board certified, Dr. Marks practiced in central Louisiana for 47 years and taught part-time in the OMFS residency program in Shreveport for over 30 years. He is a fellow of both the American and International colleges of dentists. Dr. Marks helped write three bills in the state legislature which aid patients and practitioners. Well-known for his service at all levels of professional dentistry, his contributions have been recognized through many awards.

Dr. Ronald Marks receives Distinguished Alumnus Award from Drs. Gremillion and Hebert