Ronald P. Blank receives Teacher of the Year Award

Ronald P. Blank, SD’75A, chair and associate professor, ODRP (right), receives the Teacher of the Year Award from Dr. Goodacre. Also pictured is Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, chancellor, LLU (center).

Ronald P. Blank, SD’75A, chair and associate professor, oral diagnosis, radiology, and pathology, was presented with the Teacher of the Year Award during commencement ceremonies for the School of Dentistry. This is the first year that the award has been given. Students, faculty, and staff were invited to nominate a faculty member for the Teacher of the Year Award.

Though Dr. Blank had been informed that he was one of a group of four faculty members from whom the award recipient would be chosen, every effort was made to ensure that the award was a surprise.

“I was surprised, humbled, and happy to be chosen for this award,” says Dr. Blank. “It is the high point of my career, and I owe it to the loving support of my wife, Sandy, daughter Cariann, and son, Travis.”

Dr. Blank is a retired U.S. Navy Commander who has held numerous dental officer positions throughout his military career. During his years in the Navy, he was responsible for significant teaching commitments, and received numerous commendations from his superiors.

He was contacted by Daniel Tan, SD’75A, professor, restorative dentistry, to see if he would be interested in working for the School. Dr. Blank joined the faculty in August, 1998. On July 1, 2000, he was named chair of oral diagnosis, radiology, and pathology.

Dr. Blank’s teaching philosophy is to educate students in the clinic and classroom from a Christian perspective, making mutual trust, confidence, teamwork, and respect the guiding principles.

The following was written by Dr. Blank on December 17, 1997, before he began working at LLU: “The Loma Linda University philosophy is ‘to make man whole.’ If this remains the focus of University faculty, staff, and administration, it can never fail. It will be perpetuated through its influence on our students, our alumni, our patients, and on the global mission of our Church.”

In the same letter, Dr. Blank states that his philosophy of practicing dentistry mirrors the LLU mission: “Meet the mind of the patient before the mouth of the patient,” “Care for patients as you would your own family,” “Always treat everyone with uncommon courtesy, respect, and dignity,” and “Give God the glory in your patient treatment successes.”
Dr. Blank sees his philosophy as a testament to the Christian influence of dedicated faculty and staff when he was a student and it is his desire to support and perpetuate this mission as a faculty member.

Chuck Yetter, director of dental maintenance, installs the School of Dentistry Teacher of the Year reserved parking sign. Ronald P. Blank, SD’75A, chair and associate professor, oral diagnosis, radiology, and pathology, is the first recipient of the award. In addition to reserved parking Dr. Blank received a medallion and case to display it in, and $1,000. The Teacher of the Year Award will be given annually, and will be announced during commencement ceremonies for the School of Dentistry.

Dr. Blank receives high marks for being on time and available in the clinic; knowledgeable; helping students to think and problem solve; for being actively involved in student learning; providing positive feedback in addition to identifying problem areas; for being interested in the subject area being taught; and for treating students with respect.

Following are remarks from students who appreciate Dr. Blank’s teaching style:

“Dr. Blank is an excellent teacher. He doesn’t ‘take over’ for me but makes me learn to do it myself. He strikes an excellent balance in knowing where and when to step in.” “Dr. Blank seems calm and is very helpful. He understands that I am still a student.”

As one of the graduating dental students recently commented, “Dr. Blank is more concerned in the student than in minutiae; he makes it his goal to have the student understand the goal of what is being taught. He is one of the great people in the School.”

The Teacher of the Year Award is intended to be presented annually. The faculty member selected as Teacher of the Year will receive a medallion presented during commencement ceremonies and a shadow-box to display the medallion. The Teacher of the Year will also be given a reserved parking space, and a monetary award of $1,000.

This year Dr. Blank was selected by the graduating dental class to receive the Pierre Fauchard Academy Teacher of the Year Award.

The award, given to the individual from whom the graduating students felt they received the finest education during their four years of dental school, was presented to him during the Pierre Fauchard Academy Annual Luncheon in Anaheim on April 7.

In 2001, he was also honored by the graduating class during their Awards Banquet at the Mission Inn in Riverside. .