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