Contact Point Fall 2025

Upcoming Hands-on Workshops

Save Now with Early Bird Tuition for All Hands-on Programs

Oral Surgery for General Practitioners: A Guided Hands-on Workshop

Samuel Liu, DDS

Saturday, February 21 – Sunday, February 22, 2026

Enhancing Endodontics: Safer, Faster and More Predictable Techniques

Walid Nehme, DDS, MSc, PhD

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Microsurgical Endodontics: From Planning to Execution

Adham A. Azim, BDS, DDS

Saturday, March 7 – Monday, March 9, 2026

Ceramic Veneers from A to Z: Intensive Hands-on Workshop

Richard G. Stevenson III, DDS

Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3, 2026

Dues-paying alumni receive 15% off regular tuition; young alumni (2020-2025) receive 20% off most programs. Email us to receive your alumni discount code.

View all upcoming programs and register online: dental.pacific.edu/CDEclasses Division of Continuing Dental Education | cedental@pacific.edu | 415.929.6486

Dr. Elisa M. Chávez has been serving as interim dean of the dental school since July 1. Writer Jennifer Langham explores Chávez’s new role, her extensive contributions to the school and the process underway for selecting a permanent dean of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

CLINICAL EXPANSION

Learn about the dental school’s new Multidisciplinary Advanced Care Clinics and Ambulatory Surgery Center being built on the San Francisco campus. Leaders share the goals and plans for this project along with the impact this innovative facility will have on education and patient care.

HUMANISM IN ACTION

Joanne Fox recently retired as director of the Alumni Association after a remarkable 43-year career. Discover how she made a lasting impact on the Alumni Association and the culture of the dental school community.

Wesley E. Wong ’98

LaRocca ’06 DH (415) 929-6423 klarocca@pacific.edu

John Kim ’04

18

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CONTACT POINT

San Francisco, California

Vol. 105 Number 2 2025 dental.pacific.edu

Elisa M. Chávez, DDS | Interim Dean

INTERIM DEAN

Elisa M. Chávez

EDITOR

Kara A. Sanchez

EDITORIAL BOARD

David W. Chambers

Elisa M. Chávez

Eric Dumbleton

Joanne Fox

Eddie K. Hayashida

Cindy Lyon

Kara A. Sanchez

Dan Soine

Craig S. Yarborough

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christina Boufis

Jennifer Langham

Kirsten Mickelwait

Ashley Musick

Dan Soine

ART DIRECTION / DESIGN

Angelique Bannag

Brian Blanchard

Benjamin Levy

Margaret Wylie

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jon Draper

Eduardo Soler

Chris Woodrow

Guest contributors as credited

ADVERTISING

Angelique Bannag

Contact Point is published biannually by the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Eighteen-time winner of the International College of Dentists Journalism Competition and winner of the Gies Award for editorial content. Readership consists of 10,000 alumni, parents, friends, faculty, students and members of the professional community. Material included herein does not necessarily represent the official position of the school. All inquiries regarding advertising should be directed to Design and Photo Services, University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, 155 Fifth St., San Francisco, CA 94103 or contact Angelique Bannag at abannag@pacific. edu. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission

Stepping into the role of interim dean for the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is both a privilege and a responsibility that I have embraced wholeheartedly. How could I not? I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside many of you throughout my 25 years at the Dugoni School—colleagues, mentors and friends of this remarkable institution—and in recent months I’ve also had the opportunity to meet many more of the faculty, staff and alumni that make the Dugoni School special. As we move forward together, I am committed to sustaining our legacy of excellence in dental education, clinical care, research and community service while exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation.

This issue of Contact Point highlights a significant development that will take us into the future—the planning of the state-of-the-art Multidisciplinary Advanced Care Clinics and Ambulatory Surgery Center. These facilities will be located on the first floor of our San Francisco campus and will be developed with support from an initial $5 million grant from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority. Our goal is to expand access to compassionate, high-quality dental care for individuals with intellectual, developmental and/or acquired disabilities or complex medical needs, while also providing new opportunities in dental education on this campus.

We also pay tribute to Joanne Fox, who retired in August after 43 years of service to the school, most recently as director of our Alumni Association, and Dr. William Lundergan ’81, former chair of the Department of Periodontics, who retired after a 42-year career as an educator and administrator. Their passion, leadership and tireless work have shaped generations of students and alumni. They have inspired lifelong connections that have kept our Dugoni School family strong. We will continue to build upon the legacy they helped create.

Please enjoy the updates in this issue about school activities, community outreach and other events that have been taking place in recent months around our campus and beyond.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the Dugoni School of Dentistry as members of our dental school family. Together, we are building a future that honors our history while boldly embracing what lies ahead.

Warm regards,

Elisa M. Chávez, DDS Interim Dean

CURRENT ISSUE

Pacific Health Care Collaborative Welcomes New Cohort, Expands Clinical Services

The Pacific Health Care Collaborative (PHCC) at University of the Pacific’s Sacramento campus launched its second year of academic and clinical programs this July. This innovative program of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry welcomed 30 International Dental Studies (IDS) students and four Dental Hygiene (DH) students, bringing the total number of IDS and DH students studying at the PHCC to 63. New faculty members have also joined the Dugoni School in both preclinical and clinical capacities, supporting the expansion of the PHCC’s educational and patient care programs.

The PHCC continues to provide comprehensive dental services to the public and is accepting patient referrals from local dentists and healthcare providers. As part of a commitment to accessibility, the PHCC is now in-network with several dental managed care plans in the Sacramento area, including Liberty Dental Plan, Health Net of California and California Dental Network. The clinic also accepts PPO insurance and is in-network with Delta Dental, Sun Life/DentaQuest and affiliated provider networks.

To learn more about the clinic, visit dental.pacific.edu/PHCCclinic. If you are interested in becoming involved as a faculty member, contact Dr. Kim Benton, director of the PHCC, at kbenton1@pacific.edu or (628) 277-9406.

Shaping the Future of Dental AI: New Guidelines, Symposium and Research Collaborations

As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to influence a wide range of industries, the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is taking proactive steps to explore its role in dental education and clinical practice. Through new guidelines, educational events and research partnerships, the school is leading efforts to integrate AI in a responsible and thoughtful way.

The Dugoni GenAI Guidelines Task Force has launched a new website to encourage the ethical, effective and secure use of generative AI across academic and clinical settings. Key topics include data privacy and security, academic integrity, ethical considerations and legal compliance. The site also provides task-specific guidance for teaching, learning, research, clinical care and administrative functions. Explore the guidelines at dental.pacific.edu/genAI.

On January 16, 2026, the Dugoni School’s Center for Innovation and Translation and the Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care are convening a symposium to connect Dugoni School leaders with technology companies developing AI applications for health care. The symposium aims to raise the school’s visibility as a leading research partner in healthcare technology, while also spotlighting the intersection of oral health care, technology and access to care. The agenda will feature a keynote presentation, company showcases and opportunities for partnership development across education, clinical care, research and philanthropy.

In addition to co-hosting the symposium, the Center for Innovation and Translation is actively collaborating with several AI-focused companies, including Overjet, OraQ AI and Velmeni, on projects ranging from diagnostic imaging to risk assessment and workflow optimization. To date, the center has partnered with 31 startups, multinational companies, government entities and other external organizations to test and ultimately accelerate the adoption of proven technologies and innovations into routine clinical practice.

