GSDM Prepares for Accreditation
GSDM is currently preparing for accreditation by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). As stated on the CODA website, their mission is to serve the public by establishing, maintaining, and applying standards that ensure the quality and continuous improvement of dental and dental-related education and reflect the evolving practice of dentistry. The Commission, established in 1975, is nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit dental and dental-related education programs conducted at the post-secondary level, as well as programs in dental assisting, dental hygiene and dental technology.
Institutions are evaluated by 6 standards: Institutional Effectiveness; Educational Program; Faculty and Staff; Educational Support Services; Patient Care Services; and Research Program.
For the past 24 months, the Core Accreditation Committee (CAC), chaired by Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives Dr. Paula K. Friedman has been working to prepare the Self Study Report and supporting appendices. Next Tuesday, September 20, and Wednesday, September 21, a “Mock” Site Visit will be conducted in preparation for the actual Site Visit, which will be held September 25-27, 2012.
The “Mock” Site Visiting Committee has been reviewing the report and appendices and will be interviewing the CAC as well as numerous members of the faculty, staff, and students about the School over the course of two very full days.
Members of the Mock Site Visiting Committee are:
Chair: Dean Cecile Feldman, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Basic Sciences: Dr. William Davenport, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Clinical Sciences: Dr. Ronald Attanasio, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Curriculum: Dr. Leslie Roeder, University of Texas- Dental Branch at Houston
National Licensure: Dr. Leonard Weiss, Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Finance: Mr. John Barch, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
“I am very pleased with the work that the CAC has done so far,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. He added, “I commend Dr. Friedman and the entire CAC for engaging in a ‘Mock’ Site Visit so that we are thoroughly prepared for a successful Site Visit in 2012.”
Members of the GSDM CAC are: Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter; Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Chair of CAC, Dr. Paula K. Friedman; Associate Dean for Clinical Services Dr. Stephen DuLong; Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Neal Fleisher; Associate Dean for Clinical Education Dr. John Guarente; Chair, Department of General Dentistry Dr. Judith Jones; Associate Dean for Research Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska; Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone; Executive Director of Finance and Operations Tim McDonough; Chair, Department of Restorative Sciences Dr. Dan Nathanson; Director of Division of Educational Resources Dr. Steve Polins; Associate Director, Faculty Services & Operations Richard Rabbett; Assistant Dean for Admissions Catherine Sarkis; Associate Professor Dr. Barbara Schreiber.