Alpha Omega Hosts First in Series of Lunch and Learns
On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, the Alpha Omega Beta Epsilon (AO) chapter at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) hosted their first lecture in their newly formed “Lunch and Learn” series. The guest lecture series, held in the 670 Albany Street auditorium, was started by Stephen Brand DMD 19 and Sara Satin DMD 19, Co-Presidents of AO. Approximately 85 students, residents, and faculty were in attendance for the presentation, which focused on forensic odontology.
Dr. Murray Marks, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Marks is also an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. In addition, he is a core faculty member and Director of the Forensic Odontology Program at the University of Tennessee, the only postgraduate curriculum of its kind in the country to offer intensive case-based exposure and training for residents in the field of Forensic Dentistry. As a board-certified forensic anthropologist, Dr. Marks also consults with the East Tennessee Medical Examiner’s Office, the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI), and local law enforcement officials.
Sitting through his presentation, the audience learned about the anthropological interest in teeth, including the Paleontological focus; the Bioarchaeological/Biohistorical focus; and the use of teeth in forensic identification. Upon conclusion of his lecture, many of the students in attendance remained to ask Dr. Marks questions. The next AO lunch and learn will be held later in the spring.
“I would like to thank Sara and Steve, the Co-Presidents of AO Beta Epsilon chapter for organizing this outstanding event, and for all their hard work in the past year,” said Dr. David Dano AEGD 11, Clinical Assistant Professor of General Dentistry; Practice Leader, Predoctoral Patient Treatment Center; and Faculty Advisor of AO. “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our students who in the last Alpha Omega international convention, won an award for the most Innovative Community Service Award.”
Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter also added, “thank you, Dr. Marks, for delivering such an interesting keynote address, and for taking the time to educate our students. Our chapter of AO has done a wonderful job organizing this excellent lecture series.”
The Beta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Omega (AO) at GSDM aims to further the spirit of inclusion by bringing together dental students of all races, religions, political views, nationalities, handicaps, and genders for the continual enhancement of the dental profession and lives of dental professionals worldwide. Following the three tenets of Alpha Omega – professionalism, fraternalism, and commitment to Judaic values – AO at GSDM continues to promote and support the ideals of global oral health, education, and the bonds of fraternity.