MUSC James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine Dean's Message | March 2024

Dear James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine alumni and friends,

On Feb. 16, the keynote speaker for 14th annual James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine Scholars Day was our very own Alfred Griffin III, D.M.D., Ph.D., ‘14.

Griffin, who hails from a long lineage of oral health care providers, completed his dual D.M.D./Ph.D. through our Dental Scientist Training Program, a T-32 program. Griffin is the CEO and founder of LightForce, one of the fastest-growing orthodontic startups. He gave an inspiring lecture to nearly 300 faculty, staff and students. He also had a chance to meet his former professors and many other groups, including our current T-32 students.

Alfred, we are very proud of your accomplishments!

It was also wonderful to see those of you who came home to MUSC for Alumni Weekend, Feb. 29 to Mar. 2. The celebration of MUSC’s Bicentennial brought together alumni from all of MUSC’s colleges for the first time. It was our biggest and best Alumni Weekend yet!

Over breakfast, I had the pleasure of sharing updates on the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, our strategic vision of innovating the future of oral health and wellness, expansion plans, insight into the increasingly competitive landscape of dental education in the U.S., and updates on our Pay It Forward Scholarship Campaign to attract and retain the most gifted and deserving students.

We also enjoyed catching up on relationships built personally and professionally through the college over Lowcountry barbecue in the lobby of our state-of-the-art Dental Clinics Building. In addition to continuing education courses, campus tours and more, the weekend culminated in the Alumni Bash at the Shed. MUSC’s Alumni Office has shared photos from the weekend.

As we continue to change what’s possible in education, research and patient care we remain grateful and humbled by your steadfast support of the college and the next generation of oral health providers –  for South Carolina and beyond.

Sincerely,

Sarandeep Huja, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Dean, MUSC James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine