January

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Appointment of School of Dentistry Dean

January 5, 2026

TO:             UMMC Faculty, Staff and Students

FROM:        Dr. Scott Rodgers, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:   Appointment of School of Dentistry Dean


Pia Chatterjee Kirk 2026 (White coat)I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk as the dean of the UMMC School of Dentistry, effective today, following her service as interim dean since 2024.

During her time as interim dean, Dr. Kirk provided steady leadership through a period of transition, advancing student-centered education, strengthening clinical programs and supporting the school’s academic and service missions. 

As the School of Dentistry plans for a new clinical building, Dr. Kirk has helped guide efforts to expand clinical programs and future growth, including initiatives to improve access to care for patients with special needs. She has also supported the expansion of the school’s outreach footprint, including the launch of a new dental clinic in West, offering students hands-on experience in rural dentistry. Planning for the new facility has emphasized modernized clinical spaces, interdisciplinary collaboration and integration with the medical center’s electronic health record. 

Dr. Kirk is a longtime member of the UMMC faculty, having joined the School of Dentistry in 2001 after completing her general dentistry residency at UMMC. Over more than two decades, she has held numerous leadership roles, including chair and vice chair of the Department of Care Planning and Restorative Sciences, division chief of the Operative Clinic and director of continuing education programs, while remaining deeply engaged in dental education, clinical care and faculty development. 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kirk on her appointment as she continues to lead the School of Dentistry into its next chapter. 

Thank you.