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CDM expands under DeChamplain leadership

by Heather Woolwine
Public Relations
After a career at MUSC spanning decades, Richard DeChamplain will retire from the College of Dental Medicine June 30. Dean of the College of Medicine since 1993, DeChamplain leaves behind a college bettered by his organization and integrity.

“I’m going to miss his collegial spirit and his supportive, team approach,” said Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., MUSC president. “Dean DeChamplain is an experienced leader. As one might expect of an oral surgeon, he’s organized and attentive to details. Having spent much of his career in the military as well, he sets clear goals and is straightforward in his approach. He’s been a pleasure to work with for the nine years that I’ve been at the Medical University.”

Dr. Richard DeChamplain

DeChamplain graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1958 and served a one-year internship at Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, D.C. Following a year of graduate school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, he returned to Walter Reed hospital for a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery in 1963. 

A retired U.S. Army Colonel, DeChamplain served in various positions in the military including chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery consultant to the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Theater, Honolulu; chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service and Dentac commander, Letterman Army Medical Center, San Francisco; and director of Dental Service, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. He also served in France and Germany.

DeChamplain was recruited to MUSC in 1979 as professor and chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and chairman of the Department of Hospital Dentistry. 

In 1988, he assumed additional duties as assistant dean for Hospital Affairs and Graduate Programs and in January 1993 became interim dean of the College of Dental Medicine. He assumed the position permanently in October.

In the past 10 years, the college changed in many ways thanks to DeChamplain.

“The college expanded its research program and brought in the largest grant in its history,” Greenberg said. “It now has a DMD-Ph.D. program and has built ties with the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research. A community outreach program was established with the initiation of the dental van and visits to various elementary schools. Even planning for a new clinical education facility has already been completed, and substantial funds have been raised towards its construction.”

“Dr. D was a very student oriented dean. He generously supported students’ participation in the activities of student organizations at the local, state, and national levels,” said Tariq Javed, DMD. “He met with student leaders on a regular basis to listen to their concerns and did all he could to genuinely help the student body as a whole. He created multiple scholarships for needy students and earned student appreciation in this regard…He is a most compassionate and understanding human being with great sensitivity toward others’ points of view and well-being. We will all miss him. However, with 20 years of service in the Army Dental Corps and 25 years of service to MUSC, he has earned the privilege to take it easy and see his grandchildren a little more often.”

The author of more than 25 publications, DeChamplain’s commitments to oral surgery and dental education have not only landed him praise and admiration from colleagues but have prepared the College of Dental Medicine for the future.

“Dean DeChamplain has prepared the college for its next phase of development. Building upon the strong educational foundations, the college is poised to expand its research capabilities as well as its clinical services,” Greenberg said. “His leadership will be missed, but he leaves behind a legacy of great accomplishment.”

Although he acknowledged that he would miss the people he worked with, DeChamplain is looking forward to traveling for pleasure rather business and spending more time with his family. He remained optimistic for the future of the college, “The study of dental medicine is progressing positively and rapidly, and the future is very promising. I am greatly anticipating the completion of the new James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine.”

New Leader, Continued Vision
Despite budget woes and statewide pressures affecting the path of the College of Dental Medicine, Jack Sanders, DDS, interim dean for the CDM, chairman of stomatology and director of the periodontics residency program, is optimistic. He sees a bright future built on the work of DeChamplain and, like his predecessor, seems committed to the spirit and cooperation of teamwork.

Dr. Jack Sanders

“We’re dealing with a very tough situation right now,” Sanders said. “It can be difficult to keep morale up when people aren’t getting pay raises, tuition rates are increasing, and the overall tough economy, but if we all pull together, we’ll get through it.”

Sanders is quick to mention that his optimism isn’t unfounded; instead he points to increased interdisciplinary research, great cooperation and mutual respect among students and faculty, and quality leadership from Greenberg and John Raymond, M.D., vice president of academic affairs and provost.

“We are fortunate to have Dr. Sanders available to step into the role of interim dean,” Greenberg said. “He’s an experienced administrator who is highly regarded by the faculty, students, and alumni. He’s taken on this new role with enthusiasm and energy, and I’m confident that he will help take the college to new levels of achievement.”

While MUSC searches the state and the nation for someone to fill the position of dean permanently, Sanders plans to approach his appointment with enthusiasm. He already sought to re-energize students, faculty and staff within the CDM through study groups whose tasks range from looking at general ideas for making the college a better place to finance improvements.

Like most colleges and universities across the state, the CDM fell victim to numerous budget slashes and saw a significant decline in state funding over the past few years. For example, in 1991 the CDM saw 80 percent of its funding come from the state, compared to today’s 31 percent.

Unfortunately, this translates into a budget deficit for the college and the slowing of progress towards the new James B. Edwards clinical facilities. Maintaining a highly qualified and well-prepared applicant pool for the college remains a stronghold for the school, but with the 30-year-old training labs currently in use, students need better designed space to accommodate the college’s growing needs.

Sanders delivered the information with a promise. “We’re not going away, no matter what kinds of challenges we face,” he said. “We have incredibly supportive alumni, partnerships with other colleges, and the dedication of students, faculty, the board, and the South Carolina Dental Association that will see us through these harder times.”

Friday, June 4, 2004
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.