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News Notes
Peter Polverini Named New Dean of University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Peter Polverini, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, has been named dean of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Polverini's appointment is effective July 1, 2003, pending approval by the University of Michigan Board of Regents.
"On behalf of his colleagues in the Academic Health Center, we're truly sorry to see Peter leave Minnesota but fully understand and support the decision he's made to get back to family and friends in Michigan," said Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences. "He's had a significant and positive impact on the School of Dentistry, by actively confronting the challenges of funding for health professional education, enhancing the research mission of the school, and appropriately engaging faculty in governance decisions."
During his nearly three-year tenure as dean, Polverini initiated a restructuring of the administrative structure within the School of Dentistry to return decision-making authority and budgetary control of programs to department heads and faculty members responsible for those programs. The school also enhanced student services, increased community outreach programs,launched a community-based education facility in Hibbing, and increased public-private partnerships. These partnerships resulted in both the creation of a state-of-the-art surgical and restorative clinic in the school's Moos Tower facility, and a new, mobile dental unit. In Fall, 2002, the School of Dentistry also launched a first-of-its-kind regional program for advanced interdisciplinary training in craniofacial research.
Polverini, a former chair of the department of oral medicine/pathology/oncology at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, was named dean of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in August, 2000. He is a charter member of the National Cancer Institute's Subcommittee C, Basic and Preclinical Sciences review committee, on the editorial board of
Laboratory Investigation and the Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine,
and is an associate editor of the journal
Angiogenesis.
Polverini also has an active NIH funded research program that focuses on angiogenic signaling pathways, gene expression, and cell survival mechanisms pertinent to tumor development and angiogenesis-dependent diseases.
Said Cerra: "It is clear that Minnesota's School of Dentistry has developed momentum that will carry it through this transition in leadership. We've already begun the process of meeting with faculty and staff to discuss our next steps to ensure continued strong leadership in the School of Dentistry."
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state's only dental school, graduating dentists, hygienists, specialists and researchers committed to discovering new knowledge, technology and skills to benefit the profession and the community it serves.
CDC Issues New Hand Hygiene Guideline
To improve adherence to hand hygiene in health care settings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a new Hand Hygiene Guideline for all health care personnel.
In addition, in 2003 the CDC and the American Dental Association will be issuing revised recommendations for infection control in the dental office.
According to the CDC, using gloves in health care settings will reduce hand-and cross-contamination by only 70 to 80%, so that the need for hand hygiene is clear.
In addition to regular hand washing with soap and water, the CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. This recommendation was made to address obstacles to frequent hand washing in health care settings. Alcohol hand rubs are fast acting, and skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis due to them is very uncommon.
"Clean hands are the single most important factor in preventing the spread of dangerous germs and antibiotic resistance in health care settings," says Juliet Gerberding, M.D., director of the CDC.
The complete guideline is available online at
www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/
or by calling 1-404-639-3286.
From
www.ADA.org
, Today's News,
November 27, 2002.
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