Kimberly LaRocca Named Director of Alumni Association

The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry’s Alumni Association—one of the largest and most active networks of dental alumni in the country—has new leadership with the appointment of Kimberly LaRocca ’06 DH as director of the Alumni Association. LaRocca brings extensive experience and strong connections within the dental school’s alumni community, as well as more than two decades of expertise in health care, education, stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership.

“I am deeply honored to step into this role and continue serving the Dugoni School family,” said LaRocca. “The Alumni Association is where lifelong friendships, mentorship and shared pride in our profession and the Dugoni School come together to create a powerful, supportive community. I look forward to working alongside our board, fellow alumni and school leadership to strengthen those bonds and create new opportunities for engagement, growth and impact.”

PHOTO BY CHRIS WOODROW

A proud graduate of the Dugoni School’s Dental Hygiene program, LaRocca also holds a second bachelor’s degree and a Leadership in Health Education certificate from University of the Pacific. She has served the school in numerous capacities, including most recently as program manager for the Division of Continuing Dental Education, member of the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee and coordinator of the Dental Faculty Council. She also served as president of the Alumni Association from 2016 to 2017, becoming the first dental hygiene graduate to hold that position. Additionally, LaRocca brings leadership experience as a board member of the Association for Continuing Dental Education, serving as the organization’s president from 2024 to 2025.

She also has strong family ties to the university. Her father, Dr. F. Paul Senise ’65, her sister, Dr. Kristina Cameron ’98, and her brother-in-law, Dr. Paul Cameron ’95, are all alumni of the Dugoni School of Dentistry, and her husband, Leo LaRocca, is a 1984 graduate of the McGeorge School of Law.

“We thank Kimberly for her passion in serving our alumni community and look forward to seeing her lead the association into the future in partnership with our board members, dedicated staff and the entire Dugoni School family,” said Interim Dean Elisa M. Chávez.

LaRocca’s appointment was the result of a broad search to fill the role following the retirement of Joanne Fox, who most recently served as the association’s director. “I am delighted to welcome Kimberly LaRocca as our new director,” said Dr. Wesley E. Wong ’98, president of the Alumni Association. “Having had the privilege of knowing her both personally and professionally, I can say with confidence that the Dugoni School of Dentistry alumni are fortunate to have such a dedicated and capable leader at the helm. Kimberly’s vision, energy and commitment will not only strengthen our alumni community today, but will also create lasting opportunities for future generations of alumni to benefit from her talents and leadership.”

The Alumni Association is more than 9,000 members strong and hosts a variety of events and programs to promote opportunities for social gatherings, mentorship, leadership and networking among alumni. One of the association’s signature events is the upcoming 127th Annual Alumni Association Meeting, scheduled for January 23-24, 2026 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Learn more about alumni programs and sign up for activities at pacific.edu/dental/alumni.

Volunteers Serve Communities from San Francisco to Jamaica

During the past six months, volunteers from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry have participated in a variety of outreach events, providing care and education to children, families, veterans and international communities. Outreach efforts included dental screenings and oral health education at the Hayward School District Resource Fair, the Pistahan Filipino Cultural Festival and the Chinatown Community Health Fair, in addition to Give Veterans a Smile events—held November 10 on both the San Francisco and the Sacramento campuses.

During the fall break, a group of 70 student and faculty volunteers traveled to Jamaica to provide much-needed dental care to underserved children and families, continuing the school’s proud tradition of global service. “Being in Jamaica reminded me why I’m so passionate about serving others,” said Izzy Razmi, Class of 2026, one of the trip leaders. “It was incredibly humbling to care for patients who’ve had limited access to dental services and to witness firsthand how meaningful compassionate care can be.”

Nadershahi Named to Senior Role at ADA

Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi ’94, former dean of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, has begun a new role as senior vice president of education/professional affairs at the American Dental Association.

Nadershahi is involved in directing educational affairs and related matters, including policy decisions and activities pertaining to accreditation of predoctoral, advanced and allied educational programs through the Commission on Dental Accreditation; dental and allied dental education policy; licensure and testing services; and continuing dental education provider recognition as well as liaising with various educational communities.

“The landscape of oral health education is constantly evolving to meet and exceed the needs of tomorrow’s professionals,” he said. “I am wholly focused on elevating and innovating the strong foundation of ADA educational programming, policies and offerings to forge new pathways for growth and development in service of our profession and our organization.”

Nadershahi served as the ninth dean of the Dugoni School of Dentistry and vice provost of the San Francisco campus following numerous faculty and administrative leadership roles at the school. He concluded his service as dean at the end of June 2025.

AROUND CAMPUS

COMMENCEMENT

RDAEF GRADUATION

BRIDGE BUILDERS

THANKS A BUNCH BRUNCH

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Pacific Receives $750K Grant to Expand Undergraduate Research

A generous new gift from the Fletcher Jones Foundation will provide invaluable summer research opportunities to more University of the Pacific undergraduates across majors on the Stockton campus.

The $750,000 grant will be doubled through Pacific’s Powell Match program, creating a $1.5 million endowment to cover stipends, living expenses and research materials for students. The Fletcher Jones Foundation Undergraduate Research Endowment expands the university’s existing Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, which provides eight-week, faculty-mentored research experiences.

“Undergraduate research experiences are a core foundation of a Pacific education, providing students with hands-on learning, professional development opportunities and a deeper sense of academic purpose that helps prepare them for graduate school and the workforce,” said Pacific President Christopher Callahan. “We are deeply grateful to the Fletcher Jones Foundation for its longstanding investment in Pacific and for this latest commitment, ensuring that generations of undergraduate students will benefit from working side-by-side with inspiring professors in meaningful, impactful summer research experiences—no matter their financial situation.”

National studies have shown that students who participate in undergraduate research are more likely to remain enrolled and graduate on time, often at significantly higher rates than their peers. Data from the Council on Undergraduate Research and the Association of American Colleges and Universities indicates that participation in research can boost retention by as much as 10% and increase graduation rates by 14%.

More than 80 Pacific students have participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program since 2008. They benefit from both an individual research experience and a cohort-based program that fosters community, collaboration and shared learning across disciplines.

“Undergraduate research empowers students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts, engage meaningfully with faculty mentors and build skills and relationships that serve them throughout their lives and careers,” said Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Our students gain immeasurable confidence from these experiences and from communicating about their research to the broader community.”

At the end of the summer, students present their findings to the Pacific community. They also are encouraged to attend conferences and pursue additional networking, presentation and publication opportunities.

Last year, students’ research topics ranged from corneal tissue engineering to memory recall strategies to Filipino musical traditions. One student researcher developed machine learning software that uses AI to translate sign language from hand movements into written text.

Twelve more students from 10 different academic programs completed research fellowships this summer. “This opportunity was a defining chapter in my undergraduate journey,” said Abdullah Choudhry ’25, a computer science major who explored the use of AI to predict the impact of underwater waste on marine ecosystems. Combining computer simulation and deep learning, Choudhry’s project forecasts debris accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea, in hopes of promoting timely intervention and cleanup of marine environments.

“The experience solidified my confidence in leading original research,” Choudhry said. “It pushed me to take initiative, navigate uncertainty and bring a multiphase project to completion. It has shaped the kind of work I now aspire to do and has prepared me to take on even more ambitious projects in the future.”

Past undergraduate research fellows have gone on to impactful careers in academia, science, engineering, dentistry, law, veterinary medicine and more. One former researcher received an Emmy Award for screenwriting earlier this year.

Undergraduate research is the latest of many Pacific programs to benefit from the university’s partnership with the Fletcher Jones Foundation, which spans nearly 45 years. The foundation also has made generous gifts supporting scholarships, professorships and endowed chairs, the university library and most recently, the Fletcher Jones Foundation Makerspace.

