December 19, 2019

Faculty development took new forms during a series of activities recently hosted by the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

On Monday, Dec. 16, a group of dental educators from across the west coast gathered for a Western Region Dental Schools Teaching and Learning Workshop organized by the Dugoni School’s Academic Affairs department. Attendees included educators from the A.T. Still University, Midwestern University, Western University of Health Sciences, UC San Francisco, UC Los Angeles, University of Southern California and the Dugoni School. The workshop was developed to help attendees exchange teaching and learning resources; identify area for cross-institutional collaboration; and to facilitate networking. After a tour of the school, the group met to discuss online learning, faculty development and calibration, Integrated National Dental Board Exam preparation resources and other topics, then enjoyed a group dinner to network.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Dugoni School held its quarterly Faculty Development Day organized by the Dental Faculty Council, featuring members of the school faculty and several special guests. A morning session featured Dr. Magali Fassiotto, assistant dean for Faculty Development and Diversity at Stanford University School of Medicine who presented “Unconscious Bias in Medicine.” Aimed at those in medical and dental education, her wide-ranging talk covered topics such as cognitive shortcuts and implicit associations and research about bias within our society. She spotlighted examples and consequences of bias in clinical care, and offered advice to attendees about being aware of their own biases and addressing them in themselves and others. The session also included bias case studies with Q&A discussions among the group.

In the afternoon, eight educators presented innovative — and effective — ideas during the 4th Annual Teaching and Learning Showcase session, organized by Dr. Sinky Zheng. Dugoni School faculty members as well as guests from Western University of Health Sciences, University of Southern California, and the University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the department of Philosophy each were allowed 15 minutes to showcase their innovative instructional strategies. These eight presenters were chosen from a field of 16 applicants by a panel of Dugoni School judges prior to the event. Topics included virtual learning platforms, classroom gameplay, critical thinking skills, augmented reality, use of argument maps, active learning with videos, combining adaptive learning and team-based learning, and advanced features of ExamSoft.

In addition, Dugoni School faculty members Dr. Eduardo Gonzales, Dr. Bina Surti, Dr. Michael Tiller, assistant professors in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, presented “Digital Dentistry at Pacific,” showcasing how technology is being implemented to support educational and clinical success for students, residents and patients. 

Dr. Dennis Shinbori ’75, a long-time Dugoni School part-time faculty member and supporter, was also recognized during the day’s activities. For 45 years, since graduating in 1975, he has touched the lives of more than 7,000 graduates and mentored many faculty members. Dean Nadershahi announced that the Dugoni School has recognized him with the status of Faculty Emeritus, an official designation bestowed by University of the Pacific. The Dugoni School’s Alumni Association will also be recognizing his many contributions to the continuing dental education component of the Annual Meeting, and his involvement as program chair. The Alumni Association will feature the Dennis D. Shinbori Endowed Lectureship Speaker. The Endowed Lectureship underscores Dr. Shinbori’s impact on the profession and the Dugoni School will be recognized in perpetuity.

In addition, the Dugoni School’s Dental Faculty Council awarded Dr. Shinbori the 2020 Distinguished Faculty Award – the highest award given by the council – in recognition of his impact as a faculty member.

Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications, 415.929.6434, pr@pacific.edu

Categories: Administration, Faculty, 2019

Contact: Office of Marketing and Communications, 415.929.6434, pr@pacific.edu