Dr. Patrick J. Ferrillo of Southern Illinois University has been selected as dean of the UNLV School of Dentistry, UNLV President Carol C. Harter announced today (July 3).

Ferrillo, who has served as dean of the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Dental Medicine since 1987, will assume his responsibilities at UNLV before the start of fall semester and will play a key role in the orientation of UNLV's inaugural class of dental students.

"We are extremely pleased and fortunate to have a dental educator of the stature of Dean Ferrillo join our administrative team at UNLV," Harter said. "We anticipate that UNLV will emerge as a leader in dental education under his direction."

UNLV Provost Raymond Alden said, "Dr. Ferrillo has impressive credentials in the field of dental education as indicated by the positions of importance he has held in a variety of dental organizations. We feel confident that his contributions to UNLV will be similarly significant." Ferrillo, who was chosen following a national search, replaces Interim Dean Steven Smith.

Ferrillo is recognized nationally and internationally for his leadership in dental education. Under his guidance, the SIU School of Dental Medicine has been repeatedly recognized for excellence in dental academics and for outstanding overall national and regional board performance. Additionally, he is recognized for establishing research and clinical partnerships between the SIU School of Dental Medicine, the St. Louis University Academic Health Sciences Center, and the Washington University Medical School. He has also been instrumental in the establishment and staffing of new dental clinics that enable the School of Dental Medicine to provide oral health care for the underserved population in the region.

Ferrillo said of his appointment, "I am pleased to become a member of this innovative team at UNLV. It will be our goal to develop a premier dental school recognized for it outstanding academic, research, and community service programs."

He received his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1976, and in 1978 he completed an advanced education program in endodontics from Baylor. He received his bachelor of science degree in biology from Georgetown University in 1973.

Ferrillo has served on numerous university, state, national, and international committees related to dental education. In 1999, he served as president of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). The association is the pre-eminent national organization for dental education that addresses contemporary issues influencing education, research, and delivery of oral health care to the public.

His other appointments include service as the 1994 chair of the ADEA Council of Deans, 1991 chair of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Therapeutics, and 1996 chair of the Steering Committee on Specialty Programs for the Commission on Dental Accreditation/Council on Dental Education. He has served as a member of the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and its Council on Dental Education. He continues to serve as a consultant to the commission.

He also serves on the board of several philanthropic organizations. He was recently elected chair of the Board of Oral Health America. Additionally, Ferrillo is a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.

Orientation for UNLV's first class of dental students begins Aug. 18. Fall semester starts Aug. 26.