Garry Myers, D.D.S., has been appointed as the new interim chair of the Department of Endodontics, effective July 1.

Myers brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this role, having served as the director of the Graduate Endodontics program since 2015. His dedication to excellence in endodontic education, patient care and research has been integral for the department and the broader dental community.

This appointment comes as the Department of Endodontics and Oral Diagnostic Sciences are fully separated and independent of each other, effective on July 1. 

“With Dr. Myers’ proven academic leadership and steadfast commitment to our educational mission, I am confident that the Department of Endodontics will continue to build on its strong momentum and thrive under his guidance,” said Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of VCU School of Dentistry.

For Myers, teaching endodontics was not always how he envisioned his future, but it is the path he was destined to take.

“I am not sure if I actually chose my career path, but rather it chose me as open doors created opportunities for me as I progressed in my career,” said Myers.

Myers received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Air Force where over the next 13 years he served as a dental officer. During this time, he completed a residency program in endodontics at Wilford Hall Medical Center and completed the requirements to become board-certified by the American Board of Endodontics.

After leaving the military, Myers entered private practice in Olympia, Washington in 1998. In 2007, he began his career in academia, teaching part-time at the University of Washington dental school.

“I originally went to dental school to become an orthodontist, but early in my journey I realized that endodontics was my true calling,” said Myers. “I fell in love with teaching while working in private practice and teaching endodontics part-time, which is when I made the decision to transition into full-time teaching and VCU gave me that opportunity.”

Myers joined VCU on a full-time basis in July 2014 as an assistant professor. He has served in various roles, including his current role as director of the Graduate Endodontics program and most recently achieving promotion from Associate Professor term to Professor term.

“The most rewarding aspect of my job is being in the position to mentor my endodontic residents and seeing the growth that they demonstrate over two years. They are the future of the specialty that I have loved throughout my career,” said Myers.

He has also been a strong advocate for his specialty, serving on the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Board of Directors, the AAE Executive Committee and as AAE President in 2017–2018. In 2022, he was appointed to the American Board of Endodontics as a Director where he currently serves as the Secretary and as an examiner for the ABE.

As interim chair, Myers hopes to instill in students, residents and faculty strong moral values and a passion for advocating for and advancing the profession of endodontics.

“It is my goal, my obligation, to help develop our leaders for tomorrow - with my residents, with my junior faculty and with the dental students at VCU,” said Myers. “There is still work left to be done.”