SAVE MORE $ WITH CDE DISCOUNTS

Alumni Association Members

Dues-paying alumni and associate members of the Dugoni School of Dentistry are eligible for a 15% discount off regular tuition for most programs sponsored by the Division of Continuing Dental Education.

Recent Dugoni School Graduates

Recent graduates of the Dugoni School from the past five years are eligible for a 20% discount off regular tuition for most programs sponsored by the Division of Continuing Dental Education.

Early Bird Tuition Discounts – All Participants

Early Bird Tuition is available to everyone and is offered for most handson programs sponsored by the Division of Continuing Dental Education. The deadline for the Early Bird Tuition is typically 30 days prior to the program start date and a discount code is not needed. Check our website and CDE catalog for specific deadlines.

*These discounts do not apply towards travel programs or specially discounted programs, and are non-transferable. The offers cannot be combined with other CDE discounts.

Email cedental@pacific.edu to receive your alumni discount code. Register online at dental.pacific.edu/CDEclasses

LEADING

Through a Time of Change

BY JENNIFER LANGHAM

For Dr. Elisa M. Chávez, professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences, being designated as interim dean at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is an unexpected opportunity to serve the school. “It’s challenging for sure, and it was not on my professional road map,” she says of the role she’s filled since July 1, 2025, “but I felt that I was at a place in my career where this was a way I could contribute.”

A member of the faculty at the dental school since 2000, Chávez has practiced in private, community health, long-term care and hospital settings including Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe in her hometown of El Paso, Texas, the Veterans Administration in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Jewish Home for the Aged in San Francisco and On Lok PACE across the Bay Area where she has directed student rotations. For a decade, she also developed and directed a clinical teaching program for the dental school at Laguna Honda Hospital, a 780-bed long-term care and rehabilitation hospital in San Francisco. Since 2019, she has been the director of the dental school’s Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care, which is focused on addressing the needs of individuals who have limited access to oral health care as well as those with limited access to dental education.

Dr. Cindy Lyon ’86, former associate dean for oral health education, commends Chávez for being a consistent advocate for the underserved and geriatric patient base within the dental school and the community at large. “I admire Elisa so much for her unwavering focus and support of these patients in her clinical work, her teaching and her advocacy,” says Lyon. “She’s wholly committed to bringing information and energy to the care of this population, ensuring that they’re included in priorities and policies.”

I felt that I was at a place in my career where this was a way I could contribute.

Chávez says the Dugoni School of Dentistry has been a great place to pursue her professional interests. “The field of geriatrics is not one of the more glamorous areas of focus in dentistry, but it is endlessly interesting. And, oral health care is so important to provide for this population. Here at the Dugoni School, I have been able to treat this underserved patient population, as well as teach students to provide this important care and I don’t know if I would have had those opportunities at any other place.”

She compares her new role with her decades of scholarship and teaching. “Many of my previous experiences required collaboration, both internally and externally, creating paths where there weren’t any before. In a way, being interim dean is similar: there’s not a road map and it requires us to make the most of opportunities to work together.”

Many of my previous experiences required collaboration, both internally and externally, creating paths where there weren’t any before.

Lyon saw Chávez’s leadership skills in action when they both served on the dental school’s Strategic Planning Oversight Committee, which Chávez chaired from 2016 to 2022. “Dr. Chávez met with us regularly to clarify our goals and how we were measuring outcomes, and she had a diplomatic way of holding us accountable if we weren’t making progress,” Lyon recalls. “She would investigate whether priorities had changed and if we had the resources needed, demonstrating real leadership in moving a large number of people forward on an important set of initiatives.”

In addition to her work as a clinician and educator, Chávez has, for the past 10 years, been a part of The Santa Fe Group, an oral health-focused think tank of which Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni ’48 was one of the founding members. The Santa Fe Group advances oral health equity, dental-medical integration, Medicare dental coverage and oral health policy through advocacy and research. As a fellow, then a scholar and now a board member of The Santa Fe Group, Chávez has been an advocate for the oral health needs of older adults nationwide. “This has opened up opportunities for advocacy, but more broadly it has allowed me to learn from people who are experts in their fields as we all look for ways to improve oral health across the nation,” she says.

Another unexpected occurrence on Chávez’s career path has been her involvement during the last three years with the Pacific Summer High School Institute on the Stockton campus. She has worked with faculty members, staff and dental students to develop a curriculum and programming for the “future dentists” cohort, introducing the dental profession to high school students from across the country, even internationally, during the two-week summer camp.

“It was a great experience to see the light bulb go on with some of these young and ambitious students, when they realized, ‘Oh, this is cool and something I want to do,’” says Chávez.

Chávez was honored for her mentorship of dental school students in 2023 when she received the university-wide Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award for her leadership working with first-generation students and students from underserved communities.

The summer experience changed the lives of these young people, says Stan Constantino, associate dean of admissions and student affairs, who explains that several of the students who participated in the Pacific Summer High School Institute have gone on to matriculate into the pre-dental program on the Stockton campus. “I truly credit Dr. Chávez’s mentorship as the spark that motivated these students’ interest in dentistry and in Pacific,” he says.

Chávez was honored for her mentorship of dental school students in 2023 when she received the university-wide Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award for her leadership working with firstgeneration students and students from underserved communities, one of many faculty awards she has received. Constantino says, “With all of her clinical and academic responsibilities, she still finds time to mentor students one-on-one, and many of the students she has mentored have graduated and are now practicing in cities across the U.S.”

Chávez sees her time as interim dean, while the search for a new dean is underway, as an opportunity for the whole Dugoni School of Dentistry community to pause and take a fresh look at where the school is and where it’s going.

Constantino observes that Chávez’s skills as a mentor and leader are respected by students and colleagues alike. “She’s not only admired for her wisdom and intelligence,” he says, “but also for that rare ability to listen deeply and connect personally with people.”

In her first months serving as interim dean, Chávez has employed these listening skills in numerous meetings with stakeholders throughout the dental school and the university, where Lyon says that Chávez has shown herself to be a thoughtful and pragmatic leader during this time of transition. “She acknowledges the challenges we’re up against and makes it about the team rather than about herself,” Lyon says. “I appreciate that she recognizes the uncertainty of the school’s position but also reassures people that as a community we’re going to be okay.”

Chávez sees her time as interim dean, while the search for a new dean is underway, as an opportunity for the whole Dugoni School of Dentistry community to pause and take a fresh look at where the school is and where it’s going.

“This is a chance for us to ask, ‘What are the opportunities we want to continue to pursue? Is this a time to think about something new?’ I want to make sure people feel supported because that’s how we’re going to move forward,” says Chávez.

Jennifer Langham is a regular contributor to Contact Point and other University of the Pacific publications.

The Search for a New Dean

As the academic year began, so did the search process for the new dean. The first step was creating a search committee, an action led by University Provost Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert in partnership with Dr. Debra Woo ’86, chair of the Dental Faculty Council and assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences.

“The process for creating search committees is specifically defined within the faculty handbook, which is helpful, so my job was to get the faculty together to elect seven dental school faculty representatives,” Woo says. Edwalds-Gilbert selected the additional six members of the 13-member committee.

The committee scheduled several listening sessions to gather input from stakeholders, using this feedback to create a prospectus outlining the responsibilities for the role and the qualities sought in the next dean.

“The goal of the search committee will be to identify a dean who brings strong academic and administrative experience, along with a deep appreciation for our humanistic values, focus on clinical dentistry and the culture that makes our dental school so special,” says Woo.

