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Dean’s High Five — Spring 2025
Tuesday June 17, 2025
Every day, special achievements and newsworthy headlines are happening at the School of Dentistry. In an effort to give proper acknowledgment and share these successes, please tune in for the monthly Dean’s High 5 as we acknowledge those responsible for the top five stories happening at Detroit Mercy Dental.
**These stories are mission and identity moments that highlight activities that reflect our Jesuit and Mercy values.
If you have news to share, click here to submit your story for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Dean’s High Five!Class of 2025: Detroit Mercy Dental’s Next Generation of Leaders
Class of 2025
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our graduating dental and dental hygiene students, who have reached this significant milestone through years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. As they crossed the stage and stepped into their professional careers, we recognize not only their academic and clinical accomplishments but also the compassion, leadership, and integrity they’ve demonstrated throughout their journey. We could not be more proud to welcome them into the profession as colleagues and ambassadors of Detroit Mercy Dental. Click to view photos from 2025 Commencement.
Wieczerza Wins FIRST Place at MDA Annual Session Poster Competition
Dr. Cassandra Wieczerza at MDA Poster Session
Detroit Mercy Dental is proud to celebrate the achievement of Endodontic resident, Dr. Cassandra Wieczerza ‘25, at the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Annual Session. Wieczerza earned first place for her outstanding research presentation titled “Antibacterial Effect of Cannabinoids on Bacteria Associated with Persistent Endodontic Infections.” Her work explores the potential of cannabinoids as an innovative approach to addressing challenging endodontic infections, offering promising implications for the future of dental treatment.
Sanchez Receives Pierre Fauchard Academy Award
Dr. Eliana Sanchez pictured with Dr. Bill Berkowski
Dr. Eliana Sanchez received the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Michigan Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy in recognition of her excellence in dental education, mentorship, and commitment to student success at Detroit Mercy Dental.
Detroit Mercy Dental Receives Grant from Northeast Delta Dental
Northeast Delta Dental
The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation has awarded a $2 million grant to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit Mercy Dental Vermont to help transform access to care and dental education.
The grant supports a collaborative partnership between Detroit Mercy Dental Vermont and the Vermont State Dental Society aimed at training the next generation of dental professionals and expanding oral healthcare in underserved Vermont communities. Click to view thank you video
Thomson Represents Detroit Mercy Dental at Research Day Keynote
Dr. Josh Thomson
Dr. Josh Thomson, associate professor and interim director of research administration, served as the keynote speaker at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine’s 2025 Research Day, where he highlighted innovation, evidence-based practice, and inter-institutional collaboration in dental research.
AEGD Team Wins Third Place at MDA Annual Session Poster Competition
AEGD Team at MDA Poster Session
The Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program proudly earned 3rd place at the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Annual Session for their project titled “Leveraging AI to Revolutionize Dental Patient Education.” Presented by Drs. Harleen Bamrah ‘25, Kyle Borton ‘25, Tatianna McKissick ‘25 and Christina Van Damn, the project highlights the use of artificial intelligence to enhance patient understanding and engagement in dental care. Their forward-thinking approach integrates cutting-edge technology to improve patient communication, fostering more informed and confident decision-making and ultimately advancing dental outcomes.
Mortiere Selected as Recipient of MDA Award
Dr. Mark Mortiere
Dr. Mark Mortiere has been selected by the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Board of Trustees as the recipient of the 2025 Dental Faculty Award. The purpose of the award is to give public recognition to two dentist members actively involved in the education of dental or graduate dental students from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to organized dentistry.
Detroit Mercy Dental Team Featured on Cover of Clinical Advances in Periodontics
Clinical Advances in Periodontics
The article, “Digitally Guided Root Removal and Simultaneous Implant Placement: A Case Study,” authored by Drs. Roksolana Gala, Mohammed Al Sammarraie, Rocio Sanchez Padilla, Zheng Zhou, Anthony L. Neely, Bassm M. Kinaia showcases a cutting-edge clinical approach and highlights the team’s commitment to advancing periodontal care through innovation and technology. This case study appears in the March 2025 issue of Clinical Advances in Periodontics and is prominently featured on the journal’s cover.Click to view article
Michigan Academy of General Dentistry Invests in UDM Students
MAGD
he Michigan Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD) recently established an endowed award for a graduating dental student, helping to ease the financial transition from student to professional and honoring the hard work and dedication of our future dentists. This meaningful contribution reflects MAGD’s unwavering commitment to mentorship, education, and the advancement of general dentistry. By investing in our students, they are not only supporting individual success but also strengthening the future of oral health care. Thank you, MAGD, for championing the next generation of dental professionals and helping make their futures a little brighter.
