Ann Arbor, MI — December 4, 2012 — Dr. Bill Piskorowski, assistant dean for Community-Based Dental Education at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, has been named among the winners of the 2013 William J. Gies Awards for Vision, Innovation, and Achievement.

Piskorowski was named a dental educator recipient of the Gies Award for Outstanding Innovation by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Gies Foundation.  The award, named for dental education pioneer William J. Gies, honors individuals and organizations who exemplify dedication to the highest standards of vision, innovation, and achievement in dental education, research, and leadership.

A clinical associate professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, Piskorowski has directed the School’s outreach program since February 2006.  Recently, the “Outreach Program” was renamed “Community-Based Dental Education” to more accurately describe the community affiliations that meet the educational mission of the School of Dentistry as well as the service mission of the community clinics.

Since the 2006-2007 academic year when Piskorowski assumed leadership of the program, U-M dental students have treated more than 79,000 patients and have performed more than 157,000 procedures.  During that time, rotations have increased from three weeks to 10 weeks at more than 30 community clinics, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, private practices, and dental clinics at the State Prison.

“It’s a great honor and I am humbled to be named a recipient of the award,” Piskorowski said.  The award will be presented March 18 at the ADEA’s annual session in Seattle.  The Gies Awards are presented by the ADEAGies Foundation, the philanthropic arm of ADEA. 

The ADEA is the voice of dental education.  Its members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools and many allied and advanced dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students.  The mission of ADEA is to lead individuals and institutions of the dental community to address contemporary issues influencing the education, research, and the delivery of oral health care of the public.  For more information, visit the Web at: www.adea.org.