From Interim Dean Panagakos - A new academic year full of possibilities and challenges

The concept of making resolutions and goals is something many of us do at the start of a new calendar year. I know I take time at the end of the year to review the past 12 months and to plan for the next year. I am often very ambitious with my goal setting! Although many say this is arbitrary - you can set a new goal at any time - the turning of the calendar is often the motivation. I view the start of a new academic year similarly whether you are starting your academic journey, or you are embarking on the last stretch before graduation.

This month, we welcomed the DDS and Dental Hygiene classes of 2024 and the first-year post-graduates. It is exciting to see them all starting their journeys, which often passes by too quickly, as they develop and mature into the amazing dental health professionals WVU is known for producing. We also welcomed back the continuing students in both programs and returning post-graduate residents. Their journeys will continue, with some finishing this year. Exciting times!

This month, we also welcomed two new faculty to the school. Dr. Dami Kim, pediatric dentist, and Dr. Ben Kordusky, prosthodontist. Both have hit the ground running. It is exciting to welcome new members to our school team and we all look forward to the valuable contributions they will provide to our programs.

As we have all come to accept, this academic year will be unlike any in the past. COVID has created numerous challenges for higher education. We are fortunate that our school was able to resume elective patient care in May implementing enhanced procedures to protect our patients, faculty, staff and students. There are still dental schools that have not fully reopened, so I consider WVU School of Dentistry fortunate.

However, even with all the steps we have taken at the school, there is the risk that one of our community will be exposed to COVID. This has happened twice already, one resulting in a quarantine of the D1 class and the other resulting in the quarantining of a small number of D2 students. Plans are in place to ensure both groups of students will make up the time missed and continue in the DDS program without any delays. We must continue to be vigilant when outside of the school. Relaxing of our guard could result in exposure and subsequent quarantine for the individual and possibly others that they may have come into contact.

In spite of all the challenges, I am excited each and every day when I enter the school. I feel and draw strength from the positive energy, optimism and teamwork our community expresses. I am blessed to be part of this community. To all, be well. Take care of yourselves and each other, and Let's Go!