Oska Honored with 2025 Vivere ex Missione Award
Presented annually to one graduating student from each Detroit Mercy school, this prestigious honor recognizes individuals who best embody the mission of the university and demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence, service, and leadership. Dr. Judy Oska’s ‘25 selection as the School of Dentistry’s honoree reflects her deep dedication to compassionate care, academic achievement, and her unwavering commitment to serving others. Her journey through dental education has been marked by integrity, excellence, and a true embodiment of the University’s Jesuit and Mercy values.
**These stories are mission and identity moments that highlight activities that reflect our Jesuit and Mercy values.
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Invitation to Participate in a Survey on Ergonomics and Wellness in Dental Practice
Wednesday June 04, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Ahmed Radwan, and I serve as the Dean of the College of Health Professions and McAuley School of Nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy. Together with my research team, I am conducting a study on the ergonomic and wellness practices currently being implemented in dental settings.
We would like to invite you to participate in our survey, “Ergonomics, Physical Activity, and Wellness Survey for Dental Professionals (EPAWS-DP)”. Your experience as a dental professional is vital to understanding how these strategies are being applied in practice and their impact on overall well-being within the dental community.
To be eligible, participants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Work as a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant
- Be employed at least 35 hours per week in a dental practice
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. It includes questions about:
- Your use of ergonomic strategies in the workplace
- Your physical activity levels
- Your current wellness practices
All responses are anonymous and will be reported only in aggregate form. We encourage you to share this invitation with other eligible colleagues in your practice.
To participate, please click the following link: Click this link for the Survey.
Thank you for your time and for helping us support the health and well-being of dental professionals across Michigan.
Sincerely,
AhmedAhmed Radwan, PhD, DPT, CPE, MBA
Dean of the College of Health Professions and McAuley School of Nursing
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221-3038
T: 313.993.2454
aradwan1@udmercy.edu -
Detroit Mercy Dental wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!
Friday December 20, 2024The School of Dentistry will close at the end of normal business hours on Dec. 20 in observance of Christmas and the holiday season.
Normal business operations resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. McNichols Campus and School of Law classes resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
The Corktown Campus will adhere to the following hours during the Christmas and holiday break:
- Friday, December 20—closed at 8 p.m.
- Dec. 21-25: Closed and no access available.
- Dec. 26-27: Access limited to faculty/staff with approval from dean’s office.
- Dec. 28-Jan. 1, 2025: Closed and no access available.
- Jan. 2-3, 2025: Access limited to faculty/staff with approval from dean’s office.
- Jan. 4-5, 2025: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For those who are interested in making an end-of-the-year donation to Detroit Mercy, please visit https://dental.udmercy.edu/give.php
We hope everyone has a safe and joyous Christmas and holiday season!
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Happy Thanksgiving from UDM Dental
Tuesday November 26, 2024
The University of Detroit Mercy’s Corktown Campus will close for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 28, and open for regular business at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2
Have a safe and joy-filled Thanksgiving! -
Vermont State Dental Society, UDM partner to bring dental health education center to Vermont
Friday September 20, 2024
The Vermont State Dental Society (VSDS), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Peter Welch are partnering to bring an innovative Dental Oral Health Education Center to Vermont in fall 2027. This new dental clinic and education program would bring UDM students to Vermont to complete their final years of training – strengthening the dental care provider pipeline and expanding access to much-needed care across the state.
At a press conference on Sept. 20, VSDS, UDM, Sanders and Welch celebrated the program receiving its accreditation from the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) – an essential step in establishing the teaching program in Vermont.
Dean Aksu at Vermont State Dental Society press conference
Sanders and Welch are working to secure $4.6 million in federal funding through the FY25 Congressionally Directed Spending process to support this historic initiative. The funding was recently approved by the Appropriations Committee and needs to be passed by the House and the Senate before being signed into law by President Joe Biden.
“By partnering with University of Detroit Mercy, we are opening doors to educational opportunities that haven’t existed before in Vermont, and increasing access to oral healthcare for Vermonters as well,” said Justin Hurlburt, board president of the Vermont State Dental Society. “We are excited to partner with Detroit Mercy on this opportunity to expand the dentistry workforce in the state,” he added.