Korn Ferry, the search firm engaged by the university for this process, will use the prospectus to identify potential candidates, and applicants may come from other sources as well. The committee will create a rubric for evaluating candidates, and they will recommend up to four finalists who will each spend a few days on campus meeting with faculty, staff, students and alumni. The standard timeline for conducting a comprehensive dean search is nine to 12 months.

“I am confident in the committee’s ability to find a competitive pool of finalists from which a new dean will be selected,” said Edwalds-Gilbert. “Together, the committee set a very high standard for the kind of leader we seek—one with vision, clarity and compassion. I am grateful for the dedication the committee brings to this process.”

Dr. Alan Gluskin ’72, professor and former chair of the Department of Endodontics, was elected co-chair of the search committee by his Dugoni School of Dentistry colleagues, and like Woo, he wants humanism to be front and center in the search for a new dean. Berit Gundersen, PharmD, dean of the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, serves as the other co-chair of the committee.

“Humanism is the underpinning of our school,” Gluskin says, with practical implications. “To graduate excellent students in three years, the departments have to work together and the students need to understand that our philosophy of mutual respect holds them and us accountable.”

As an example of humanism in action, Gluskin describes Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni himself, who as dean made rounds of the dental school every Friday. “He would literally talk to everyone from department chairs and faculty to dental students and janitors. He wanted to understand how the school worked, and he listened carefully and showed compassion to everyone.”

For Gluskin, two of the traits he would like to see in the next dean are collaboration and trust. “If we have someone who can listen to diverse ideas and come up with the most reasonable way to empower people, then when he/she follows through on that collaboration, it demonstrates that we can trust our leader.”

Trust and collaboration are also qualities both Gluskin and Woo say will be reflected in the work of the search committee. “We’ve agreed that the process will be transparent while the candidate details are kept confidential,” says Gluskin.

The committee will share information as it’s appropriate to do so, particularly when the finalists visit campus. This will be an important time for the wider Dugoni School community to ask questions and share impressions of the final candidates. Following the procedure outlined in the faculty handbook, all feedback on the candidates will be compiled and provided to Edwalds-Gilbert who will make the final decision.

Woo says the search process is an opportunity for the dental school to move forward. “I believe people are turning the corner and feeling positive about the process,” she says. “I’m hopeful that at the end of the search process people will be happy that the university selected someone who will truly represent our dedicated faculty, staff and alumni—everyone who makes up the Dugoni family.”

New Multidisciplinary Advanced Care Clinics and Ambulatory Surgery Center

Treating Patients with Special Healthcare Needs and State-of-the-Art Surgery

By Kirsten Mickelwait

“By

having this space to train our predoctoral and postdoctoral dental students... we’re not only attending to the needs of our patients but laying the foundation for patients with special healthcare needs to receive excellent care from our graduates, wherever they might practice in the future.”

—Dr. Elisa M. Chávez

Patients of all ages with complex medical needs or disabilities face many challenges, including finding access to oral health care,” according to Dr. Elisa M. Chávez, interim dean and professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

“Many patients are physically unable to access adequate care either because the facilities can’t accommodate their needs or because there are a limited number of providers with adequate training to attend to their needs.

The dental school is addressing this challenge head-on with plans to open a new facility on its San Francisco campus that will house the Multidisciplinary Advanced Care Clinics (MDAC) and an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). The project is rooted in the school’s long history of caring for patients with complex healthcare needs and shaped by the leadership and vision of its faculty who, for decades, have made this work a priority. In addition, offering a hospital-level surgery center within the school is a significant innovation for dental schools nationwide.

Designed specifically to serve individuals of all ages with special healthcare needs, the facility will occupy 13,000 square feet and will feature four operating rooms, eight operatories, five mixed-use medical/dental treatment rooms and a waiting room specially designed to accommodate patients with sensory processing disorders and other conditions.

The clinics and surgery center, which are slated toopeninthefallof2026,areexpectedtotriple patient visits in the Special Care Clinic and HospitalDentistryprogramtomorethan8,000 visits per year. Academic programs currently located in the first-floor space—including Pacific’s Audiology and Music Therapy programs—will be moved to the sixth floor to make room for the new clinical facility. Dennis Song, DDS, MD, associate professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, will serve as medical director to support the development, construction and accreditation phasesoftheproject.

Surgical Care Suite

A Project Worth Investing In

According to Associate Dean for Advancement Eric Dumbleton, the Board of Regents approved $22 million for the project, and the dental school recently secured a $5 million Specialty Dental Clinic grant from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) along with a $1 million gift from Dr. Al and Dotty Warkentine ’65. In addition, the university has launched a fundraising campaign to further support the effort.

“I’m inspired by this project and proud to be a part of it because of what it represents for our most vulnerable and underserved patient populations,” Dumbleton says. “I look forward to engaging the Dugoni School family as we work together to generate support.”

“This state-of-the-art facility will cement our hard-earned international reputation for pioneering the education of future healthcare providers in the treatment of patients with complex health issues,” agrees Dr. David Lam, associate dean for medical integration, professor and chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. “This underscores our leadership and innovation in this space and gives us an edge over competitors for recruitment of predoctoral and postdoctoral students, as well as recruitment and retention of top faculty and staff.”

Dr. Paul Subar

“Exposure to multidisciplinary care broadens our students’ clinical skills, strengthens their understanding of comprehensive treatment planning and prepares them to deliver equitable, patient-centered care in diverse practice settings.”

—Dr. Paul Subar

“This state-of-the-art facility will cement our hard-earned international reputation for pioneering the education of future healthcare providers in the treatment of patients with complex health issues.”

—Dr. David Lam

A Patient-Centered Design

Reflecting the dental school’s patient-centered perspective, the new clinics will be specifically designed to serve those with moderate to severe medical, developmental and psychosocial conditions, enabling patients to see a variety of healthcare professionals in one place, says Chávez, who serves as the project’s administrator and is principal investigator for the CHFFA grant. The Ambulatory Surgery Center will accommodate patients of all ages who require a hospital level of care.

“By having this space to train our predoctoral and postdoctoral dental students to care for individuals with the most complex medical and dental needs, we’re not only attending to the needs of our patients but laying the foundation for patients with special healthcare needs to receive excellent care from our graduates, wherever they might practice in the future,” Chávez says.

According to Dr. Paul Subar, professor and chair of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences and director of the Special Care Clinic and Hospital Dentistry program, the new facilities will provide students with invaluable hands-on experience in managing medically complex patients in a collaborative, team-based environment. “Exposure to multidisciplinary care broadens our students’ clinical skills, strengthens their understanding of comprehensive treatment planning and prepares them to deliver equitable, patient-centered care in diverse practice settings.” The expanded clinical program will also support internships in oral and maxillofacial surgery as well as hospital dentistry.

For patients, it will expand access to care for those needing pediatric dentistry, adult special care and hospital dentistry. The MDAC and ASC facilities will drastically shorten the wait time for consultations, care and follow-up, decreasing the chances that a patient will need to visit a hospital emergency room to manage dental disease. Just for an initial consultation, the school’s Special Care Clinic currently has a sixmonth waitlist for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; wait times for actual treatment could be another six months or longer.

In cases requiring general anesthesia to effectively and safely obtain dental care, the Special Care Clinic currently runs a Hospital Dentistry program at California Pacific Medical Center. “There are many more patients seeking treatment in the outpatient Special Care Clinic and Hospital Dentistry program than can reasonably be accommodated in the current clinical space,” Subar says. “This will positively affect the thousands of patients we treat at the dental school every year.”

