Fund Named for Dr. Indru C. Punwani at U of IL at Chicago

CHICAGO - April 17, 2014 - PRLog -- The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry recently established the Dr. Indru C. Punwani Resident and Faculty Development Endowment Fund to help students, residents, and faculty share the Department of Pediatric Dentistry’s patient care innovations and research breakthroughs with others in the profession, and to learn about developments that can advance the College’s own Pediatric Dentistry oral health care and education efforts.

         Dr. Dale C. Nickelsen, ’62, Pediatric Dentistry ’63, MS Pediatric Dentistry ’69, and Retired Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry; and Dr. Ronald G. Testa, ’72, MS Pediatric Dentistry ’76, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry, are leading the effort to raise money for the Punwani Fund with the backing of Department of Pediatric Dentistry Head Dr. Marcio da Fonseca.

Since joining the faculty in 1972 and serving as Head of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry from 1981 to 2013, Dr. Punwaniworked with more than 40 classes of Pediatric Dentistry residents and hundreds of predoctoral students.

         His work has brought global attention to the College andhas resulted in several State dental initiatives and legislation; he helped develop the Institutional Review Board at UIC; and he is a Past President of several pediatric dental organizations.

         “Ask him about his greatest source of pride, however, and he will not tell you about his own accomplishments,” Dr. Nickelsen said. “Instead, he will tell you about the department’s residents and faculty.”

         “The Department of Pediatric Dentistry at UIC has had a rich culture of academic excellence, and we have made contributions in Pediatric Dentistry teaching and research nationally and internationally,” Dr. Punwani said. “We have been committed to sending our residents to local and national meetings, where faculty and residents have presented collaborative scholarly papers. Such activity has a direct value to residents, to the profession, and to the public.”

         “Expenses for travel to and from and lodging at such meetings and other related needs require funding not available from College resources, however,” Dr. Testa said.

         Recently, Dr. Punwani earned the Lewis A. Kay Award from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Pediatric Dental Associates. The award honors the director of a pediatric dental program that best educates pediatric dental residence and contributes to society and to the profession.

         A $2,500 award was included, “and Dr. Punwani generously provided it to the College to establish the fund, to allow the department to enhance the educational experience of students, residents, and faculty, providing support for attendance at meetings, research projects, and other unbudgeted items,” Dr. Nickelsen said.

         The Department of Pediatric Dentistry and the College would welcome contributions to the Dr. Indru C. Punwani Fund.

         “Your gift will benefit our residents, or program, our profession, and the public for decades to come, while it enhances the renown of your Department of Pediatric Dentistry and shows your gratitude for the impact Dr. Punwani has had on our careers,” Dr. Testa said.

         For information about contributing to the Dr. Indru C. Punwani Fund, contact Director of Development Bruno Mancari at (312) 413-3554 or bmancari@uic.edu.