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Congratulations to Dr. Leticia Guajardo-Morales, the Foundation for Endodontics & Endo1 Partners ADEA 2022-23 Scholar!

The Foundation for Endodontics and Endo1 Partners sponsors an endodontic educator’s participation in the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute helps to further develop dental faculty and enables a growing pool of outstanding academicians to become academic leaders in dental institutions.

“It’s important to us to take part in the educational support that prepares future dental professionals. Our commitment allows us to contribute to continued advancements in the industry while playing a role in their pending careers,” said Dr. Matthew Haddad, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Endo1 Partners.

We had the opportunity to speak with the scholarship recipient, Dr. Leticia Guajardo-Morales, Associate Professor at UT Health Houston School of Dentistry recently about her experience in the program.

Foundation: Why were you initially interested in the ADEA Leadership Institute?
Dr. Guajardo-Morales: I wanted to enhance my leadership skills and network with other dental leaders.

Q: Would you have been able to participate in the program without the scholarship?
A: No, due to budget constraints my department has very limited discretionary funds for travel.

Q: What were the greatest takeaways from the Leadership Institute?
A:

  • Always seek new ways to reach your students.
  • Never hesitate to reach out to your peers.
  • Poll your students and get buy in from them when you want to make changes.

Q: Why do you feel it is important for endodontists to be involved at a leadership level in academics?
A: I feel it is important to be an effective leader to move the specialty of endodontics forward, to graduate competent practitioners, meeting new challenges and leading innovation and change.

Q: What are your professional goals as an educator?
A: Ultimately, I would like to become board certified and become a program director. As a result of this institute, I can even see myself as an associate dean or another position in administration.

Q: Are there takeaways from the Leadership Institute that have affected how you serve your students on a day-to-day basis?
A: Yes, I have adapted to the new ways to communicate with students and my peers. I have also learned new innovative ways to reach them. Because of this institute I was able to revise our core requirements without sacrificing skill set and knowledge.

Q: Share a little bit about yourself, your background, your interests, etc.
A: I am an Associate Professor of the Department of Endodontics; I began my academic career volunteering for The University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston (UTSD) in 2012. In 2013, my position changed to a part–time status, and in August 2014, I joined UTSD as a full–time faculty. My research interests are in Clinical Endodontics, use of BigMouth Dental Data Repository and Patient outcomes, related to different systematic disease.

Congratulations, Dr. Guajardo-Morales, and thank you Endo1 Partners for your strong support of the specialty and its future.