Dr. Rinku Saini, associate professor and chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, agrees. “The expected impact on pediatric dental education and patient care is truly transformational,” he says. “For the first time in our history, the Dugoni School will have dedicated multidisciplinary operating rooms, making it possible to expand our predoctoral program and to initiate a pediatric dentistry residency program. This growth will significantly expand our capacity to care for children and adults with special healthcare needs and complex medical conditions, many of whom require coordinated multidisciplinary care, specialized sensory environments or treatment under general anesthesia.”

The dental school’s current capacity limits treament to only about 20 such children each year. With the new facility and residency programs in oral and maxillofacial surgery, special care and pediatric dentistry, the school expects to serve nearly 200 children in the first year and more than 400 children by the second year.

“Our location and the Ambulatory Surgery Center design will allow us to partner with other healthcare providers—such as otolaryngology specialists from Stanford Health—to better coordinate care, enabling patients to receive other needed healthcare services in addition to excellent patient-centered dental care,” says Lam.

“With access to our own operating rooms, we can readily schedule patients at our San Francisco campus rather than in partner hospital operating rooms,” Lam adds. “This will enhance access, caseloads

and rotations for dental students by providing a valuable in-house rotation site, offering a more streamlined and accessible training experience that sets a new standard for predoctoral and postdoctoral programs to train the next generation of providers.”

In addition, alumni and other Bay Area practitioners will be able to refer their patients to the Ambulatory Surgery Center.

A Model for Other Institutions

The need for such specialized care is only growing. According to a recent California Dental Association report, only 14 locations in the state are available to handle dental patients with disabilities, and most multidisciplinary clinics and surgery centers of this kind only exist in hospitals and medical centers. “This model not only improves oral health outcomes but also enhances overall health and quality of life for special needs populations,” says Subar.

“To my knowledge, we will be the one of the first dental schools in North America to house these types of innovative, state-of-the-art Multidisciplinary Advanced Care Clinics and 23-hour-stay Ambulatory Surgery Center right on our own campus,” says Lam. “These facilities will serve as a critical foundational component for the establishment of residencies in oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry and hospital dentistry. Residency programs require advanced facilities to meet the healthcare needs of patients with complex medical conditions and the MDAC/ASC will provide a centralized location for these services.”

“From the outset, our goal has been to design a modern facility that could serve as a model for other dental schools and institutions nationwide,” says Saini. “To achieve this, we integrated contemporary technology with an innovative layout, ensuring that each element was intentionally designed to support patients with special healthcare needs and to accommodate the unique sensitivities of neurodiverse individuals.”

Everyone involved with this ambitious project is brimming with excitement for how it will support and enhance the Dugoni School of Dentistry’s patient-centered mission. “It brings together everything that defines our school: a focus on clinical excellence, a history of caring for children and adults with special needs, the leadership of our faculty and our commitment to innovation and community service,” says Saini. “It translates all of this into a facility that will change lives immediately while serving as a model for others.”

“The new Multidisciplinary Advanced Care Clinics and Ambulatory Surgery Center will allow us to take patient care and dental education to the next level,” agrees Chávez. “These new spaces will pave the way for us to expand access to care for those with developmental or acquired disabilities and complex medical conditions and to provide our predoctoral students with important opportunities for learning.”

Kirsten Mickelwait is a San Francisco-based author, copywriter, content provider and professional storyteller.

JOANNE FOX

CELEBRATING a Lifetime of Service

By Christina Boufis

When Joanne Fox started working at the dental school in October 1981, the world was a different place. There were no laptop computers or email. Her work was done on an electric typewriter and by snail mail. The school had yet to be named after its long-serving and beloved dean, Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni ’48.

One friendship that turned into courtship and then marriage was with Dr. Michael Fox ’82. She met Michael, a third-year dental student at the time, during the Asilomar Retreat in 1982. The two are happily married and have three daughters, Denise, Alanna and Justine, and recently welcomed their first grandchild.

Fox found the temporary data entry position in the Public Relations and Development Office through a friend who worked in the Financial Aid Office. A native San Franciscan, she didn’t realize that University of Pacific had a dental school in the city before she accepted the job.

Two weeks before her temporary position ended, Al Gilmour, assistant dean, impressed by her efficiency and hard work, hired Fox permanently. “From the beginning, I felt very comfortable at the school and fit right in,” Fox says. “I was in the right place at the right time.”

Eighteen months later, Dean Dugoni asked Fox to join him and Dr. David Nielsen ’67, assistant dean of administration and newly named executive director of the Alumni Association, in the Dean’s Office. For many years, it was just Nielsen as executive director and Fox as coordinator running the Alumni Association.

Forty-three years after her first temporary position, Fox retired in August 2025 as director of the Alumni Association. Throughout the years, she rose from coordinator to assistant director to director of the Alumni Association in 2016.

“Throughout her tenure, Joanne has collaborated with countless alumni, board members, faculty, staff, students and residents, helping to shape the strongest dental school alumni organization anywhere in the country,” says Dr. Elisa M. Chávez, interim dean, professor and director of the Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care.

What made Fox want to stay and make a career at the dental school? “It was the people I worked with,” she says. “Everyone was so kind to me and really did take me under their wings, especially Dr. Dugoni. He was a great mentor to many of us, a surrogate father to me and such a brilliant man. Dr. Leroy Cagnone ’59 trusted me with the financial books of the Alumni Association. I became good friends with Dr. Bob Christoffersen ’67 and made friends with several other faculty, administrators, staff and alumni.”

One friendship that turned into courtship and then marriage was with Dr. Michael Fox ’82. She met Michael, a third-year dental student at the time, during the Asilomar Retreat in 1982. The two are happily married and have three daughters, Denise, Alanna and Justine, and recently welcomed their first grandchild.

For many alumni, Fox became the face of the dental school—the warm voice on the phone, the smiling person who greeted them at events, always remembering their names and faces.

“A major part of my job was the personal interaction,” Fox says, “getting to know people through one-on-one meetings, by phone or just emails over the years. These relationships were a very rewarding part of the job.”

Fox’s warmth and genuineness is one of the first things people notice about her. “She always has a smile on her face,” says Dr. Jamie Sahouria ’04, president of the Alumni Association from 2022 to 2023. “If you mention her name to any of the alumni, they would say, ‘That’s the person we went to when we had a question about anything related to our school. She’s been like a walking encyclopedia of our school and our alumni.”

Her colleagues agree. “Joanne is one of the most engaging people I met at Pacific, actually anywhere” says Dr. Eddie Hayashida, former associate dean for administration, who started working at the school in 1979. “I’m fortunate that she’s become one of my best friends.”

Hayashida adds, “In addition to being such a good friend, Joanne was incredibly good at her job. She was very detail-oriented and focused on the school.”

“I’ve known Joanne for 30-plus years,” says Dr. William van Dyk ’73, a longtime member of the Alumni Association board and faculty member at the dental school. “I was treasurer of the Alumni Association, and she made my job so easy that I was embarrassed to call myself treasurer. She just knew exactly what to keep track of, what not to worry about and made everything run so smoothly.”

During the past four decades, Fox led or supported numerous signature events for the school, including the Annual Alumni Meeting, Asilomar Retreat, Faculty Retreat, OKU Convocation, VIP Graduation Luncheon, First-Year Welcome, Alumni/ Graduate Banquet and other regional alumni events.

“A major part of my job was the personal interaction,” Fox says, “getting to know people through one-on-one meetings, by phone or just emails over the years. These relationships were a very rewarding part of the job.”

