An era is coming to an end at Virginia Commonwealth University as B. Ellen Byrne, D.D.S., Ph.D., retires after an extraordinary 50-year journey that saw her transition from student to resident, faculty member and finally, academic dean.

“VCU has been my life,” Byrne said. “I’ve had the opportunity to be taught by giants at the School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine who helped build this university into what it is today. I am humbled to be a part of that history and to have a hand in teaching a generation of health care professionals.” 

Lyndon F. Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of VCU School of Dentistry, said that Byrne has exemplified excellence and dedication, leaving a lasting impact at VCU and on the entire health sciences community. 

“Join us in congratulating Dr. Byrne on her retirement and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors,” Cooper said. “She will be greatly missed, but her impact will forever be felt at VCU. Thank you, Ellen, for your unwavering commitment and for being a true inspiration to us all.”

Byrne’s journey with VCU began as a pharmacy student in 1974. Little did she know, that initial step would mark the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the university. 

A career in academics wasn’t always in the plans for Byrne. As it turns out, she didn’t set out to be a faculty member at all. Academia found her. 

“I never thought I would be in academia or be an academic dean,” Byrne said. “But I was always ready to walk through a door if it opened. So, if the door opened and I felt I could walk through it, I did. And VCU gave me that opportunity at a lot of turns.”

The beginning of a 50 year journey

Byrne recalls excitement upon arriving at the then Medical College of Virginia (MCV) with her twin sister, who was also attending pharmacy school.

“I just remember feeling fortunate to be here at the medical campus,” Byrne said. “Back then, parking wasn’t an issue. I remember my sister and I drove up and we parked right in front of Cabaniss Hall.”

While pharmacy was a rewarding career path, it wasn’t her passion. It was her sister’s passion. It was Byrne’s backup plan.

“Being a pharmacist is a good career. But I knew I wanted to be a dentist,” Byrne said. “But what if I don't get into dental school? What if I fail out? What if I don't like it? I needed something to fall back on.”

Alongside her twin sister, Byrne graduated from the School of Pharmacy with a bachelor’s degree in 1977. Shortly thereafter, she began working as a pharmacist in Martinsville.

But just three short months later, VCU came calling.

She accepted a position as an instructor for the School of Pharmacy, marking her first job in academia. 

“I worked in the compounding lab, teaching people to make solutions and capsules,” Byrne said. 

After two years as a pharmacy instructor, Byrne enrolled as a student at VCU School of Dentistry to pursue her dream of being a dentist. She also continued to work as a pharmacist on weekends and summers to help pay for school.

Career in academia

At VCU School of Dentistry, Byrne finally had the opportunity to immerse herself in dentistry. She also met several professors and mentors who would help shape the trajectory of her career.

Her dedication and skills caught the attention of School of Dentistry alumni and longtime faculty member, Bill “Willie” Crockett, D.D.S., (D.D.S. ’47). Crockett encouraged Byrne to consider a career in academia. 

“Dr. Crockett is the one that recognized that I liked to teach,” Byrne said. “I was a tutor as a pharmacy student and as a dental student. I also was the class notetaker. He was the first person to tap me on the shoulder, so to speak, and asked, ‘Have you ever thought about academics as a career path?’”

Crockett’s words and belief in Byrne opened a door that she would soon run through. 

After she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1983 and completed her General Practice Residency at McGuire Veterans Hospital, an opportunity arose to teach full-time in the School of Dentistry.

Byrne returned to VCU School of Dentistry to work in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, beginning a long career as a School of Dentistry faculty member. Byrne was only the second ever full-time dental female faculty member at the school.

“After a couple years in restorative, I realized that to go anywhere in academia, you must have additional credentials, further degree or further training,” Byrne said.

Combining her dental and pharmacology backgrounds, Byrne applied to the National Institutes of Health for a Dentist Scientist Award. The award helped her continue her education, and over the next five years she combined her training to receive a certificate in endodontics in 1990 and a Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology in 1991.

Impacting lives

After a brief stint in private endodontics practice, Byrne returned to the School of Dentistry as an assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics. Her passion for teaching, coupled with her expertise in her field, made her a favorite among students and colleagues alike.

“I never thought of myself as a mentor to anybody,” Byrne said. “I was just working as hard as I could, and as I got older, I realized it was really important to reach out and mentor other people.”

Byrne would find out the sheer fact that she was a trailblazer in dentistry academia made her a role model for students who aspired to follow in her footsteps.

For former students like Matthew Cooke, D.D.S., M.D., M.P.H., Dr. Byrne was inspirational, playing a pivotal role in his success both as a dental student and in his career.  

“I owe her a complete debt of gratitude,” said Cooke. “She was one of the people who believed in me. She wrote my letter of recommendation for my pediatric dentistry residency.”

