LLU School of Dentistry Dentalgram

Dentalgram

August 2002

Acting chair named for dental hygiene department

Karen Simpson, DH'66, MPH'78, chair, dental hygiene department, 1994 to 2002.

Karen Simpson, DH’66, MPH’78, chair, dental hygiene department since 1994, has asked to step down from her role as department chair in order to take a three-month sabbatical and return to full-time teaching in the department. Throughout her tenure as chair, Ms. Simpson has carried out her administrative responsibilities with dignity and effectiveness.

Ms. Simpson began teaching in the School as a part-time faculty member in 1967, and became a full-time faculty member in 1971. In 1993 she served as acting chair of the dental hygiene department, and was named chair in 1994.

Her professional memberships include the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, California Dental Hygienists’ Association, and Sigma Phi Alpha Hygiene Honor Society, California Dental Hygiene Educator’s Association, American Dental Education Association, and American Public Health Association, among others.

From 1973 to 1974, she served as president of the LLU Dental Hygiene Alumni Association, and from 1982 to 1987, she served as secretary/treasurer for the Sigma Phi Alpha Hygiene Honor Society.

Kris Wilkins, DH'80, has been named acting chair, dental hygiene department.

Ms. Simpson has taught continuing education in the areas of expanded functions for dental hygienists; root instrumentation; coronal polishing for dental assistants; local anesthesia review; and essentials of periodontal exam. She has served on numerous School committees including the executive, admissions, curriculum, clinic activities, faculty council, and nominating committees.

Ms. Simpson received the Zapara Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence in 1986, and was named Dental Hygiene Alumnus of the Year in 2001.

A search committee has been appointed by the dean to identify candidates to assume the role of dental hygiene department chair. In the interim, Kris Wilkins, DH’80, has accepted the responsibility of acting chair during the search process.