“University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry has a long tradition of graduating practice-ready clinicians and it is an honor to help bring the Detroit Mercy DDS program to the Green Mountain State,” said Mert N. Aksu, dean of Detroit Mercy Dental. “UDM recognizes the need for dentists in Vermont, and looks forward to providing a program to educate and graduate dentists in the state.”
“The suffering that the dental care crisis causes Vermonters and people across this country too often goes unseen and unaddressed,” said Sen. Sanders. “Far too many, especially in rural areas like Vermont, do not have access to a dentist, which forces them to either travel long distances or go without the care they need. In some Vermont counties, there is a year-long waitlist. In others, there are no dentists at all who treat kids with Medicaid. And because we don’t have a dental school in the state, there’s no natural pipeline for dentists to train and eventually work in our communities. It is time for that to change. This historic initiative brings me a lot of hope for the care and education opportunities we can deliver to Vermont. I am proud to partner with the Vermont Dental Society, University of Detroit Mercy, and Senator Welch to make this a reality. Let’s get it done.”
“This accreditation is an important step forward in the process to expand access to dentists here in Vermont, so every patient can get the care they need. I look forward to working with Senator Sanders on this important issue, and will continue to advocate for more federal funding to support workforce development in dentistry and health care across our state,” said Sen. Welch.
University of Detroit Mercy-Vermont will increase oral health education opportunities and address the statewide dental provider shortage. The tentative location for the new center will be in Chittenden County.
VSDS, a nonprofit professional healthcare organization whose mission is to improve the oral health of Vermonters and to serve the profession of dentistry in the state, is pioneering the new institution with UDM as it brings more than 90 years of experience in educating dentists worldwide.
Beginning in the fall of 2025, the partnership between VSDS and UDM will include two years of foundational and preclinical education at the UDM School of Dentistry Campus in Detroit, followed by two years of clinical and didactic education at a new dental clinic based in Colchester. The University of Detroit Mercy-Vermont dental program will offer DDS dental education in the state of Vermont, accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA).
University of Detroit Mercy-Vermont will house modern classrooms with on-site clinics to support its clinical education program and serve as a public health Medicaid clinic to provide dental care to qualifying individuals. Extending its reach beyond its Colchester facility, the new dental program will partner with clinical organizations in Vermont to reach areas with a shortage of dental health professionals and underserved populations.
Jeanette Andrade ’25 wants to help people. It’s what she envisions doing with her Dental Hygiene degree from Detroit Mercy’s School of Dentistry. But before helping others and finishing her degree, Andrade needed to pause her studies so she could take care of herself.
The 'Opportunity College and University' designation highlights UDM as a model institution for fostering student success and advancing research on effective campus practices.
February is Black History Month, and University of Detroit Mercy will celebrate with a series of enlightening events across all campuses.
This new dental clinic and education program would bring UDM students to Vermont to complete their final years of training – strengthening the dental care provider pipeline and expanding access to much-needed care across the state.
The 2025 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranking has put UDM at No. 43 in the nation, nine places higher than it ranked the University last year.
The world welcomed new Titans with more than 1,000 University of Detroit Mercy graduates receiving their diplomas across four Commencement ceremonies May 10-11 on the McNichols Campus.
Meet the Class of '24: Dental grad Maria Latorre Sanchez says “It’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how fast you get up.”
University of Detroit Mercy has recently received more than $2 million in grants to help educate students and their work in the community.
Detroit Mercy was ranked No. 52 nationally and second in Michigan, according to results released Sept. 6 by WSJ/College Pulse. UDM was the third-highest ranked Jesuit university and only Mercy institution ranked.
Recently, an international team of researchers led by Eric Krukonis of the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry revealed for the first time the atomic structure of ToxR, a protein bound to the DNA of two promoters of the genes that control the virulence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera.
Each year, Detroit Mercy honors an alumnus from each of its seven schools or colleges for the way they have excelled in their professions and demonstrated leadership and service to the larger community.
As many of you know, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action on June 29, 2023, will have a significant impact on institutions of higher education throughout our country. We pray for all of our friends and member institutions who will experience an array of challenges due to this decision, but most importantly for all students who will be directly affected by the court’s actions.
More than 1,000 graduates participated in four ceremonies during 2023 Commencement at University of Detroit Mercy on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13.
The Vivere ex Missione awards are presented annually to four graduating students whose time at University of Detroit Mercy was marked by leadership, service and scholarship.
As a child, Trey Hester was bullied for having a misalignment with his teeth. His own dental work to fix it sparked his interest in dentistry, and the UDM School of Dentistry graduate pays it forward today.