left to right, front: Drs. Porzio and Kube; back row, left to right: Drs. Rodriguez, Saadat, Hall, Reddy, Elnakka, Ramundo and Ha.

Periodontal graduate program updates

Oct. 19, 2021

By Nan Johnson

by Thomas C. Waldrop, D.D.S., M.S. (D.D.S. ’73/D)

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! I am proud to acknowledge Jill Beitz (D.D.S. ’15/D; MS ’20/D), Peter Lee (M.S. ’20/D), and Denver Lyons (D.D.S. ’17/D; M.S. ’20/D) as new diplomates of the American Board of Periodontology.

The Class of 2021 graduation reception was held on July 2, 2021. Graduates were joined by their families, invited guests, fellow residents and faculty to recognize their many accomplishments. It was a face-to-face celebration!

All three graduates successfully defended their master thesis as follows:

Erin Block (D.D.S. ’18/D; M.S.D.’21/D): “Amixicile, a Novel Antimicrobial Agent, and its Effect on the Salivary and Subgingival Microbiome in Rhesus Macaque Monkeys”

Sara Holden (D.D.S. ’18/D; M.S.D. ’21/D): “The Effect of Quercetin in Periodontal Inflammation”

Nicholas Yesbeck (DDS ’18/D; MSD ’21/D): “Antibiotic-loaded Dendrimer Hydrogels in Periodontal Bone Regeneration: A Feasibility Study”

There is no doubt, these three skilled surgeons will make the Department of Periodontics proud as they enter the workforce. We look forward to hearing about their many successes as they enter Virginia-based practices:

Erin Block relocated to Virginia Beach and joined Drs. Barr, Marinak & Associates

Sara Holden remained in Richmond and joined River Run Dental

Nicholas Yesbeck also remained in Richmond and joined Commonwealth Dentistry

These three are on their way to becoming diplomates of the American Board of Periodontology after passing Part 1 of the examination.

Best wishes, to our newest alumni. Stay in touch and visit often!

Third-year year residents Daniel Hall, **Nitya Reddy** (D.D.S. ‘17/D) and Michael Ha are sharpening their advanced surgical skills and taking on greater leadership roles within the residency. All three share the Chief Resident role for a four-month period. They are busy working to complete and defend their Master’s Thesis.

Second-year residents, **Lina Elnakka** (D.D.S. ’20/D), William Porzio and Sarang Saadat are honing their knowledge of periodontal literature and surgical techniques. They are focused on data collection and analysis of their respective M.S.D. research projects.

First year residents Catherine Ramundo, Sara Kube and Roxana Rodriguez.

Please welcome our new first year residents. These exceptional residents are eager to learn and establish a research focus for their M.S.D. thesis. They come to us from:

Sara Kube: University of Louisville, School of Dentistry, 2021

Catherine Ramundo (D.D.S. 2021/D): VCU School of Dentistry, 2021

Roxana Rodriguez (D.D.S. 2021/D): VCU School of Dentistry, 2021

Three of six awards given by the Southern Academy of Periodontology’s Billy M. Pennel Research Competition, 2021 went to VCU residents! I am proud of their accomplishments and congratulate them for a strong showing at the Academy’s annual summer meeting.

In the category of Basic and Translational Science Research:

Dr. Block presenting at the Southern Academy of Periodontology, Orlando, Florida.

Erin Block: 1st place for her research titled “Amixicile, a novel Antimicrobial Agent, and its Effect on the Salivary and Subgingival Microbiome in Rhesus Monkeys”

Dr. Elnakka presenting at the Southern Academy of Periodontology, Orlando, Florida.

Lina Elnakka: 3rd place for her research titled “Scaling and Root Planing with Localized Delivery of Autogenous Growth Factor – Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF): A Randomized Split-moth Clinical Trial”

In the category of Clinical Research:

Michael Ha: 3rd place for his research titled “An Examination of the Oral and Gut Microbiome Composition in the Presence of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease”

All residents are excited to network and learn more about all aspects of patient care during the upcoming AAP meeting.

We are very appreciative of our generous donors that make these experiences possible for our residents.