Changes in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter announced two major changes to the leadership of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery this past week. First, Dr. David A. Cottrell will be leaving GSDM to pursue other career opportunities effective December 31, 2011.

In April of 2010, Dr. Cottrell stepped down as Chair of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Associate Dean for Hospital Affairs, and assumed the position of Director of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program / Advanced Specialty Education Program in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Boston Medical Center and GSDM.

Prior to serving as Chair of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Associate Dean for Hospital Affairs, Dr. Cottrell served as Director, Advanced Specialty Education Program in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery from 1997-2007. He holds the rank of Associate Professor in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and previously served as Assistant Professor and Director of Resident Research from 1993-1999. He has been an Active Staff Oral Surgeon, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston Medical Center since 1993. He is also a Visiting Staff Surgeon at Franciscan Children’s Hospital. From 1995-2004, he served as Courtesy Dental Staff at the Cheshire Medical Center, Department of Surgery in Keene, New Hampshire.

Dr. Cottrell received his DMD degree in 1987 from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed residencies at both Yale University/Hospital (1987-1988) and Tufts University (1988-1992). He also completed a Fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center from 1992-1993.

Said Dean Hutter, “Dr. Cottrell’s hard work and dedication has had a significant and positive influence on the quality of our Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and the strong relationship we maintain with Boston Medical Center. Most recently he spearheaded the 2011 accreditation site visit for the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program/Advanced Specialty Education Program in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at BMC and GSDM. I am very appreciative of the outstanding role he played in the accreditation process. He will be missed, but we wish him the very best in his new endeavors.”

Second, it was announced that effective November 1, 2011, Dr. Andrew R. Salama will assume the positions of Director of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program / Advanced Specialty Education Program in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Boston Medical Center and GSDM. Dr. Salama has been and will continue to work with Dr. Cottrell to ensure the best possible transition for the department.

In July 2010, Dr. Salama was appointed Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Residency Training, Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at GSDM.

He obtained his DDS and MD degrees from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and School of Medicine, respectively. He completed his OMS training at the University of Maryland in 2000, and joined the faculty at the University of Maryland Medical Center following the completion of a Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Oncology and Reconstruction in 2005. His primary clinical interests include treatment of head and neck malignancies and tumors, microvascular reconstruction and surgical management of craniofacial trauma.

He has a commitment to teaching on many levels and was previously the Director of the Microvascular Teaching Laboratory at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. His current clinical research involves evaluating tongue motion and speech following reconstructive surgery and developing novel chemo-preventive medications for oral cancer.

“Please join me in congratulating Dr. Salama on his new appointment,” said Dean Hutter. “He has a wonderful relationship with the residents already, serving as both an excellent teacher and mentor. I know that we are all excited he has agreed to step into this role and I look forward to the great things to come for the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.”