Awards & Achievements
Pitt Names New Dean
Bernard J. Costello, DMD, MD, professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, was named dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine on March 23. After serving as interim dean since February 2018, Dr. Costello began his deanship on April 1.
“ Dr. Costello is deeply committed to our School of Dental Medicine, its faculty and students, and their success,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher.“ I am pleased to welcome him— officially— to this role and excited to watch the school continue to flourish under his direction.”
Dr. Costello joined Pitt’ s faculty in 2001 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and he has served as the school’ s associate dean for faculty affairs and senior associate dean. He directed translational research for the School of Dental Medicine and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program until 2016, and he remains the fellowship director for pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery. Dr. Costello is chief of both the Division of Craniofacial and Cleft Surgery in the School of Dental Medicine and the Division of Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Children’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
“ We are fortunate that our own faculty member, with years of commitment to his School, to our University, and to our medical center, and who is recognized nationally and internationally for his research and clinical and educational achievements, has chosen to serve as our dean,” said Arthur Levine, Pitt’ s Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences Arthur Levine, MD.
Throughout his career, Dr. Costello has been published extensively and secured more than $ 6.6 million in grants and funding for his research, which has focused on bone scaffolding for craniofacial regeneration, the roles of various proteins in craniofacial regeneration and other aspects of bone tissue engineering.
“ As health care educators and researchers, we are tasked with providing new ideas and solutions to complex problems,” said Dr. Costello.“ I have seen the School of Dental Medicine grow and evolve over the years, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead our students and faculty into a future that is focused on advancing oral health care through interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration.”
Dr. Costello earned his bachelor of science in biological science from the University of Scranton, followed by doctorates in medicine and dental medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to Pitt, he completed training at the University of Pennsylvania Health System followed by the Georgetown University Medical Center. Costello is currently the president-elect of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
Penn Names New Dean
Mark Wolff will become the next Morton Amsterdam Dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine effective July 1.
Wolff is a celebrated teacher, globally engaged scholar, and deeply experienced clinician. He is currently professor and chair of cariology and comprehensive care at the College of Dentistry at New York University and also the College’ s senior associate dean for development and alumni relations.
“ Mark’ s career is notable for his commitment to superb clinical practice as well as excellence in scholarship, education, and community engagement,” Penn President Amy Gutmann said.“ When we met Mark, he told us that he has always loved his work and believed in dental medicine because dentists help make people smile. We too are smiling at the prospect of Mark joining Penn and partnering with the incredible faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of Penn Dental Medicine to bring this storied school to even greater heights.”
Since joining NYU in 2005, Wolff has brought bold and innovative thinking to the world’ s largest dental school. As chair of comprehensive care, he has led a diverse group of more than 400 faculty and staff with outstanding results; student pass rates on national boards are at near perfect levels and more than $ 20 million in research programs have been completed under his leadership.
At NYU, Wolff designed and implemented the world’ s largest electronic dental-health record and fully digital imaging system. He has also increased interprofessional educational opportunities for NYU dental students by creating an integrated case seminar series that brings dental students together with students in dental hygiene, social work, nutrition science, and
MAY / JUNE 2018 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 33