Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine - Illinois adds Dr. Umar Haque to its Faculty

Sept. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Midwestern University has a long tradition of providing exceptional educational experiences to students in medicine, pharmacy, and other health-related disciplines. It now has the distinction of adding a College of Dental Medicine to its Illinois campus. The inaugural class (Class of 2015) of Midwestern University's College of Dental Medicine - Illinois (CDMI) just matriculated in August 2011. CDMI students will learn the interdisciplinary roles that are a part of the delivery of optimal oral health as a component of overall general health. Midwestern University's CDMI administration and faculty are leaders committed to excellence in education and patient care, who also strive to contribute to the future of the dental profession. The faculty will provide a collegial and positive environment for student learning in one of the most worthy and needed professional disciplines of our healthcare system. The dean is Dr. Lex MacNeil, and Dr. Darryn Weinstein, and Dr. Frank Licari are the Associate Deans. They have vested an enormous amount of time and energy to bringing Midwestern College of Dental Medicine – Illinois to fruition.

The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine - Illinois is dedicated to the highest standards of academic excellence, a holistic approach to oral healthcare, and a commitment to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge. The College of Dental Medicine - Illinois is recognized as the leader of oral healthcare in the state of Illinois through its commitment to:
- Patient-centered, comprehensive oral care founded on the principles of ethical practice, scientific research, and evidence-based decision making
- An integrated educational program utilizing state-of-the-art resources and practices
- Engagement in collaborative research, scholarly activity, and translational scholarship for the improvement of overall health
- The graduation of highly qualified, empathetic oral healthcare professionals who possess the knowledge, skills, judgment, and respect for patients that is required for independent ethical practice

The College of Dental Medicine - Illinois will achieve its mission and vision through emphasis on the following goals:
- Patient-centered, comprehensive care that holistically considers the entire person in relation to their environment
- Innovative educational programs that prepare students for ethical clinical practice of the highest quality
- Scholarly achievement and research that emphasizes discovery and the expansion of knowledge in education, learning, and healthcare delivery
- Lifelong learning that emphasizes professional development and continuous change, based on science and evidence
- Provision of oral healthcare to challenged populations and communities
- Leadership in the provision of oral healthcare that is developed among students, faculty, and staff through integrity, innovation, responsibility, and service to the community
- Mutual respect and professionalism, modeled by the faculty, that engenders an atmosphere of cooperation, teamwork, shared knowledge, and collegial respect
- Diversity that is highly valued and visible among students, staff, faculty, and patients
- Development of an interdisciplinary model that prepares practitioners for the healthcare team of the future

Dr. Umar Haque was brought on as a faculty member at Midwestern College of Dental Medicine - Illinois to teach in the pre-clinical setting initially. He currently maintains a private dental practice called Oak Brook Smiles in nearby Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Dr. Haque recently published his first book, “Dental 101: The 101 Factors You Should Know Before Going to the Dentist” and started the Passion 4 Dentistry Study Club for practicing dentists. “I am excited to be involved with an institution like Midwestern. The amount of technology that was placed in the pre-clinical simulation lab is extraordinary. The hands-on and interactive approach to teaching is second to none, and the academic atmosphere that Dr. MacNeil has created compels one to enjoy the experience of dental education. Dr. Van Kanegan has established an amazing course on the Introduction to dentistry with Dr. Kanjarath and Dr. Drahos, and I am thrilled to be a part of the team that will educate the first class of doctors of dental medicine at Midwestern’s Illinois campus!”