Return to Main Menu
|
Dr. Smith, professor of dentistry,
dies Nov. 10
Thomas Burn Smith, DMD, professor of general dentistry, died on Nov.
10. The memorial service was held in St. Lukes Chapel, Nov. 13.
Dr. Smith was born in Augusta, Ga., Aug. 10, 1968, the son of Myrna
Cook Smith. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He
attended the University of South Carolina from 1990 to 1994, where he
earned a bachelor of science degree in biology.
He had honors awarded in the fields of zoology, herpetology, and
entomology. He was a member and past president of Pi Phi Social
Fraternity.
He attended MUSC from 1994 to 1998, where he earned a doctor of dental
medicine degree. He was a member of the USC Student Alumni Association,
American Student Dental Association/American Dental Association, member
and past president (grand master) of Delta Sigma Delta Dental
Fraternity, Dental Research Group, student award of merit, American
Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and the dean's list six semesters.
He was a member of Fort Moultrie Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans and
an avid outdoorsman.
Surviving are his wife, Virginia Girardeau Smith, of Charleston; his
mother; a son, Matthew Thomas Smith of Charleston; a daughter,
Elizabeth Girardeau Smith of Charleston; a brother, Robbie Smith and
his wife, Valerie of Birmingham, Ala.; three brothers-in-law, Edward
Girardeau and his wife, Renee, John Girardeau and his wife, Nancy, and
Robert Girardeau and his wife, Judi, all of Aiken; mother-and
father-in-law, Bet and Ted Girardeau of Aiken.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to College of Dental Medicine
in memory of Dr. Thomas Smith, Health Sciences Foundation, MUSC, P.O.
Box 250201, Charleston, SC, 29425.
“A
person’s life can be measured in many ways. Tom’s can be
measured in the many students he touched and the many patients he
helped. Tom lives on in the hearts and minds of his students, patients
and coworkers. We will miss him but always remember him fondly.”
—John Sanders, DDS, Dean,
College of Dental Medicine, and Professor, Division of Periodontics
“I had
the good fortune to know Tom as both a student and colleague.
His kind and helpful manner endeared him to his students and earned the
respect of his peers. Tom cared very much for all of us. When he
learned of his illness and that he would be out of work for a while, he
thought of us. I still have an e-mail to the Operative Faculty. An
excerpt from that message speaks volumes: ‘At this time I’m not really
able to predict how my condition will effect my position at MUSC.... I
apologize in advance for any inconvenience thiscauses for any of you.
Tom.’ Tom was concerned for us even as he faced his own serious
illness.”
—Dan Sneed, DMD, Professor and
Chairman, Department of General Dentistry
“I
knew Tom as a student and enjoyed my many interactions with him related
to his academic and clinical progress. He impressed me
the most with his enthusiasm for clinical dentistry and was on
the dean’s list for many semesters. I worked very closely with Tom
during his tenure as a faculty member. He demanded perfection in
clinical operative dentistry from the students and knew first hand the
students who needed extra help and assistance. He went above and beyond
the call of duty in providing additional clinical instruction to
students as needed and requested. Tom was also a member of the College
of Dental Medicine Student Admissions Committee. In this capacity he
did an exemplary job in interviewing the prospective dental students
and assessing their credentials and potential as future dentists. I
will always remember Tom as a compassionate and dedicated faculty
member who always did his best in helping the student.”
—Tariq Javed, DMD, Associate
Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and Professor, Division of
Periodontics
Friday, Nov. 18, 2005
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.
|