Bio Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H. joined the University of Florida College of Dentistry as Dean on Feb. 16, 2015, after retiring from the U.S. Public Health Service in 2014 as a Rear Admiral (lower half). Dr. Garcia’s career spans 34 years in public health, clinical practice, research, teaching and administration at the local, state and national levels. She joined the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) in 1995, where she held multiple leadership roles. She led NIDCR’s science transfer efforts, directed the Institute’s Office of Science Policy and Analysis and served as Acting Director from 2010-2011. Dr. Garcia also served as the institute’s coordinator for global health and became Director of NIDCR’s Residency in Dental Public Health program in 2005. As Deputy Director of the NIDCR, she shared responsibility for the oversight and management of programs and functions within the institute, which included a staff of more than 400 scientists and
administrators dedicated to research, training, science policy, health education, communications and financial management. Dr. Garcia received a D.D.S. in 1980 from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and an M.P.H. from the University of Michigan in 1988. She subsequently completed a residency in dental public health at the University of Michigan and a fellowship in primary care policy from the U.S. Public Health Service. While pursuing her master’s degree, Dr. Garcia was a lecturer and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. She later served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. The recipient of numerous honors and awards, Dr. Garcia has received the NIH Director’s Award for Mentoring, the American Association for Dental Research’s Jack Hein Public Service Award, and the U.S. Public Health Service Jack D. Robertson Award for outstanding long-term dedication and service to improve the oral health of the nation. A fellow of the American College of Dentists, she is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health, one of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, and is an active member of the American Dental Education Association, the International Association for Dental Research and the American Dental Associations. |