School of Dentistry's 50th Anniversary Celebration Recap

The School of Dentistry, in partnership with the Office of Institutional Advancement, hosted their virtual 50th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. The evening opened with a recorded message from San Antonio Mayor, Ron Nirenberg who congratulated the school on its “historic milestone” and “continuing a trajectory of success” over the course of its 50 years. Dean Peter M. Loomer, BSc, DDS, PhD, MRCD(C), FACD, led viewers through an exciting hour filled with messages from surprise special guests, announcements on remarkable donor gifts, the presentation of the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award, and the opening of the school’s time capsule. President William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, in a statement read by Dr. Loomer, described that the School of Dentistry’s reputation has been exceptional since inception and credits the leadership of Dr. Loomer and former deans, Kenneth L. Kalkwarf, DDS, MS, and William W. Dodge, DDS, for its current ranking among the top 10 dental schools in the nation. Several special guests joined the celebration and viewers were treated to their congratulatory messages. These guests included Texas Dental Association President, Jacqueline M. Plemons, DDS, MS, Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association President, Marian Tajchman, RDH, MS, and San Antonio District Dental Society (SADDS) President, Christina Meiners, DDS ‘10. As president of SADDS, Dr. Meiners presented the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry with a Service Recognition Award to honor its 50 years of service to the dental profession. The alumni of the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry also wished to honor someone they felt has contributed greatly to the profession. On their behalf, Dean Loomer presented the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award to C. Roger Macias, Jr., DDS Class of 1983, who graciously accepted the honor via live stream with his wife, Esther, at his side. Continuing with the celebration, Dean Loomer made a special announcement about the future of the School of Dentistry, which he revealed is in a “rapid growth phase”. He shared that several new programs are under development such as the expansion of the dental hygiene program to Laredo, Texas, a General Practice Residency program that will be affiliated with the new UTHSA multispecialty/research hospital, a dental anesthesia program, and a program in special care dentistry. Access to specialized dental care for patients with cognitive and physical disabilities has become a major interest for Dean Loomer upon discovering this need in Central and South Texas. He has identified space for a new special care clinic that will increase access to specialized dental care while also offering training opportunities to dental and dental hygiene students. Upon graduation, these oral health professionals will be competent in this type of care for both children and adults. Dr. Phil and Mrs. Karen Hunke are tremendous champions of this cause and in a video message, Dr. Hunke announced that he and his wife, Karen, have decided to gift the school $500,000 to establish the new Phil and Karen Hunke Special Care Clinic, the first dental clinic of its kind in a Texas academic setting. This clinic will be dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of San Antonio’s community members. Over the course of the hour, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the school were also generously pledging gifts in tribute of the golden anniversary. Bien-Air Dental, a Swiss micromotor manufacturer, graciously offered to match up to $10,000 in gifts made throughout the evening. At last count, a remarkable $24,445 had been raised for the school and its programs, bringing the total to date at $34,445 including Bien-Air Dental’s gift. The School wishes to thank Dr. Phil and Mrs. Karen Hunke, Bien-Air Dental, Kendra Scott at the Quarry Village, the Office of Institutional Advancement, and all the faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends, past and present, who have supported the School’s mission to make lives better. View a recording of the entire School of Dentistry’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, including the opening of the time capsule and a virtual tour of the Center for Oral Health Care and Research.