Dr. Jean O’Donnell serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. In her role she also serves as chair of the first-professional curriculum committee and as the academic integrity officer for the school. Dr. O’Donnell’s office is responsible for the management and implementation of the curriculum for the first-professional program.
Dr. O’Donnell graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1976 with a BS degree in nursing and completed a master’s degree in pediatric nursing in 1981. She worked at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh before matriculating into the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where she completed her DMD degree in 1990. Dr. O’Donnell is currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration at the University.
Dr. O’Donnell joined the School of Dental Medicine as faculty in 1999 as a part-time instructor while maintaining a private general dental practice. She accepted a full-time faculty position in 2003 and is an associate professor in the department of Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care. Dr. O’Donnell is a 2008 graduate of the American Dental Association (ADEA) Leadership Institute and remains active on the alumni board. She is also one of the school’s liaisons to the ADEA Commission on Change and Innovation in dental education and the school’s Women’s Liaison Officer with ADEA. Dr. O’Donnell is also a member of OKU, the national dental honor society.
Dr. O’Donnell’s research interests include curriculum, prescription drug abuse, tobacco cessation and interprofessional education. Dr. O’Donnell has collaborated with her colleagues in these areas and on NIH and other funded research projects.