GSDM Community Gets Involved at YDC
Yankee Dental Congress 35 (YDC) was held from January 27 to 31 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) representatives volunteered their expertise as lecturers, connected with participants on the exhibit floor, and generously donated their time in volunteer roles.
For the tenth year in a row Clinical Assistant Professors Dr. Neal Fleisher and Dr. Sheldon Itzkowitz offered a hands-on half day course twice during YDC. This course titled, "Diagnosis and Instrumentation of the Perio Patient," has sold out every year.
When asked why he feels it’s important to participate in YDC every year Dr. Fleisher said, "When I was first asked to give a lecture targeted to hygienists I didn’t realize there are more allied professionals attending Yankee than dentists. They need programs designed for them. Dr. Itzkowitz and I enjoy teaching and we like the challenge of modifying the course each year, to keep it current."
Dr. Fleisher continued, "The participants seem to enjoy the course and the positive feedback we received is an ample reward for the time and effort we devote to it."
A complete list of YDC speakers, including others from the GSDM community, is available here.
On the exhibit floor, Alumni Relations hosted a lounge where Director of Alumni Relations Stacey McNamee and Alumni Relations temporary staff member Christine Haigh welcomed visitors and treated them to breakfast and snacks. The bustling lounge served as a meeting point for GSDM alumni, faculty, staff, and students in attendance and such a great time was had by all visitors that many returned each of the three days that the exhibit floor was open. Also at the lounge, Dr. Paul Cohen, the 2009 recipient of the Madalyn L. Mann APEX Award for Teaching Excellence, was on hand to discuss APEX opportunities with alums.
The Dental Career Network (DCN) hosted a booth complete with a computer station and free giveaways. Faculty and staff members including Professor & Assistant Dean for Community Partnerships and Extramural Affairs Dr. Michelle Henshaw, Associate Director of Extramural Programs Meg Loadholt, Assistant Director of Extramural Programs Kathy Held, Program Coordinator Ana Zea, Administrative Coordinator Sharon Boyle, and Administrative Coordinator Caitlin Sullivan were on hand to answer questions, advise students on their job searches, and hand out complimentary job postings to potential employers.
The Division of Continuing Education (CE) also hosted a booth, where they featured a digital display and bright, inviting posters that highlighted their upcoming courses and events, including those from the 2010 Spring course offering. Program Coordinator Elizabeth Watts and CE temporary staff member Danielle Rutherford were on hand to answer questions and provide additional information to potential participants.
Several GSDM students volunteered at the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) HIV Dental Booth, where they handed out information about oral health and dental care for populations diagnosed with HIV and/or AIDS.
Photos from the lounge and booths are available on the GSDM flickr account and Facebook page.