From left: Dr. Octavio Gonzalez, Clem Stambaugh, Karen Woolfork, Dr. Cynthia Beeman, Dr. Thamer Musbah, and Dean Okeson. 

Each year at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) Faculty and Staff Retreat, the college honors faculty and staff members, who demonstrate exemplary ability and outstanding performance in their respective positions and who have contributed to the overall success of the college. Award recipients are selected by the UKCD Awards Committees after being nominated.  

Congratulations to the following 2023 award recipients:  

Dr. Cynthia Beeman – UKCD Dean’s Award for Achievements in Service  

Dr. Beeman joined UKCD in 1989 and is a Professor in the Division of Orthodontics. During her time at the college, she has served in many positions—both academic and administrative including Director of Graduate Orthodontic Program Research, Director of Graduate Program Orthodontics, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Master of Science Thesis Committee, Research Mentor, and Interim Chair for the Faculty Council. 

When discussing how being a research mentor has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her job, she shares, “The nice thing about working with students is instead of looking at a 5-year project necessarily, they’re going to pick something that interests them that they can do in maybe a couple of years and I help them. The diversity of having people from orthodontics as well as outside of the program is also exciting. It’s fun interacting with people outside of the division and the college, it makes you feel like you’re a part of the Big Blue Nation.” 

Dr. Octavio Gonzalez – UKCD Dean’s Award for Achievements in Research  

Dr. Gonzalez joined UKCD in 2012 and is a Professor in the Department of Oral Health Science. Over the years, his research has resulted in the publishing of 65 peer-reviewed papers and three book chapters that have been presented nationally and internationally. 

“A rapid motivation for research started when I enrolled in a MS program in Microbiology and Immunology at my alma mater in Bogota, Colombia, shortly after graduating as a dentist, and it was consolidated later at UK during my PhD training. The curiosity to learn more about how oral diseases (particularly periodontal disease) were initiated and develop from cellular and molecular perspectives, with the hope to develop new and more effective strategies to prevent periodontitis was and is still a stronger driver for pursuing research. As a clinician/scientist, I believe research is a fundamental pillar of our school and profession that allows the constant evolution and development of novel therapeutic, but most importantly, preventive alternatives for our patients,” shares Gonzalez. 

Dr. Thamer Musbah – UKCD Dean’s Award for Achievements in Teaching  

Dr. Musbah joined UKCD in 2016 and is Chief of the Division of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine, and Oral Radiology and an Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Health Practice. He shares that when he first started teaching, he didn’t feel teaching came naturally to him, but that it has been a growing process with trial and error.  

“As a teacher, I strive to teach all students, but I evaluate my own teaching success through the success of those who struggle. I strongly believe that this additional effort is a major part that distinguishes a great teacher from an excellent one,” shares Musbah. “As a self-evaluation process, I review my annual student’s evaluation and feedback. I also self-evaluate student performance in the clinic as I have the advantage of being a didactic and a clinical faculty. This has allowed me to grow academically by implementing revisions to improve my presentation style, content, and length.” 

Clem Stambaugh – UKCD Staff Excellence Award  

Clem has been at UKCD for 18 years and is currently an Administrative Support Associate for three divisions. During this time, he has served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, Staff Senator, Co-chair of UKCD’s Staff Advisory Committee, and Co-Chair of the Staff Leadership Group in addition to supporting faculty and students.   

He shares, “Our students are the focus for all that we do! It is professionally fulfilling to know we (faculty and staff) strive to give our students the very best educational experience possible. My favorite aspect is doing my part to make our students feel welcome, feel supported, and feel prepared for busy careers after they graduate.” 

Karen Woolfork – UKCD Staff Excellence Award  

Karen has been a Patient Services Coordinator for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for approximately eight years. She supports her division through treatment planning, patient check-in and check-out, trauma emails, training her division’s Patient Service Coordinators, and much more.   

“I love being able to help others. Treating people, the way I would want to be treated has always been my thing. When elderly patients come in, I treat them like I would want my grandparents to be treated. When kids come in, I treat them like I would want someone to treat and care for my kid. I can never fill comfortable with myself knowing that I didn’t do all I could to help someone,” shares Woolfork.  

Information on submitting nominations for awards to be presented at the 2024 UKCD College Retreat will be posted in early 2024 at dentistry.uky.edu/awards.