Editing staff and publisher		Around Campus: Volume 5 Our Alumni Award Scholarship Winners Say A Record-Setting Amount! Alumni Association Awards $32,300 to Students and $4,000 for Summer Research The Best of the Best A Quiet Leader Takes the Helm Commencement '99: An Open Book Officers of the Dental Alumni Association for 1999-2001 NJDS Saddened by Passing of Dr. Frank Quaranta
		Our Alumni Award Scholarship Winners Say Maura Conniff ('99) Exemplary Student Award I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Scholarship Committee of the Dental Alumni Association for bestowing on me the honor of an Exemplary Student Award. Having been the recipient of an alumni scholarship last year, I feel truly privileged to have been recognized once again by the Association. I look forward to graduating and joining the alumni ranks. Thanks again for your generosity. Suzanne Quigley ('99) Exemplary Student Award I wish to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to all of you for selecting me as a recipient of a Dental Alumni Exemplary Student Award. It is an honor to be recognized and generously rewarded for my achievement. I am looking forward to becoming an alumni member in your association. Kimberly Perkins ('00) Dental Alumni Scholarship I would like to thank the entire committee for considering me as a recipient of the Dental Alumni Scholarship. The award will help a great deal with lightening my financial load during the next academic year. Andrew Ruvo ('01) Dental Alumni Scholarship I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the generous scholarship that you have chosen to award me. It is an honor to have been selected, not to mention the fact that it will significantly reduce my financial indebtedness over the course of dental school. Joshua Epstein ('99) Dr. Michael Balbo Memorial Scholarship With the deepest gratitude I thank the Scholarship Committee for selecting me as the recipient of the Dr. Michael Balbo Memorial Scholarship. I am most appreciative of the honor and am extremely proud to be recognized by the Dental Alumni Association. These words cannot begin to express the depth of my emotions at this time. I am certain that this honor will be one of the highlights of my professional educational experience. The Alumni Association has reached out to the student body during my four years at New Jersey Dental School and has continually served as a positive force in my educational maturation. I hope that I will be able to follow in this fine tradition of service to the school. It gives me great pleasure to call myself a New Jersey Dental School alumnus. Thank you so much for bestowing this distinguished award upon me. David Caggiano ('01) Exemplary Student Award I would like to thank you for your generosity regarding the recent scholarship that you have granted me. The scholarship is appreciated immensely and will help alleviate some of the financial burden of my third year of dental school at UMDNJ. Suzanne B. Reinhardt ('00) Dental Alumni Scholarship I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Dental Alumni Association for its generous scholarship. The monetary assistance that the Alumni Association has afforded me is very helpful. Perhaps more rewarding is to have my achievements at New Jersey Dental School recognized by individuals who have graduated from this institution. The confidence the alumni have shown in me is inspiring. Thank you again for awarding me a Dental Alumni Scholarship.   (Go back to the top)
		A Record-Setting Amount! Alumni Association Awards $32,300 to Students and $4,000 for Summer Research Dental Alumni Scholarships Class of 2000 Kimberly Anne Perkins- $3,000 Dental Alumni Scholarship Suzanne B. Reinhardt- $3,000 Dental Alumni Scholarship Class of 2001 Andrew T. Ruvo- $3,000 Dental Alumni Scholarshi Named Scholarships Class of 1999 Joshua Epstein- $2,000 Dr. Michael Balbo Memorial Scholarship Class of 2000 Jane Borges- $1,000 Dr. Irwin Quinn Scholarship Gerald Lorino- $1,000 The Alphonse & Mary Mercantini Memorial Scholarship David Moran- $1,000 Robert Cinotti Scholarship Jason Pellegrino- $1,000 Dr. Frank Serini Scholarship Gila Sandhaus- $1,000 The R.L. Garner Memorial Scholarship Joseph Silverman- $2,000 Dr. Edward J. Stepka, Jr., Scholarship Class of 2001 Christopher Arena- $1,000 Mildred Battaglia Memorial Scholarship Dental Alumni Awards Lauren C. Hebel ('99) - $1,000 Dr. Frank Frates Outstanding Clinician Award Nina Ranaldi-O'Connell ('99) - $300 Dr. Edward Wolfson DAU Award Maura Conniff ('99) - $3,000 Exemplary Student Award Patricia Anne Gardner ('99) - $3,000 Exemplary Student Award Suzanne Quigley ('99) - $3,000 Exemplary Student Award David Caggiano ('01) - $3,000 Exemplary Student Award   Awards from External Organizations Academy of Dental Materials Xueyu Shen Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Award Edward Jackson Academy of General Dentistry Award Jason Karns Academy of Operative Dentistry Award Chi Ip Alpha Omega National Fraternity Award Scott Galkin Alumni Leadership Awards David Lipani, Christopher Perry American Academy of Dental Practice Administration Award Ricki Krantz American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Award Stephen Grober American Academy of Gold Foil