He says Byrne has been instrumental in VCU School of Dentistry’s growth and ascend as one of the best dental schools in the country.

“She has been a fixture here, and has always been a great cheerleader and advocate for this institution and for students,” Cooke added.

From faculty member to a leader in her field

Byrne credits former Dean Ronald J. Hunt, D.D.S., M.S. for her growth not just at VCU but at state and national levels. With her rare background in dentistry and pharmacology, she became a national speaker for several national organizations, including the American Dental Education Association, the American Dental Association, the American Association of Endodontists, American College of Dentists and Pierre Fouchard.

“He gave me opportunities to get involved in dentistry,” Byrne said of Hunt. “All these things just spring forward from somebody that believes in you. When somebody believes in you, you have to take the ball and run with it. That’s what I did.”

As she continued to run, dozens of awards, recognitions and opportunities followed.

Byrne served as interim chair of the Department of Endodontics, was promoted to professor and ultimately became an academic dean. In 2004, Under the leadership of Dean Ron Hunt, Byrne was promoted to assistant dean for academic affairs. 

A transformative academic dean

Over the past 20 years, Byrne’s tenure as assistant dean, associate dean and then senior associate dean has been marked by significant advancements in curriculum development and successful accreditation site visits by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Byrne says successful site visits and 2010 and 2017 are among her favorite memories because of the hard work and team work that goes into getting accreditation from CODA. 

“It’s the ultimate team effort to make site visits a success, students, faculty and staff,” Byrne said.

Byrne credits her academic affairs team, Meredith B. Baines, M.Ed., Angela Easley, M.S.A.,  and Samantha Mitchell, M.S., for her success as an academic dean. 

“I have such smart, wonderful people that work around me,” Byrne said. “I have to give them full credit for everything. Meredith can think circles around me. Sam can out analyze everything. Angie keeps me organized. I've been very fortunate to have an awesome team that's stuck with me. The key to success is to hire people smarter than you. Because they make you look good.”

A legacy of excellence

As Byrne bids farewell to VCU, she leaves behind a university transformed by her passion and dedication. Her legacy will be felt for generations to come, a testament to 50 years of hard work and an unwavering commitment to excellence. 

Baines, director of curriculum advancement at VCU Schools of Dentistry, has known Byrne for more than 20 years and worked closely with her for most of those. She says she’s learned so many things from her, especially about VCU. 

“What I've come to realize is that not only does she know so much of our institutional history, but she is in fact herself a big part of our institutional history,” said Baines. “She has shaped so many parts of VCU School of Dentistry that we love today. What an amazing legacy she will leave behind that will impact generations to come.”

Not only has VCU been a big part of her life, it’s been a big part of her children’s lives. She is the proud mom of three VCU graduates.

Her daughter Bridget completed the accelerated nursing program at the School of Nursing, her son John completed dental school and her youngest son Tyler completed the accelerated nursing program and is now a student in the nationally ranked Nurse Anesthesia program at the College of Health Professions. 

“It has been the honor of my life to be part of this institution,” Byrne said. “I have been privileged to learn, teach and lead here, and I am immensely proud of all we have accomplished together. VCU will always be my home.”

Byrne says she has witnessed tremendous growth and change at VCU over the last five decades. 

“I've seen new buildings built, torn down and another building built in its place,” Byrne said. “So, it's mind boggling to think that I've been here for 50 years.” 

What’s next

While retiring is difficult, Byrne says it's time for the next generation of leadership.

“This was not an easy decision, but it's time for me to leave,” Byrne said. “I want to leave while I feel on the top of my game and I’m healthy enough to chase my grandchildren.”

Byrne said she has no big plans for retirement. She just wants to do the simple things like spend more time with her husband Mel, who is a retired pharmacist and pharmacy owner.

“I want to be able to go to the museum on weekdays when nobody’s there, do yard work, visit my grandchildren in Washington DC and travel to the family’s Homeplace Farm in Bedford.,” Byrne said. 

She says most of all, she will miss her friends, colleagues and shared experiences. 

“It's the personal connections and the spirit of our community that I will cherish the most,” Byrne said. “Leaving behind these relationships is bittersweet, but I carry with me the inspiration they have given me over the years."

As long as she could remember, VCU has been a part of Byrne’s identity. Now she looks forward to finding a new one. 

Despite her retirement, Byrne will remain at the School of Dentistry a little while longer. She will continue as the interim associate dean of student services until the position is filled.

“I would say I’m phasing out,” Byrne said with a laugh. 

“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey at VCU,” Byrne said. “Each of you have contributed to the vibrant and dynamic community that VCU represents. I leave with a heart full of appreciation and a sense of pride in what we have accomplished together."