Congratulations, Dr. Mascarenhas!
Dr. Ana Karina Mascarenhas has been promoted from Associate Professor to Professor of the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research. Dr. Mascarenhas is also the Director of the Division of Dental Public Health and Director of the Dental Public Health Program.
Dr. Mascarenhas was recruited by Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Raul Garcia in 2001. She was drawn to BUGSDM because of its innovative programs and the dynamic leadership of the late Dean Spencer Frankl.
"Dean Frankl stood out for his support of women faculty members in a time when dentistry was more of a male-dominated profession," said Dr. Mascarenhas. "He had the skills to get the best out of everyone and he made you feel like your success was his success."
Dr. Mascarenhas will continue to be involved in innovative programs at BUGSDM and hopes to take a more active role in the larger university. An upcoming focus will be to recruit more dental students from New England. In 2005, approximately 236 individuals from New England applied to dental school, but less than 50% were accepted. New England applicants make up a very small portion of the applicant pool and Dr. Mascarenhas believes that there would be higher rate of dental graduates who serve the rural and underserved New England populations if more students were originally from these areas. She feels that one of the best ways to achieve this goal is by working with young people in the community to promote the dental profession, particularly while they are still in high school.
"I have worked with Dr. Mascarenhas for seven years," said Dr. Garcia. "Over that time, I have seen her grow professionally and achieve national and international recognition for her many accomplishments. I am confident she will continue to bring honor to BUGSDM in her new role."