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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
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