Dr. Priscilla Chang Receives Daniel Award at University of IL at Chicago College of Dentistry

Oct. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Dr. Bruce Graham, Dean, and Dr. Charlotte Briggs, Director of the Office of Dental Education, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry, announced that Dr. Priscilla Chang, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, and an alumna of the College, has been awarded the 2011 Jon Daniel Teaching Award.

The Daniel Award was established in 2010 in memory of longtime Oral Biology faculty member Dr. Jon Daniel, to honor instructors who have made exemplary contributions to the learning of UIC dental students.

“I was lost for words when I heard I was chosen for this award,” Dr. Chang said. “I am extremely honored and flattered that the students and faculty chose me. But what makes this award even more meaningful to me is that Jon Daniel taught me when I was a dental student. He was so smart, sharp, and inspirational, and was an amazing presenter. I hope that I can live up to such a prestigious honor.”  

Since joining the UIC College of Dentistry faculty in 2007, Dr. Chang has demonstrated the qualities cited in the award: “engage students’ interest, curiosity, and motivation to learn; challenge students to achieve breadth and depth in their understanding, and excellence in their skills; support students in their learning by fostering clarity, meaningfulness, and confidence; and respond to student needs win ways that keep learning at the center of the educational enterprise.”

“Dr. Chang is known to students as a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and reassuring presence in the classroom and in pre-patient care activities,” Dr. Briggs said. “She has gone above and beyond her normal teaching duties to develop professional quality videos to help students learn dental procedures, and has conducted research on the effectiveness of video as a teaching tool.”

“I feel very lucky to teach UIC College of Dentistry students because they all start school self-motivated, curious, and eager to learn new skills,” Dr. Chang explained. “The courses I teach are fundamental to general dentists, and the students learn knowledge and skills that are paramount to the rest of their careers.

“They already come into the course excited to learn, which makes me excited to teach, and this energy builds as we learn about Comprehensive Care and Restorative dentistry,” she continued. “Huddles, small group discussion, and making sure to spend one-on-one time with each student in clinic and laboratory helps me understand how each student learns.  I can then adapt my teaching methods to each student’s learning style.”  

“Despite her junior faculty status, Dr. Chang has contributed tremendous leadership to the development of the College’s new DMD program, particularly through her remarkable organizational skills and ability to create order out of even the most complex scheduling challenges,” Dr. Briggs said.

“I actually do not believe I do anything ‘extra’ for the students; I just try to perform my job the best that I can,” Dr. Chang said. “When I teach, I think back to when I was a student and I remember all the qualities of an instructor that I appreciated; I try my best to emulate and demonstrate these same characteristics.

“The team I teach with is invaluable, and together we hope that we’re doing our best and our students are learning to their fullest potential,” she continued. “Our pre-patient care team works very well together, and it is truly all of our efforts which contribute to the student successes in our courses.”

On hand for the award presentation were Dr. Daniel’s widow, Jayne Daniel, and their daughter, Lauren Daniel.

“I would like to thank Mrs. Daniel and her family for their continued support in dental education,” Dr. Chang said. “I am very grateful to receive the Jon Daniel Teaching Scholars Award.”

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The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry awards the DMD degree and certificates and Master’s degrees in several dental specialty areas. The College also provides oral healthcare and education to patients. The UIC College of Dentistry has determined that graduates must be competent to:
 Make clinical decisions on the basis of the best available clinical research evidence, i.e. to provide "evidence-based patient care";
 Evaluate and integrate evolving biotechnological advances into dental practice;
 Plan and provide patient care within the context of health promotion and disease prevention;
 Apply the principles and codes of professional ethics to balance the patient care and business/financial demands of dental practice;
 Function as an effective lifelong learner by actively evaluating patient therapy outcomes and acquiring knowledge/skills to improve patient care results.