MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE-ARIZONA
GLENDALE, ARIZONA (Nov. 2, 2009) With two classes of 111 students underway and a 244-chair dental clinic set to open in late spring, the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona continues to grow. On October 22, Midwestern University President and CEO Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., announced two important changes in its leadership to help steward this growth.
Richard J. Simonsen, D.D.S., M.S., Founding Dean of the College, has accepted a new position as Senior Consultant for Dental Education to advance the University’s program offerings within dental medicine. As Dean, he has been instrumental in assembling a very strong faculty and staff, recruiting two classes of enthusiastic dental students, and effectively designing an innovative curriculum. In his new role, he will be investigating a new degree program in dental hygiene and will continue to assist the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona in admissions, grant writing, fund raising, and exploring new opportunities for inter-disciplinary education.
Russell Gilpatrick, D.D.S., has been appointed as Dean of the College. Dr. Gilpatrick has served as the Associate Dean of Dental Medicine since the College opened in 2008, joining Midwestern University after four years as the Dean of the College of Dentistry for the University of Tennessee. He brings to the College a deep understanding of the program, the curriculum, the culture, and the educational philosophy, as well as excellent experience in dental education.
For more information about Midwestern University and the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, go to www.midwestern.edu or call 623/572-3500.
Midwestern University is a graduate degree-granting institution specializing in the health sciences with seven colleges and two campuses. The Illinois campus, located on a 105-acre site in Downers Grove, is home to 2,082 students and three colleges: the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Chicago College of Pharmacy, and the College of Health Sciences. The Arizona campus, located on a 144-acre site in Glendale, is home to 2,079 students and five colleges: the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Pharmacy-Glendale, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, and the Arizona College of Optometry. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.