Operators Award Nina Ranaldi-O'Connell American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award Alicia Gray American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award Nina Ranaldi-O'Connell American Academy of Oral Medicine Award Joseph Ramellini American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award Gabrielle Ramellini American Academy of Periodontology Award Yelena Nutskovsky American Association of Endodontists Award Alicia Gray American Association of Oral Biologists Joshua Epstein American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award David Lipani American Association of Orthodontists Award Suzanne Quigley American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award David Chei American Association of Women Dentists Award Shefali Pandya American College of Dentists, N.J. Section Award Donna Babyak American College of Prosthodontists Award Didier Guillaume American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Award Chi Ip American Equilibration Society Award Chi Ip American Society of Dentistry for Children Award Edward Jackson Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., M.D. , Medal of Excellence David Lipani Bloomfield Health Careers Foundation Distinguished Service Award Fabio Apolito Crest Award for Excellence in Preventive Dentistry for the Elderly Robin Jones Dentsply International Award Lauren Hebel Fauchard Dental Society of New Jersey Awards Alexander Anastasiou, Maura Conniff, Suzanne Quigley Dr. Robert E. Gillis Memorial Award Alicia Gray Uriel Gunthorpe Award Alicia Gray International College of Dentists Award Alicia Gray International Congress of Oral Implantologists Award Joshua Epstein Chesky Kleiner Humanitarian Award Maura Conniff Medico Dental Media International, Inc. Award Scott Galkin National Society of Dental Practitioners Award Alicia Gray New Jersey Academy of General Dentistry Award Christopher Perry New Jersey Dental Association Award Alicia Gray New Jersey Dental School Distinguished Service Awards Maura Conniff, Jay Greenfield, David Lipani, Christopher Perry New Jersey Society of Dentistry for Children Awards Alexander Anastasiou, Scott Galkin, Elisa Velazquez Northeastern Society of Periodontics, Inc. Award Jay Greenfield Organization of Teachers of Oral Diagnosis Award Joshua Epstein Pierre Fauchard Academy Award Chi Ip Quintessence Award for Achievement in Periodontics Patricia Gardner Quintessence Award for Research Achievement Xueyu Shen Quintessence Award for Achievement in Restorative Dentistry Christopher Devlin Teledyne Water Pik Award Patricia Gardner For a listing of OKU award winners, see page 33.   (Go back to the top)
		The Best of the Best Congratulations to Ms. Lynn Conley, B.S., and Ms. Frances Devonshire, R.N., B.S.N., for capturing two of this year's University Excellence Awards. "To receive the University Excellence Award is a distinguished honor," says Ms. Conley, director of Clinical Support Services for the Office for Clinical Affairs, who won in the Service to the University category. "To be recognized by one's colleagues as being the best is a privilege that will be appreciated forever." Ms. Devonshire, nursing care coordinator for the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was honored in the Support for University Quality of Life category. "As a nurse for many years in oral surgery in the Dental School, I am elated to be honored with this award," she says. "This recognition from my peers makes me feel so special and appreciated. Personally, this award means the support given to our patients, students, and each other is by far the best 'care' to give." The awards program recognizes full-time UMDNJ faculty and staff who have demonstrated a consistently high level of achievement and made significant contributions to advance the position of the University toward excellence.     (Go back to the top)
		A Quiet Leader Takes the Helm by Dr. Arnold H. Rosenheck The inauguration ceremony for Dr. Stuart Cook, UMDNJ's second president, was held on April 9 at the Robert Wood Johnson Academic Health Center in New Brunswick, N.J. On April 15, the NJDS hosted a reception to welcome the new president. Below, Dr. Arnold H. Rosenheck, assistant dean for Hospital Affairs and Institutional Development, shares his impressions of the reception. The excitement was pervasive throughout the atrium. The odors of exotic cheeses, hors d'oeurves, and fruits hung like sweet vapors over the heads of the crowd. Music from a simpler time formed a soothing backdrop for the entrance of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's new leader, Dr. Stuart D. Cook. The Dental School was expressing its approval and joy at the arrival of our new president on the occasion of his inauguration. The crowd drew in surrounding the platform that hung suspended between C and D levels as former Dean Robert Saporito eloquently made the official introduction of Dr. Cook to the Dental School family. A man of quiet, thoughtful words, Dr. Cook outlined his vision for the university's future. One could not fail to think of another quiet leader whose sagacious vision for our country brought us through the Civil War. We applauded when he was finished and pressed forward as he came to mingle with the waiting throng. The thought passed through our minds that the university is in very good hands.     (Go back to the top)
