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Anne W. Manning – (901) 448-4072

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UT Health Science Center Appoints Mark Patters, DDS, PhD,

 

Interim Dean for the College of Dentistry,

 

Edward Schneider, PhD, Interim Dean for the

 

College of Graduate Health Sciences

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            Memphis, Tenn. (July 11, 2007) – Today, Hershel P. Wall, MD, interim chancellor for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), announced the appointment of two interim deans.  Mark Patters, DDS, PhD, will assume leadership for the UTHSC College of Dentistry in August when the current dean departs.  Edward Schneider, PhD, will take on responsibility for the College of Graduate Health Sciences at the end of July when the dean leaves.  The two UTHSC departing deans were hired to help start new programs for universities outside the Mid-South region.

“Mark and Ed have each made significant contributions to our colleges,” said Interim Chancellor Wall.  “Their long tenures at the Health Science Center and their experiences working with team members from every part of our UT family give them the insight and the stability to lead these two colleges during our search for the new deans.”

Dr. Patters began his career at UTHSC as professor and chair of Periodontology in 1988, remaining in that position for 15 years.  In 2003, he was named associate dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Dentistry.  He has also served for 10 years as program director for the Master’s of Dental Science, and director of Graduate Education and Programs for the College of Dentistry. 

Originally from Akron, Ohio, he attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, earning a BS and DDS.  He received his PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  During Dr. Patters’ distinguished career, he has received numerous grants, awards and invitations to join industry and organizational committees. 

            Dr. Schneider, who joined UTHSC in 1973, has more than four decades of experience as a scientist, teacher, lecturer, author and administrator.  He has worked as associate dean for the College of Graduate Health Sciences since 1997, and has simultaneously served as professor of Physiology and Biophysics.  Additionally, Dr. Schneider has been an active member of a variety of professional societies and has played a leading role in a wide range of institutional and professional activities.

Originally from Indianapolis, Ind., he earned an AB in zoology from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and his PhD in physiology from Indiana University in Bloomington.

Russell O. Gilpatrick, DDS, current dean of the UTHSC College of Dentistry, has been with the college for more than 19 years.  Richard D. Peppler, PhD, is leaving his role as dean for the UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences after 22 years with the Health Science Center.  

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is focused on a four-tier mission of education, research, clinical care and public service, all in support of a single goal: to improve the health of Tennesseans.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main campus, with its six colleges, is in Memphis.  UTHSC has additional College of Medicine campus locations in Knoxville and Chattanooga.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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