Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The year 2023 will be a significant one as two of our most distinguished, respected, and inspirational leaders will retire from Pitt Dental Medicine. Dr. Joe Giovannitti, Chair of Dental Anesthesiology, and Dr. Deb Studen-Pavlovich, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, are retiring in January and August, respectively.
Words cannot adequately express what Dr. Deb and Dr. Gio have meant to Pitt Dental Medicine. Their commitment to our school has been sincere and impactful as they have touched so many lives in the years they have served. As part of the Pitt Dental Medicine faculty for many years (20 years for Dr. Gio and 35 years for Dr. Deb, in addition to their years as students here), they have been able to work with our bright and talented students and helped them grow to be compassionate and highly skilled dental providers. They worked with amazing staff who went above and beyond the call to ensure the comfort of our patients and to support our students and residents. They have collaborated with their colleagues and contributed knowledge and ideas to improve oral health regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Both Dr. Deb and Dr. Gio started at Pitt Dental Medicine as students who, with the support of classmates, staff, and faculty, worked hard and perfected their skills to become dental professionals and leaders. But they did not stop at simply being leaders at Pitt Dental Medicine; they have distinguished themselves nationally as leaders in their disciplines.
To honor Dr. Deb and Dr. Gio during this special retirement year, we are asking you to consider making a donation to the Pediatric Dental Care Fund on Pitt Day of Giving. This fund allows us to provide patient care to children in need. Our programs serving uninsured and vulnerable populations have been so meaningful and impactful to families in need. For example, residents, dental students, faculty, and staff participate annually in Give Kids a Smile Day and have provided over $180,000 in free dental care during the 20 years of this event. Also, through this fund residents have provided interceptive orthodontic care to uninsured patients and those under federal assistance programs that do not cover these treatments.
We hope you will join other alumni and friends of Pitt Dental Medicine in honoring Dr. Deb and Dr. Gio by supporting this fund that is so meaningful to them. Please consider donating to the Pediatric Dental Care Fund on Pitt Day of Giving, February 21, 2023.
Thank you again for supporting our School’s mission of improving oral health through teaching, research, and service. Your support makes this mission possible, and we are grateful that you are part of the Pitt Dental Medicine community.
Sincerely,
Marnie Oakley