Ann Arbor, MI — January 6, 2006 — A staff member of the School of Dentistry's Office of Academic Affairs received one of the University of Michigan's highest honors during a ceremony in December.

The staff member, Meghan Genovese, received the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence from a pool of 180 nominations from across the Ann Arbor campus.

Genovese was nominated by faculty members from the dental school and the medical school, by staff members from the dental school, as well as dental students. They cited her professionalism, calm demeanor, ability to work with diverse groups, attention to detail, and strong work ethic.

Dr. Marilyn Lantz, associate dean for academic affairs, cited the crucial role Genovese played in the success of the School's Integrated Medical Sciences curriculum.

Launched in 2003-2004 academic year, IMS helps first- and second-year dental students "see the connections" between dentistry and various medical disciplines. The program, according to Lantz, was established "to help our dental students better understand how physicians think as well as show the connections between oral and systemic health." Graduate and post-graduate students from the U-M Medical School participate in the program. [DentalUM, Fall 2004, pages 60-61.]

"Extraordinary Work"

As the program was being reviewed and upgraded beginning in January 2004, Lantz praised Genovese for "her extraordinary work with faculty, students, and staff during the development and implementation of the IMS course series." She added that Genovese "demonstrated enormous creativity and flexibility in finding solutions to individual and group concerns."

Dr. Gerald Cortright, director of dental gross anatomy in the office of medical education at the U-M School of Medicine, said "Meghan's outstanding characteristics are equanimity and dependability in the face of seemingly overwhelming demands. She has been the rock I could always count on, or perhaps more appropriately, the guiding light that kept me off the rocky shores of imminent disaster."

Jean Klark, a secretary in the dean's office at the School of Dentistry, said that she once knew the late Candy Johnson and "having worked closely with Meghan, I can appreciate the similarities of the two individuals."

"Surprised and Honored"

Genovese said she was surprised and honored to be recognized.

"I came to Ann Arbor about three years ago from central Illinois where I had been working as a project manager for a Web development company," she said. "Since I have been at the School of Dentistry, my work has been primarily related to new curriculum initiatives."

Genovese said that although she received a formal education in fine art, "most of my professional life has been centered around education." Previously, she was a resident counselor at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, implemented Illinois State Board of Education-funded scientific literacy grant projects, a recruiter for MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and directed international admissions at Bradley University in Peoria.

The Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence was established in 2004 to recognize an outstanding U-M staff member. It is presented annually to a person who demonstrates strong work qualities such as initiative, dependability, and commitment; encourages others to collaborate and achieve excellence in their work; a willingness to help others and assume additional responsibilities as well as being positive and compassionate.

Before her death in 2003, Johnson worked for 32 years at U-M. She began her career in 1972 at the Medical Center in the Department of Internal Medicine. In 1989, she transferred to the Office of the Provost and was employed there until her untimely death three years ago. The Provost's Office established the award to honor Johnson.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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