Farewell to COD Faculty Member, Dr. Bruce Graham
Dr. Graham Photos Heading link
Dr. Bruce Graham Heading link
With a career spanning several decades, Dr. Graham has left a rich legacy in the field of dentistry and an even richer one at the UIC College of Dentistry. His efforts and dedication have enhanced an already sound dental curriculum, and will be remembered by every generation that’s changing the future of oral health.
When Dr. Graham retired in January, he had been a dental educator for 47 years. He became a dental educator to try to improve the dental education experience for dental students.
The first 18 years of his career were spent in dental schools at the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University in Canada. As a faculty member, Graham taught prosthodontics and professional ethics to dental students. For the final 9 years of his time at Dalhousie, Graham also served as Assistant Dean, then Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
In 1992, Graham moved to the University of Detroit Mercy, where he served as Dean of the School of Dentistry for eight years. In 2000, Graham was appointed as Dean of the UIC College of Dentistry, a role he had the honor and privilege to serve in for nearly 14 years. He then returned to the role of a faculty member for the final eight years of his career, serving as a facilitator for Case Based Learning sessions for our second-year dental students, and as a document-preparer for five successful faculty member promotion applications, conducting research into dental student academic integrity, and publishing two articles on the results of that research.
The 22 years that Graham spent at UIC COD were, without any doubt, the most rewarding years of his career. During his time as Dean, Graham worked with the College’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and corporate and philanthropic partners to make UIC COD one of the leading public research dental schools in the USA. Together, they made UIC COD one of the most diverse and inclusive dental schools in the country. Together, they experienced a $65M renovation of the College building that transformed the classroom, preclinical simulation, clinics, and research laboratory facilities.
As a close-knit colleague of his, Dr. Stephen Campbell, DDS, MMSc acknowledged how Graham’s work and initiative “set the Department and College on a pathway to excellence and special caring for the entire community.”
“The environment of trust and respect he created allowed the College to reach its full potential, advancing the COD to national stature and as leaders in the oral health educational community,” said Campbell.
Dr. Campbell will remember him “most significantly for leading and supporting the establishment of our Group Practice clinical model, Small Group Learning (SGL) environment, and Predoctoral Implant and Digital Dentistry Education.”
Dr. Stephen Campbell Quote Heading link
“The environment of trust and respect he created allowed the College to reach its full potential, advancing the COD to national stature and as leaders in the oral health educational community.”
Dr. Bruce Graham Heading link
Interim Dean Susan Rowan served as a faculty member and Predoctoral Managing Partner during Dr. Graham’s tenure as Dean of the college. She recognized the transformation made to the traditional DDS curriculum under his leadership.
“Together, the faculty, staff and students created an innovative DMD curriculum, with Case Based Learning, Group Practice Clinics and Community Based clinical learning experiences at its core. Furthermore, the establishment of the Group Practice Comprehensive Care model ensured excellence in student learning and patient centered care”.
Together, the faculty, staff and students increased the College’s research creativity and productivity in such fields as wound healing, tissue engineering, biomaterials science, and cancer. Then they used that strong research foundation to establish the College’s first DMD/PhD Program. Together, the faculty, staff and postgraduate students strengthened the six dental specialty programs to establish them as preeminent in US dental education. And these are just a few examples of what the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and corporate partners accomplished together during those 14 short years.
Dr. Rowan quote Heading link
Together, the faculty, staff and students created an innovative DMD curriculum, with Case Based Learning, Group Practice Clinics and Community Based clinical learning experiences at its core. Furthermore, the establishment of the Group Practice Comprehensive Care model ensured excellence in student learning and patient centered care.
Dr. Wu section Heading link
Another colleague of Dr. Graham’s, Dr. Wu, M.S., Ph.D. recognized him for his dedication to the College and “a lifetime of faithful service to the dental profession.”
“I am most thankful and proud to have served, under his leadership, as the first female Associate Dean for Research at the College of Dentistry,” said Wu. “His encouragement, guidance and support have had tremendous impact on my professional and personal growth. As our Dean, he has led the College with integrity, respect and compassion.”
Having worked closely with Graham as Associate Dean, Dr. Wu has been at the forefront of the growth and efforts spearheaded by the former Dean. Dr. Wu is “confident that his retirement will be filled with happy memories and anticipation for the future as he begins this new phase in life.”
Dr. Christine Wu Quote Heading link
“I am most thankful and proud to have served, under his leadership, as the first female Associate Dean for Research at the College of Dentistry. His encouragement, guidance and support have had tremendous impact on my professional and personal growth. As our Dean, he has led the College with integrity, respect and compassion.”
Dr. Bruce Graham Heading link
Dr. Graham couldn’t be prouder of the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and corporate and philanthropic partners of UIC COD, and he couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to serve as its dean and then as one of its faculty members during the best years of his career.
“We are forever deeply indebted to you, thank you so much. Good luck in your retirement,” said Campbell.
“No matter where your new path will take you, we will always remember the dedication, sacrifices, time, and service you have given us over the years. Congratulations, Bruce!” said Wu.