ADEA National Advocacy Network

ADEA Volunteer Advocacy Coordinators (VAC)

ADEA Volunteer Advocacy Coordinators serve as the focal point for coordinating and carrying out advocacy activities on behalf of ADEA at their respective dental institutions. Volunteer Advocacy Coordinators are the first point of contact who work closely with their deans to mobilize ADEA members and other strategic partners on important ADEA policy priorities. Coordinators also work with deans to identify new advocacy partners and are most frequently the individuals who advise, assist, and coordinate logistics associated with Field Advocacy Workshops when hosted at their institutions. Coordinators assist ADEA by:

1. Responding to ADEA-AADR requests for legislative action.

2. Coordinating and collaborating on advocacy activities with other academic, research, and dental groups in the state.

3. Reporting advocacy activities, including contact(s) with legislators and other public officials in response to ADEA requests for legislative action.

4. Helping ADEA develop lists of potential advocates from the institution as well as among other stakeholder groups.

5. Arranging the exchange and communication of advocacy information and recruiting others to participate in ADEA legislative activities.

6. Identifying potential spokespersons for oral health, dental education, and dental research.

7. Coordinating the collection of information on model programs, innovative projects, and activities of their academic dental institution.

Alabama

Madelyn Coar, D.M.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Diversity
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry

Arizona

Dr. Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Dean
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health

California

Jonelle A. Stephens, RDH, Ed.S.
Professor and Chair
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry

Karen H. Lefever, Ph.D.
Academic Program Coordinator
School of Dentistry, Center for Health Sciences
University of California, Los Angeles

Cindy Lyon, RDH, D.D.S.
Acting Chair, Department of Dental Practice
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

Eugene Sekiguchi, D.D.S., M.S.E.E., B.S.E.E.
Associate Dean
International, Professional and Legislative Affairs
University of Southern California School of Dentistry

Colorado

Randy L. Kluender, D.D.S., M.S.
Associate Dean, Admissions, Student Affairs and Dental Specialty Services
University of Colorado School of Dentistry

Connecticut

Jaqueline P. Duncan, D.M.D.
Director of Predoctoral Prosthodontics
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine

District of Columbia

Donna Grant-Mills, R.D.S., D.D.S., M.Ed.
Assistant Professor
Howard University College of Dentistry

Florida

Stephen N. Abel, D.D.S., M.S.
Director, Extramural Programs
NOVA Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine

Teresa A. Dolan, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Dean
University of Florida College of Dentistry

Georgia

Richard S. Callan, D.M.D.
Assistant Professor, Oral Rehabilitation
Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry

Illinois

S. William Whitson, Ph.D.
Professor of Anatomy
Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine

William S. Bike
Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs Communications
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry

Indiana

Joan E. Kowolik, B.S.D., L.D.S. R.C.S. Edin.
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry
Indiana University School of Dentistry

Iowa

Georgia K. Johnson, D.D.S.
Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics
University of Iowa College of Dentistry

Kentucky

Kim Harris
Development Officer
University of Kentucky College of Dentistry

Melanie R. Peterson, D.M.D., M.B.A.
Associate Dean for Clinics
and Post-Doctoral Education
University of Louisville School of Dentistry

Louisiana

Robert E. Barsley, D.D.S., J.D.
Director of Hospital Affairs
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry

Maryland

Grishonda Branch-Mays, D.D.S, M.S.
Assistant Professor
Department of Periodontics
University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School

Massachusetts

Michelle Henshaw, D.D.S., M.P.H.,
Director, Division of Community Health Programs
Boston University School of Dental Medicine

Elsbeth Kalenderian, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs
Harvard School of Dental Medicine

David Russell, D.M.D.
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Michigan

Gary Jeffers, D.D.S.
Assistant to the Dean for Legislative Affairs
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Amid I. Ismail, B.D.S., M.P.H., M.B.A., Dr.P.H.
Professor
University of Michigan School of Dentistry

Minnesota

Gary C. Anderson, D.D.S.
Senior Associate Dean
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

Mississippi

James Lott, D.M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Care Planning and RestorativeSciences
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry

Missouri

Michael J. Reed, B.D.S., Ph.D.
Dean
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry

Nebraska

Mark A. Latta, D.M.D., M.S.
Associate Dean for Research
Creighton University School of Dentistry

Peter M. Spalding, D.D.S., M.S., M.S.
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Growth and Development
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry

Nevada

R. Michael Sanders, D.M.D., M.P.H., Ed.M.
Professor, Clinical Sciences
University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine

New Jersey

Arnold Rosenheck, D.M.D.
Assistant Dean for Hospital Affairs
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey New Jersey Dental School

New York

Stephen Marshall, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Associate Dean, Extramural Programs
Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery

Andrew Spielman, D.M.D., M.S., Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Curriculum Professor of Basic Science
New York University College of Dentistry

Elise S. Eisenberg, D.D.S., M.A
Director of Dental Informatics
New York University College Of Dentistry

Joseph Bernat, D.D.S., M.S.
Chair, Department of Pediatric and
Community Dentistry
State University of New York at Buffalo
School of Dentistry

Maria Emanuel Ryan, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Clinical Research
University at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
South Campus

North Carolina

Mary C. George, RDH, M.Ed.
Director, Allied Dental Education Program
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of Dentistry

Ohio

Ronald L. Occhionero, D.D.S.
Associate Dean Administration
Case School of Dental Medicine

Carole A. Anderson, M.S., Ph.D.
Vice Provost and Interim Dean
The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Oklahoma

Kevin L. Haney, D.D.S., M.S.
Associate Professor and Co-Chairman, Department of PediatricDentistry
University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry

Oregon

Ron Sakaguchi, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Technology and Innovation
Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry

Pennsylvania

Robert Collins, D.M.D., M.P.H.
Division Chief
Community Oral Health
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Robert J. Weyant, M.S., D.M.D, Dr.P.H.
Chairman, Department of Dental Public Health
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine

Lisa Deem, D.M.D., J.D.
Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs
Temple University School of Dentistry

PUERTO RICO
Ramon Gonzales, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Assistant Dean for Graduate Dental Education
Medical Sciences Campus
University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine

South Carolina

Charles R. Hook, D.M.D.
Special Assistant to the Dean
Medical University of South Carolina
College of Dental Medicine

Tennesee

Edwin Hines, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Professor
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry

Wisdom Coleman, D.D.S.
Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Affairs
University of Tennessee College of Dentistry

Texas

Robert D. Spears, M.S., Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences
Baylor College of Dentistry

M. Elaine Neenan, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H.
Associate Dean for External Affairs
University of Texas Health Science Center
at San Antonio Dental School

Sheila H. Koh, D.D.S., R.N. D.B.B.
Professor, General Practice Residency Program
University of Texas Health Science Center-
Dental Branch

Virginia

Rebecca G. Pousson, M.B.A.
Assistant Dean, Patient and Staff Services
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Kim T. Isringhausen, RDH, M.P.H.
Director, Dental Hygiene
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Washington

Jennifer Grant
Assistant to the Dean
University of Washington School of Dentistry

West Virginia

Richard M. Crout, D.D.S., M.S.
Associate Dean for Research
West Virginia University School of Dentistry

Wisconsin

William K. Lobb, D.D.S., M.S.,
Dean
Marquette University School of Dentistry