Ann Arbor, MI — June 29, 2010 — Dr. Nisha D’Silva, an associate professor of periodontics and oral medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, is one of 54 women from across the country who has been selected to participate in a prestigious leadership program designed to increase the number of women in senior academic leadership positions.

Beginning this fall, D’Silva will participate in the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) Program for Women at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. ELAM is the only national program dedicated to preparing women faculty for senior leadership roles at academic health centers. The women represent over 50 medical, dental, and public health schools across the U.S. and Canada who will participate in the year-long program.

“By helping me to identify my strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to serve others, the ELAM program will enhance my ability to contribute to the mission of the School of Dentistry and fulfill my goals,” D’ Silva said. She said her goal as division director of oral medicine, oral radiology, and oral pathology is to “support faculty in continually increasing our level of excellence.” D’Silva said she also hopes to expand her research that focuses on clinical, translational, and molecular changes in head and neck cancer.

D’Silva earned her dental degree at the University of Bombay in India, a master’s degree in dentistry and a certificate in oral and maxillofacial pathology at Indiana University’s Indianapolis campus, and a PhD in oral biology at the University of Washington in Seattle. She came to the U-M School of Dentistry in 1998. D’Silva said she was encouraged to apply for the ELAM program by Dr. Laurie McCauley, chair of the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine. “I appreciate the support and encouragement I received from her and Dean Peter Polverini,” D’Silva said.

Since ELAM was established in 1995, more than 500 women leaders have graduated from the program and make up about 25 percent of executive positions in academic medicine and dentistry that are held by women.

Contact: Sharon Grayden, Communications Director (734) 615-2600, dentistry.communications@umich.edu, or Jerry Mastey, Editor, School of Dentistry (734) 615-1971, jmastey@umich.edu.