New semester brings new leadership at the Dental School
Kelley Kates
Issue date: 8/24/09 Section: News
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Assuming office Aug. 10, Pyle was chosen after a review of her long list of credentials and experience, proving her to be an exceptional choice for the position.
"Dr. Pyle has a strong record of academic excellence in dental education," said Dr. Robert Piepho, dean of the School of Pharmacy and chair of the Search Committee. "She is a nationally recognized leader in curricular reform and has demonstrated that she has excellent insight into a vision to take our School of Dentistry to the next level in education and research."
Pyle graduated in 1984 from Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry. She later married Ron Lemmo, also a general dentist, and has a daughter who is now studying Early Childhood Education at Walsh University.
She completed a general practice residency, a two-year fellowship in Geriatric Dentistry and later received her Master's in Education. She went on to teach Geriatric Dentistry and Physical Evaluation at Case School of Dentistry, her alma mater. There, she served as vice dean of the School of Dental Medicine from 2001 until 2009, when she joined the UMKC team.
"I am thrilled to join the UMKC School of Dentistry and the UMKC family," Pyle said. "The school has many distinguished faculty and programs that contribute significant positive impacts on the Kansas City region and beyond."
Gail Hackett, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, said Pyle is a great fit at UMKC.
"Dr. Pyle's appointment coincides with the recent $8.2 million legacy estate gift to our School of Dentistry, the largest in the dental school's history," Hackett said in a press release. "With her strong commitment to education and service to the community, Dr. Pyle's career reflects the historic mission of the school, which graduates 66 percent of Missouri's dentists and provides $5.5 million in free and reduced health care to more than 60,000 patients annually."
Pyle has been an active part of the American Dental Education Association and has held many leadership positions with the American Dental Association.
She has also helped lead national discussions on curriculum development and has experience in developing innovative curriculum in dental education.
She said she looks forward to her future at UMKC.
"From our educational programs to community service and a distinguished research program, we make a difference in many areas of dental and dental hygiene education," Pyle said. "It is an honor to serve here. I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students, alumni and our professional organizations to lead the School of Dentistry to even greater heights in the future."
kkates@unews.com
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