Dean’s High Five – March 2021

Everyday, there are special achievements and newsworthy headlines happening at the School of Dentistry. In effort to give proper acknowledgement 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.

Congratulations on your hard work – you make Detroit Mercy the place to lead and learn.


Children’s Hospital of Michigan partners with Detroit Mercy Dental Pediatric Clinic

Children’s Hospital of Michigan (CHM) has partnered with Detroit Mercy Dental to provide opportunities for specialty clinical education in pediatric dentistry. The CHM residency program will serve as a CODA-
approved site for residency care.


David Kacir named Michigan Dental Association Dental Faculty Award Recipient of University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry 2021

Congratulations to clinical associate professor David Kacir, who has been awarded the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Dental Faculty Award. This award recognizes an MDA member dentist who is actively involved in the education of dental or graduate dental students and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to organized dentistry. Kacir will be presented with the award during the virtual MDA House of Delegates meeting on April 17.


Rotary-Palav team delivers donated PPE

On Dec. 22, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North delivered boxes of personal protective equipment (PPE), gowns and gloves to the School of Dentistry to aid in the disparity of PPE during the global shortage.

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North partnered with other local and international Rotary Clubs and Novi-based medical volunteer group, Palav, on a $72,000 Global Grant from Rotary International Foundation titled “Pandemic Relief for Detroit Project.” The grant provided PPE donations to seven metro Detroit hospitals, medical clinics and nursing homes as well as cash assistance to nine food banks.

For more information on the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and the “Pandemic Relief for Detroit Project” please see www.rcaan.org.


Melanie Mayberry named Chair of the American Dental Education
Association – Annual Session Program Committee

Congratulations to Clinical Associate Professor and Division Director of Practice Essentials and Interprofessional Education Melanie Mayberry, who was named chair of the 2021 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Session Program Committee (ASPC). The ADEA ASPC is an ad hoc advisory committee that was established to assist in planning educational content and networking opportunities for the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition. Mayberry’s involvement was not only beneficial to all annual session guests, but she helped Detroit Mercy Dental attendees navigate the virtual program to get the most out of the event.


Great Expressions Dental Center donates to ADEA in honor of Dean Mert N. Aksu

Great Expressions Dental Centers has made a $5,000 donation to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Gies Foundation in honor of Dean Mert N. Aksu. Aksu was awarded the coveted 2021 Gies Award for Vision – Dental Educator on March 11 during the 2021 Gies @Home Awards virtual event.