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Dean of UT Dental Branch Named Texas Dentist
of the Year
Flaitz recognized for unsurpassed dignity, enthusiasm and achievement in education,
research and patient care
Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, has been named the 2005 Texas Dentist of the Year, the most prestigious honor a Texas dentist can earn.
Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the UT Dental Branch at Houston, was accompanied by her husband, John Hicks, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.D., during the awards ceremony in which Flaitz was named Texas Dentist of the Year. Photo by Jowdy Photography
Flaitz is the first female in the 41-year history of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry to win the award. Accompanied by her husband, John Hicks, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.D., Flaitz was honored Sept. 9 during a black-tie affair in Austin.
“Honored, humbled, elated and appreciative – I am not sure if any of these words can fully describe how pleased I am in response to being named the Texas Dentist of the Year,” said Flaitz, who also is the William N. Finnegan III Professor in the Dental Sciences.
“This is by far one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. Having the opportunity to dedicate your life’s work to education, research and patient care, for the improvement of others’ quality of life, is a gift itself. But to be recognized by an organization such as the Texas Academy of General Dentistry is absolutely heartwarming,” she said.
“I am also proud to say that this award is a result of the talented students, staff, faculty and administrators I have had the opportunity to work with at the UT Dental Branch and the UT Health Science Center at Houston,” she said. “I did not get here on my own. I have benefited from the support and loyalty of my UT family and alumni, to whom I am extremely grateful.”
The Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) is the second largest dental organization in Texas. To earn a nomination for the award, a dentist must demonstrate dedication to the profession, service to the community, commitment to the principles of continuing education and participation in other activities that indicate character and excellence.
TAGD president David Tillman, D.D.S., said when looking at Flaitz’ nomination information and credentials, the selection committee immediately realized that they had found this year’s winner.
“Dr. Flaitz is highly qualified in the areas of research, academia and patient care,” Tillman said. “And not only did Dr. Flaitz look good on paper, but when I spoke with her she was extremely personable and easy to talk to.”
Tillman said he was impressed that when asked what aspects of her career stood out, Flaitz spoke about her work with HIV-positive orphans in Romania.
“Of all the things Dr. Flaitz has accomplished, she could have chosen a number of aspects in her career to highlight. But to choose her service to the orphans was a sign that she clearly understands the human implication for her work, which we feel is extremely important,” he said.
Since 1998, Flaitz has traveled to Romania regularly to treat pediatric HIVinfected and handicapped children. She also helped design a 5,000-square-foot medical/dental clinic attached to an orphanage and has trained Romanian dentists to treat these children.
In a letter of nomination for Flaitz to receive the award, Arthur Jeske, D.M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of restorative dentistry at the Dental Branch, shed light on how Flaitz positively affects the Dental Branch.
“Cathy Flaitz has participated in every aspect of the dental profession with unsurpassed dignity, enthusiasm and achievement. Dental education in Texas is better for her presence here, not only as an educator, but as an exceptional individual whose scope of contributions has redefined the role of dental school dean,” Jeske said.
“As one who leads by example, the entire faculty and all of our students and staff understand and appreciate the high standards that she sets for us,” he said. “Under her leadership, we can realize our dream of a new dental school building, the need for which she has convincingly and eloquently conveyed to our legislative and academic leaders.”
Students also applaud Flaitz on her remarkable accomplishment, as displayed in these words written by second-year D.D.S., Ph.D. candidate Colin Lathrop: “Dear Dean Flaitz, I want to congratulate you on becoming the Texas Dentist of the Year. After witnessing your actions, leadership, compassion and dedication to not only the dental profession, but also to the patients that you serve, I believe that the students and faculty have an outstanding example to follow. Your actions, whether publicized or private, have not gone unnoticed by the student body or faculty. I look forward to observing you and working with you to make my next six years at the Dental Branch a learning experience in all aspects of dentistry and research.”
Just last summer Flaitz was the first woman in the 100-year history of the Dental Branch to be named dean. And only a few months later, in the fall of 2004, she was the first dentist in the history of the UT Health Science Center at Houston to receive the President’s Scholar Award for Teaching Excellence.
A pediatric dentist, Flaitz also specializes in oral and maxillofacial pathology. She graduated from the Creighton University College of Dentistry in 1978 and, ever since, has stayed involved in numerous professional organizations, including the Greater Houston Dental Society, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
By Erika E. Durham, Public Affairs