“She and her team played a key role in getting alumni together and helping them stay connected to the school and each other,” says Chávez.

With Fox at the helm, “You never had to worry about how an event was going to turn out,” says Hayashida, “because Joanne had thought of everything, kept everybody informed and had incredible initiative and follow through.”

The large events were some of the highlights of Fox’s career as well. “I’ve always loved our Annual Alumni Meeting,” she says, “because it brings people back together, and they’re always so happy to see each other. And then there’s the Alumni/Graduate Banquet, which is a really an important night because it’s the last time the graduating class will all be together when they’re not distracted by graduation day.”

In addition to her work with alumni, Fox has also been recognized with numerous honors. She is a Medallion of Distinction Award recipient—the highest honor given by the Alumni Association— and an honorary member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon and the Tau Kappa Omega dental honor societies. She continues to serve on the Admissions Interview Committee and participate on the editorial board for Contact Point magazine during her retirement.

And while working for the Alumni Association, she even went back to school part-time to earn a bachelor’s degree in 2023 from University of the Pacific. “It was always on my mind to go back and finish my degree,” Fox says, who left her studies at San Francisco State University to get married after completing her junior year.

While the degree meant many months of staying up until midnight writing papers, “It was a great experience,” Fox says. “I met people I never would have encountered in my life.”

It was Fox’s warmth and approachability that made an impact on Dr. Nava Fathi ’05, regent of University of the Pacific and former president of the Alumni Association. In fact, in 2006 when Fathi was invited to run for president of the Alumni Association board—her dream volunteer position—it was Fox who she turned to for advice.

“I vividly remember going to her office with tears in my eyes to tell Joanne that I was sorry, but I couldn’t fulfill my presidential duties because I was pregnant with twins,” says Fathi.

She recalls that Joanne looked at her for a moment and said, “Nava, if you don’t do it now, you’re never going to do it. This is the time, and I have your back.”

Fathi accepted the position and had a very successful year. “I have to thank Joanne for giving me the power to believe in myself that I could do it,” she says.

She also learned from Fox the importance of seeing each and every alumnus as not just a name but a person with a family, kids and a life outside of dentistry. “She just taught us to be human if you will, to care for each other on a very different level,” says Fathi. “It’s not superficial with Joanne. She genuinely knows and cares about each and every person. She literally probably knows all 9,000 alumni!”

WITH FOX AT THE HELM, YOU NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT HOW AN EVENT WAS GOING TO TURN OUT, BECAUSE JOANNE HAD THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING, KEPT EVERYBODY INFORMED AND HAD INCREDIBLE INITIATIVE AND FOLLOW THROUGH.

— DR. EDDIE HAYASHIDA

In 2009, when Fathi accepted the post as regent for the university, Fox was one of the first people to call and congratulate her. “Joanne has always been the strong woman at the Dugoni School that other women need and can lean on,” Fathi says. “I truly feel inspired by her. She’s an amazing person, friend, mom, wife and an amazing everything.”

Her colleagues say similar things. “One of the things about Joanne is that she could mix friendship with professionalism better than anybody I’ve ever met,” says van Dyk. “She made each person on the Alumni Association board feel special as a person and also helped everybody do a better job.”

Sahouria, past president of the Alumni Association, agrees. “Joanne has this incredible ability to combine professionalism with warmth,” she says. “She treats everyone—whether it’s faculty, staff, students or alumni—with such genuine respect and helps to create an atmosphere where we feel valued as members of the Alumni Association and members of the Dugoni School family.”

When she was newly elected president of the Alumni Association, Sahouria recalls that it was Fox who offered to drive to her office, an hour away, to meet up. “We went out to lunch and she listened to the things that I hoped to accomplish, and she took a lot of notes. And I thought to myself, ‘Wow. She’s taking me seriously and she really wants my goals to come to fruition,’” says Sahouria.

“I think Joanne deserves the biggest thanks in the world from our alumni and from our school,” Sahouria says. “She’s really created a legacy of giving back, whether it’s in time or talent. She embodies what it means to be a Dugoni School family member and all of the characteristics we try to teach our students—the spirit of excellence, service beyond self, humanism and a deep respect for others.”

In addition to her work with the Alumni Association, Fox has served as a valuable—and memorable—member of the Admissions Interview Committee. As usual, she brought her signature warmth to the interview process.

“I walked into the interview nervous, and worried about what the interview would be like,” says Brenden Weaver, a current student in the Class of 2027. “Within minutes, Joanne helped me feel welcome, at ease and confident. Throughout the interview, she connected with me, told me about the school and took the time to sincerely get to know me. The interview experience that Joanne created for me demonstrated the depth of the humanistic culture that makes the Dugoni School family special, confirming to me that there was nowhere else I would rather attend dental school.”

What’s next for Fox after retirement? She plans to travel, including frequent trips to Los Angeles to spend time with her grandson, remodel a bathroom, clear out closets and the garage, catch up with friends and seek volunteer opportunities in her neighborhood— and take her dog on longer walks more often too.

JOANNE HAS THIS INCREDIBLE ABILITY TO COMBINE PROFESSIONALISM WITH WARMTH. SHE TREATS EVERYONE—WHETHER IT'S FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS OR ALUMNI— WITH SUCH GENUINE RESPECT AND HELPS TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE WE FEEL VALUED AS MEMBERS OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND MEMBERS OF THE DUGONI SCHOOL FAMILY.

— DR. JAMIE SAHOURIA ’04

How to summarize a career that has spanned decades and changed the lives of so many people? For her lifetime of service, genuine warmth and devotion to the school, Sahouria sums it up best, “I think it’s important to thank her and really recognize the legacy that she’s leaving behind.”

“We’re really going to miss her,” says van Dyk. “We wish Joanne all the best in her next chapter.”

Christina Boufis, PhD, is a freelance health and medical writer from the East Bay.

ALUMNI SCENE

Dr. William Lundergan ’81: A Four-Decade Journey as an Educator

By Ashley Musick

From his first day at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 1978 to receiving the Order of the Pacific before his retirement to achieving emeritus professor status in 2024, Dr. William Lundergan’s remarkable 42year career has solidified his legacy as an inspiring and enduring educator. Which is why it might surprise many to learn that Lundergan’s original plan never involved becoming an educator—or even a dentist. After marrying his wife Faye, who was pursuing pharmacy, he also began postgraduate studies at University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy in 1976. Two years later, he made the pivotal decision to transfer to the Dugoni School’s DDS program.

“I switched to the dental school the same year that Art Dugoni became our dean,” Lundergan remembers. Though Dale Redig, the previous dean, had planted the seeds of the school’s revolutionary humanistic model, it would flourish under Dugoni’s leadership—an approach that would become central to Lundergan’s identity as an educator.

After graduating as class valedictorian from the Dugoni School in 1981 and completing his periodontics training at University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine in 1983, Lundergan contacted Dr. Walter Hall, chair of the Department of Periodontics, hoping for a part-time teaching position while exploring private practice in the Bay Area. However, Hall could only offer him a full-time faculty position, and in what could be called one of the most consequential decisions of his career, Lundergan accepted with the intention to stay for a year or two before transitioning into full-time practice.

That “year or two” eventually stretched into 42 years of devoted service.

“I’m convinced that it was the humanistic model of teaching at the Dugoni School that kept me in teaching,” Lundergan reflects. “It’s not only desirable to be a student in a humanistic model, but it’s also more enjoyable to teach in one. I came into education through the back door, but it definitely was my calling.”