		Commencement '99: An Open Book by Dr. Arnold H. Rosenheck As a chapter in time draws to a close, a new chapter in life begins for the Class of '99. The first page in this story was written at Commencement on May 26, when 67 NJDS seniors received their diplomas at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Like many classic tales, this year's graduating class had family as a recurring theme. Dr. Richard DelBoccio followed his brother, Dr. Scott DelBoccio ('95) in the NJDS tradition. At least two alumni had special cause to celebrate: Dr. Melvin Hebel (M'72) watched as his daughter, Dr. Lauren Hebel, received her diploma, and Dr. J. Phillip Kurtz ('71) welcomed his son, Dr. Marshall Kurtz, to the NJDS alumni family. For action and adventure, there were graduates who entered military service, such as Drs. Gabrielle Larrea and Joseph Ramellini. In addition to pledging to serve the Air Force, these two pledged marriage vows to each other. For another love story, turn to Drs. Robin Jones and Didier Guillaume. Following a June wedding in Atlanta, the couple are embarking on their residencies at UMDNJ. May each "life book" of the Class of '99 contain many pages and end happily ever after. Congratulations to all!     (Go back to the top)
		Officers of the Dental Alumni Association for 1999-2001 President­Dr. Peter L. DeSciscio ('85) is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International. Dr. DeSciscio is the immediate past president of the New Jersey Academy of General Dentistry; he currently serves as the director of the Dental General Practice Residency at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J. He is the vice president for the Middlesex County Dental Society, a member of the New Jersey Dental Association Council for Dental Education, and maintains two private practices in New Jersey. President-Elect­Dr. Mimi Vella ('63) holds a certificate in orthodontics from Fairleigh Dickinson University, served as a Clinical Attending in Beth Israel Dental Department in New York, and as a clinical assistant professor in the Oral-Facial Pain Clinic at UMDNJ-NJDS. She is married to Dr. Alan Vella ('61); they reside in Fort Lee, N.J. Vice President­Dr. Kim Fenesy ('86) received her certificate in periodontics from Boston University. She is currently a clinical associate professor in the Department of Oral Pathology, Biology and Diagnostic Sciences and Director of Student Advisement and Advocacy at UMDNJ-NJDS. She has published more than 20 papers and abstracts and has been a co-investigator on numerous research projects in excess of $150,000. She maintains a private practice in periodontics in Clifton, N.J. She is a past president of the Omega Omega Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. She and her husband, Dr. Lawrence Duca, Jr., ('87) reside in Wayne, N.J., with their two children. Secretary-Treasurer­Dr. Vincent Castellano ('78) has had a solo practice in Bloomfield, N.J., since 1979. He and his wife, Angela, have two children: Vincent, Jr., 15, and Christie-Lynn, 13. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, and the Essex County Dental Society. He is presently president and chairman of the Essex County Dental Society Educational Foundation and Political Action Committee.   (Go back to the top)
		NJDS Saddened by Passing of Dr. Frank Quaranta Dr. Frank Quaranta, a faculty member of New Jersey Dental School for nearly three decades, passed away on July 22 at the age of 79. Born in New Brunswick, Dr. Quaranta was a long-time resident of Highland Park. He maintained a practice in Highland Park from 1946 to 1991; served for many years as chairman of the community's Planning Board; and was a former president of the Chamber of Commerce. A communicant of St. Paul the Apostle R.C. Church in Highland Park, Dr. Quaranta provided free dental care to his church's clergy and free examinations to students at the parish school. Dr. Quaranta moved to Point Pleasant in 1987. Dr. Quaranta, a World War II veteran, served in the Army in 1942 and in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. During the Korean War, he achieved the rank of lieutenant commander and was a director of dental clinics. Dr. Quaranta was a faculty member of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry for nearly 20 years. Each of those years, students gave him the highest rating among faculty members. He was the only general practice dentist in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry; all the other faculty were specialists. In 1996, he received the Irwin Quinn Excellence in Teaching Award, which is presented by the NJDS Student Government Association.In addition to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Quaranta served in the Department of Oral Pathology, Biology & Diagnostic Sciences. Dr. Quaranta is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Patrick, an alumnus of NJDS and associate professor of clinical OPBDS, and Michael; a sister; and four grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association in 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick, NJ. 08902.   (Go back to the top)