Lasting Impressions | Fall 2014

42 © LASTING IMPRESSIONS CDM Impressions CDM Dean Appointed to U.S. Committee Linda Niessen, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P., dean of the College of Dental Medicine, has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medi- cine and Dentistry by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Niessen’s term runs through August 31, 2016. The Advisory Committee provides advice and recom- mendations on policy and program development to the U.S. Secretary, and is responsible for submitting an annual report to the Secretary and Congress concerning certain activities of the Public Health Service Act (PHS). The Advisory Committee also develops, publishes, and implements performance measures and evaluations of certain sections of the PHS Act. “It is truly an honor to be appointed by Secretary Sebelius to represent the field of dentistry and Nova Southeastern University on a national scale,” said Nies- sen. “The Advisory Committee, through its policy rec- ommendations, has the ability to improve the health of our Florida residents and the U.S. population through innovative health professional training programs.” The Advisory Committee is composed of 17 members including practicing health professionals engaged in training, leaders from health professions organizations, faculty from health professions educational institutions, and health professionals from public or private teaching hospitals or community-based settings. Among other leadership positions, Niessen has been elected as a council delegate representing the Dentistry and Oral Health Sciences Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an organization that seeks to advance science, engi- neering, and innovation throughout the world and pub- lishes the journal, Science . In this role, Niessen will serve a three-year term. Niessen joined NSU in October 2013. She previously served as a clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Texas A&M University’s Baylor College of Dentistry. While at Baylor, Niessen devel- oped and directed a dental public health residency pro- gram and partnered with faculty members at the Uni- versity of North Texas Health Science Center College of Osteopathic Medicine to start a geriatric dentistry and medicine fellowship. u Annual Event Creates Smiles Approximately 325 children were given a reason to smile thanks to the CDM’s student and faculty member volunteers during the annual Give Kids A Smile event. Nearly 300 volunteers from the CDM provided limited pro bono dental services, valued at more than $100,000, to South Florida children ages 2–18 as part of the Give Kids A Smile Day held last spring. In addition, the more than 1,000 attendees, includ- ing the children and their family members, enjoyed a fun carnival atmosphere with Miami Dolphins’ player Marcus Thigpen, the Dolphins’ cheerleaders, face painters, a clown, magicians, music, and mascot Timmy the Tooth. The CDM faculty members donate their time and supervise dental students during this community service event. Give Kids A Smile sponsors included Henry Schein, American Student Dental Association, and the NSU College of Dental Medicine’s Student Government Association. u Give Kids A Smile is an annual event.