During his tenure, Lundergan taught more than 6,000 students across the DDS, International Dental Studies and Dental Hygiene programs. As chair of the Department of Periodontics from 1997 until his retirement, he championed innovations that expanded access to dental education across California. His proudest achievement was helping establish the Dugoni School’s Dental Hygiene program. Recognizing the critical shortage of dental hygienists in the Central Valley, Lundergan helped lead the charge to create the bachelor of science degree program, which evolved to include a groundbreaking remote delivery model that brings education to underserved communities.

“Bill was so generous about welcoming dental hygiene to his department and guiding our program launch,” recalls longtime colleague Dr. Cindy Lyon ’86, former associate dean of oral health education and the first director of the Dental Hygiene program. “His calmness and confidence in us was contagious among dental hygiene faculty and students alike.”

Lundergan also transformed clinical education by introducing reflective portfolios—an innovation that changed how future dentists learn to think critically about their practices. “In health care, you have to constantly assess yourself and make sure that you’re keeping up with current best practices,” he emphasizes.

Dr. Lundergan ’81 presents certificates to Drs. Orlando Ebalo III ’25 and Paulina Esquivias ’25 during the senior research poster presentations on April 18, 2025.

This philosophy created ripple effects not only with students, but throughout the department as well. Dr. Navid Knight ’89, who first joined the Department of Periodontics in 1995 as a volunteer faculty member while finishing his U.S. Naval service, experienced this first-hand. “From the very beginning, Dr. Lundergan’s calm and welcoming presence made me feel supported and valued. His ability to balance leadership with genuine mentorship created an environment where I developed the passion for being part of the academic environment. That example has stayed with me throughout my career.”

Lundergan attributes his own success to various mentors who shaped his approach. From Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni ’48, he learned the power of listening and mutual respect. Dr. Walter Hall taught him to build networks with colleagues worldwide, while Drs. Bob Christofferson ’67 and Dave Chambers provided early faculty development guidance.

Most meaningful was his relationship with Dr. Wilbur Hughes, a retired colonel from the U.S. Air Force, who embodied the humanistic model. When Hughes and his wife passed away, they left behind an endowment that would later honor Lundergan himself. In 2020, Lundergan became the first Wilbur and Ruth Hughes Endowed Chair in Periodontics. “It’s very meaningful, receiving the endowed chair in the name of somebody who I knew and respected so much,” he notes.

Lundergan received a master’s degree in education from Pacific’s Benerd School of Education in 1994 and has made scholarly contributions to textbooks and dental journals, in addition to countless presentations throughout his career. He served a key member of several accreditation writing groups and site visits, and participated in numerous committees for both the dental school and university, such as the Dental Faculty Council, University Promotions and Tenure Committee, University Academic Council and several search committees.

Lundergan also transformed clinical education by introducing reflective portfolios— an innovation that changed how future dentists learn to think critically about their practices.

Lundergan’s dedication earned him the university’s Distinguished Faculty Award in 2002—only the second dental school faculty member to receive this honor in more than 25 years. “Being recognized by the university as Distinguished Faculty of the Year was probably, for me, the biggest honor,” he reflects.

Beyond his own career, Lundergan’s family shares his commitment to health care and mentorship. His wife Faye transitioned from pharmacy to pediatric medicine in her 40s, and their daughter Jennifer followed her father’s footsteps and graduated as class valedictorian from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2015 before specializing in pediatric dentistry, while their son William completed medical school and orthopedic surgery training at USC.

When his daughter Jennifer attended the Dugoni School, Lundergan shared that although she was initially hesitant about her father being a department chair while she was a student, their relationship brought him closer to his daughter’s class than to any other during his 42 years as an educator. Together, they hosted weekend gatherings at the family house that became popular among her classmates, fostering friendships that continue to this day.

“Bill and I were dental school classmates from 1978 through 1981,” said Dr. Dan Castagna ’81. “He was always a ‘quiet one’ and so knowledgeable. Plus, he was a good softball player on the several teams we were on together. Over the years, we spent many hours in clinic together. He was always very calm, with great teaching skills and excellent patient interactions. And Bill and his daughter Jenni are the only father/daughter valedictorians at the Dugoni School!”

Retirement hasn’t slowed Lundergan’s commitment to education. He volunteers at the Dugoni School every Monday, teaching firstyear students and also interviews prospective students as a member of the Admissions Interview Committee. “They have a thirst for knowledge, and they really want to learn, so it’s fun teaching the first-year students,” he explains. The rest of his week centers on his five grandchildren, ranging from six months old to six years.

His advice to students and faculty alike remains characteristically practical: “Don’t burn your bridges, because you never know which direction you end up going in.”

Through four decades of service, Lundergan embodied—and continues to embody—the humanistic values that define the Dugoni School, proving that sometimes the most meaningful careers are the ones we never imagined for ourselves. As he settles into emeritus status, his legacy lives on in the thousands of dental professionals he influenced and the innovative programs he championed—a fitting tribute to an educator who never intended to teach, but couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Ashley Musick is a freelance writer from Costa Mesa, California.

$1M Gift Supports New Opportunities in Special Care Dentistry

Dr. Al Warkentine ’65, a retired dentist, and his wife Dotty know well the challenges facing patients with disabilities, and they want to help. Together, they made a $1 million lead gift to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry supporting the planned Multidisciplinary Advanced Care Clinics and Ambulatory Surgery Center. Slated to open on the San Francisco campus in late 2026, the facility will provide specialized care for individuals of all ages with disabilites or complex medical conditions.

“With heartfelt thanks, we recognize Al and Dotty for their exceptional $1 million gift. Their generosity is both inspiring and deeply impactful, and we are honored by their partnership in this effort,” says Eric Dumbleton, associate dean for advancement. “Their kindness and belief in this work will make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many for years to come.”

The 13,000-square-foot facility will feature four operating rooms, eight operatories, five mixed use medical/ dental suites and a waiting area designed for patients with sensory processing disorders and other conditions.

“We have a grandchild with special needs, and we’re aware of what sensory overload does,” Dotty says. “To have a facility where these patients can be treated by trained providers, in a setting designed to keep them calm, is spectacular.”

Al Warkentine practiced dentistry in Fresno for 32 years. He remembers when the city had numerous dentists but just one oral surgeon. “I know lack of bandwidth is still a challenge. That’s where I see Pacific’s new clinics and surgery center being of special value,” he says.

$1 million lead gift

13,000 square feet

13 treatment areas, including eight operatories and five flex suites

The facility will dramatically increase the Dugoni School’s capacity to treat patients from all around the Bay Area especially underserved communities. It will support the relaunch of Pacific’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency program and a new Pediatric Dentistry specialty program.

“This will expand opportunities to serve patients with complex needs right on our campus, and to collaborate with local dentists on difficult cases,” explaines Dr. Elisa M. Chávez, interim dean.

To recognize the Warkentines’ support, the center’s consultation hub will bear their name—and they encourage others to join them. “I challenge other dentists to see what a good project this is and open their pocketbooks. Let’s support the school together,” Al says.

To learn more, contact Eric Dumbleton, associate dean for advancement, at (415) 929-6422 or edumbleton@pacific.edu.

Dugoni Business Club Donates $1,000 to Support Students in Need

On September 3, 2025, the Dugoni Business Club (DBC) donated $1,000 to The Art Dugoni Scholar Endowment, a fund that supports myriad needs including dental students who are facing financial challenges.

The Dugoni Business Club is dedicated to empowering business-minded dental students by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and mindset necessary for success beyond the clinical setting. The club’s mission is to elevate the dental school experience by fostering leadership, innovation and business acumen.

