I am deeply honored to have been asked to serve as Interim Dean of VCU School of Dentistry, an institution rich in talent and expertise, with a strong belief in the power of our collective work. It is a privilege to serve alongside such an extraordinary community, and I look forward to partnering with our stakeholders as we continue to move forward with purpose and optimism.

Our executive leadership team is deeply committed to our students, faculty, and staff—both their growth and development and their success. They each play an essential role in our school community's strength, and we will work together to ensure they have the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

Change is never simple. It can create uncertainty, but it also brings opportunities—opportunities to reflect on who we are, what we value, and how we move forward together. During this time, we will lean on our greatest resource: our people.

By leading with compassion, kindness, and a shared belief in the impact we can make, we will continue to build a community that thrives and advances our mission across our school, our university, and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I want to thank our VCU School of Dentistry family for everything they do for our school and each other. I also want to thank VCU President Michael Rao and Arturo Saavedra, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, for their confidence in me in this role. 

With appreciation,

Jeffrey Johnson, D.M.D., M.P.H., Ed.D.
Interim Dean
VCU School of Dentistry