While the Dugoni School is known for producing outstanding clinicians, DBC aims to add another layer of excellence onto the school’s strong practice management curriculum—preparing students to become exceptional business owners and practice leaders. Through activities such as individualized future financial planning, realworld case studies and hands-on business training, DBC members gain a competitive edge as future entrepreneurs in dentistry.

“Serving as president of the DBC has challenged me to think strategically about how the club can best support students in navigating both the clinical and business sides of dentistry,” says Delara Fotovatja, president of the DBC and member of the Class of 2027. “I’m proud that we’re not only helping educate future leaders but also finding ways to give back to our dental school community. It’s truly an honor to represent the DBC.”

Interim Dean Elisa M. Chávez received the donation from the club and shared a heartfelt memory with the members. “When I was a dental student, I was once called into the Financial Aid Office and unexpectedly awarded $1,000. I know first-hand how much the support that you are providing will mean to someone. My sincere thanks to each of you and DBC for looking out for your colleagues in this way.”

Memorial and Tribute Gifts from March 5, 2025 – September 18, 2025

In Memory Of: Given By:

Mr. Bruce Albers

Ms. Joann Bales

Sandy Walsh Bell

Dr. Ronald F. Borer

Dr. William Carpenter

Craig and Nancy Yarborough

Craig and Nancy Yarborough

Mrs. Eleanor Yuen

Dr. Robert Christoffersen

Dr. Steven Dugoni

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden

Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth F. Hovden

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas McConnell

Dr. David and Mrs. Virginia Nielsen

Craig and Nancy Yarborough

Dr. Steven Dugoni

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas McConnell

San Francisco Dental Society

Dr. Lila Marie Skelley

Dr. David M. Gerber

Dr. Robert Golden

Dr. Alan D. Hiura

Dr. Glenn Lockwood

Mr. Manuel Machado

Dr. Fred Muska

Dr. Ryle Radke, Jr.

Suzanne Spangler

Zane Templin

Dr. Paul R. Thomassen

Dr. Lila Marie Skelley

Dr. Robert Christoffersen

Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Fujinaka

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden

Craig and Nancy Yarborough

Dr. Robert Christoffersen

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden

Dr. Bert and Mrs. Mary Rouleau

Jeffrey and Frances Templin

Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dr. Thomas R. Bales Family Endowment

Class of 1956 Endowment

Dr. Ronald F. Borer Endowment

The Art Dugoni Scholar Endowment

Dr. Ronald F. Borer Endowment

Dr. Marion Hovden '52 Scholarship Endowment

Dr. Ronald F. Borer Endowment

David & Virginia Nielsen Endowment for Humanism & Service

Dr. Ronald F. Borer Endowment

The Art Dugoni Scholar Endowment

Pacific Oral Pathology Laboratory Scholarship Endowment

Pacific Oral Pathology Laboratory Scholarship Endowment

Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dr. Robert H. Christoffersen Endowed Professorship

Dennis D. Shinbori Lecture Endowment

Dugoni Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment

Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dr. Robert H. Christoffersen Endowed Professorship

Dr. Robert H. Christoffersen Endowed Professorship

Bert and Mary Rouleau Family Endowment

Peer Support Program

Mr. and Mrs. Don Thomassen Dugoni School Annual Fund

In Honor Of: Given By:

Mrs. Eve Cuny

Dr. Albert Chuong

Mrs. Joanne Fox

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden Dugoni Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment

Dao Hai Thanh Nguyen Dugoni School Annual Fund

Mrs. Christine Miller

Dr. Nader Nadershahi

Dr. Colin Wong

Dr. Debra Woo

In Memoriam

Dr. Richard K. Snow ’55

Dr. Richard R. Rutter ’58

Dr. Howard E. Hoffman ’59

Dr. Thomas E. Jamart ’70

Dr. Charles J. Molosky II ’70

Dr. Robert Ryan ’70

Dr. Luke Whalen ’70

Dr. James R. Copeland ’72

Dr. Steven A. Hensley ’72

Dr. Robert E. Wynman ’72

Dr. Edward H. McCall ’73

Dr. Ronald R. Flores ’75

Dr. George Smith ’75

Dr. Robert Golden ’79

Dr. Peter A. Finocchiaro ’83

Dr. An Thuan Tran ’94

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden Dugoni Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden Dugoni Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment

Drs. Chester Jeng and Laura Lee-Jeng Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas McConnell Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dr. Raymond Chan Dugoni School Annual Fund

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Golden Dugoni Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment

If you are interested in making a memorial or tribute gift, contact the Development Office at (415) 929-6406 THANK YOU

Class of 1985

OLD SCHOOL

Asilomar Retreat

Each year since 1968, the graduating class has gathered for a retreat at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, joined by the five-year and 20-year reunion classes and several faculty members and administrators. Forty years ago, members of the Class of 1985 attended their first Asilomar Retreat as students and two decades later they returned to celebrate their 20-year reunion in 2005. These images capture the strong sense of camaraderie the Class of 1985 shared during both visits to Asilomar—as students and later as alumni.

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FRIDAY

FRIDAY 6 SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 – 24 Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco

Earn up to 12 CE units during our two-day meeting. Speakers and general topics include:

David S. Eshom '85 – Cosmetic Dentistry

Pina Johnson – Life Coaching

Lon McRae – Implants and Prosthetics

Matthew A. Nejad – CAD/CAM

Bernie Stoltz – Practice Management

Thomas A. Viola – Pharmacology

In addition, we’ll provide:

• The 40th Frederick T. West Orthodontic Lectureship featuring Dr. Brent E. Larson

• The 3rd Annual Alan H. Gluskin Endodontics Symposium with Drs. Craig A. Dunlap and Fabricio B. Teixeira

• Panel of Experts – Professionals who help dental practices (Accounting, banking, insurance, law, practice management)

• The student-led Dugoni Business Club’s 3rd annual networking event for dentists, hygienists and students

SATURDAY

Todd A. Fong – In-house Zirconia

Nicole L. Olivares – Periodontics

Jeffrey E. Rohde – Laser Dentistry

Wesley E. Wong '98 – In-house Zirconia

Yao-Lin Tang '94 – In-house Disilicates

Program:

• Lunch (separate fee) and reception on Friday

• Morning coffee and tea service

• A short Recognition Program will precede the reception where Dr. Wesley Wong ’98, 2025–2026 Alumni President and Dr. Elisa M. Chávez, Interim Dean, will present the Medallion of Distinction award to Dr. Homayon Asadi ‘88 and Elena M. Francisco, RDHAP, MS

Book your room at the Fairmont Hotel by December 22, 2025 to take advantage of our room block: https://book.passkey.com/go/DugoniSchoolofDentistry or 1-800-344-3550

The Dugoni School Gala – Bridging the Golden Age Saturday | 7:00 pm | San Francisco City Hall | 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco Includes class reunions ending in 1’s & 6’s. Separate invitation mailed and separate ticket purchase from the Development Office. Contact Development: Bridget Chau, bchau@pacific.edu

I’ve been fortunate to witness firsthand how helping underserved communities transforms both the patients being treated and the students who provide care. Outreach experiences teach lessons that can’t be learned in a classroom— about resilience, cultural humility and the profound impact of accessible health care. Too many talented students miss out on these opportunities simply because they can’t afford to participate. This endowment is about removing that barrier so every student, regardless of their financial situation, can grow through service and bring compassionate care to communities in need. The ripple effects of these experiences will last a lifetime.

—Dr. Aneet Randhawa, creator of the Rajinder Singh Randhawa and Surinder Kaur Randhawa Endowed Service Learning Assistance Fund