Postgraduate Prosthodontics History and Alumni
History
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) enjoys a rich history of notable prosthodontists and solid prosthodontic training, having both outstanding graduates and nationally prominent faculty members. Postdoctoral prosthodontic training in Memphis dates to the early 1970’s when the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) sponsored the first formal program. Since its inception, resident training in the Advanced Prosthodontics Program was shared between the VAMC and the UTHSC, which were physically separated by only a few city blocks. In November of 2007, the Program was moved, in its entirety, to the Department of Prosthodontics at the UTHSC College of Dentistry. Both the Advanced Prosthodontics Clinic, Advanced Prosthodontics Laboratories, and program support facilities are housed on the 5th floor of the Winfield C. Dunn Dental Building at 875 Union Avenue.
Tennessee Prosthodontics Residents and Alumni
| Resident's Name (Dental School) | Program Duration | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Cheyenne Beckelman (University of Minnesota)
|
2024-27
|
Current 1st year resident |
|
Darren Nhan (UCLA)
|
2024-27
|
Current 1st year resident |
|
Paul Kuta (University of North Carolina)
|
2023-26
|
Current 2nd year resident |
|
Gage McNeish (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine)
|
2023-26
|
Current 2nd year resident |
|
Kevin Bibera (UCLA)
|
2022-25
|
Current 3rd year resident |
|
Jason Tupper (University College Cork – Ireland)
|
2022-25
|
Current 3rd year resident |
| Shahed Bayestehtarat (Univ. of Alberta - Canada) | 2021-24 | Consultant- Buffalo, New York |
| Tony Huynh (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2021-24 | Private Practice and UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Jenna C. Hubacz (Tufts University) | 2020-23 | Assistant Proffesor- University of Nebraska |
| Tylere Nunnery (University of Mississippi - Jackson) | 2020-23 | Private Practice- Houston, Texas |
| Rebecca Mayall (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2017-23 | UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Jane N. Moore (University of Alabama - Birmingham) | 2019-22 | UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Michelle Ruse* (University of North Carolina) | 2019-22 |
Maxillofacial Prosthodontics – Charleston, SC
|
| Brian Brodine* (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2018-21 | Private Practice - Atlanta GA |
| George "Ryan" Sloan* (Texas A&M) | 2018-21 | Private Practice - Reno NV |
| Jeffery Henderson (Nova Southeastern University) | 2017-20 | US Air Force - Anchorage AK |
| David Rua Perez (Rutgers School of Dental Medicine) | 2017-20 | Private Practice - Naples FL |
| Angela Gullard (University of Alabama - Birmingham) | 2016-19 | UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Leila M. Sears (Oregon Health & Sciences University) | 2016-19 | Private Practice - Medina OH |
| Paul D. Edgerley (University of Missouri-Kansas City) | 2015-18 | Private Practice – Kirkwood, MO |
| Jody L. Clements* (Roseman Univ of Health Sciences) | 2015-18 | ClearChoice - Salt Lake City UT |
| Nicholas G. Norvell (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2014-17 | Private Practice - Brentwood, TN |
| Aaron Omura* (Oregon Health & Sciences University) | 2014-17 | Private Practice - Ashland, OR |
| Sanjay Karunagaran* (University of Detroit Mercy) | 2013-16 | Private Practice – Medina, Ohio |
| Vaibhav Latthe (SMD College of Dental Sci - India) | 2013-16 | Private Practice - Shenandoah, TX |
| Amir El Hassan (Univ California San Francisco) | 2013-16 | Assistant Professor, University of Alabama |
| Nathan E. Robison (Univ of Minnesota School of Dentistry) | 2012-15 | Private Practice - Durango, CO |
| Wainscott Hollis* (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2009-15 | UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Pradeep C. Adatrow (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2011-14 | Private Practice and UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Jonathon S. Egbert (Creighton University) | 2011-14 | Private Practice - Salt Lake City, UT |
| Jenny Phung Stevens* (Temple University) | 2011-14 | US Air Force Prosthodontist |
| Sarah Gibbs (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2010-13 | Private Practice - Palm Coast, FL |
| Andrew Johnson* (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2010-13 | Private Practice - Fayetteville, AR |
| J. Heath Balch (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2009-12 | ClearChoice - Nashville TN |
| Russell D. Morrell (Temple University) | 2009-12 | Private Practice - Memphis TN |
| Mark J. Hopkins (University of Saskatchewan) | 2008-11 | Private Practice - Victoria, B.C., Canada |
| Nicholas L. Egbert* (Creighton University) | 2008-11 | Private Practice - Salt Lake City, UT |
| Vinay Jain (Govt. Dental College - India) | 2007-10 | UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Swati A. Ahuja (Nair Dental College - India) | 2006-09 | Private Practice - Mumbai, India |
| Jonathan M. Hart (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2006-09 | Private Practice - Little Rock, AR |
History Note: April 2006
On April 5, 2006, David Cagna petitioned the ADA-CODA to increase enrollment in the UTHSC Advanced Prosthodontics Program from 1 resident per year to 2 residents per year. On June 8, 2006, this request was approved. On November 30, 2007, the ADA-CODA approved a request to house the UTHSC Advanced Prosthodontics Program entirely at the UTHSC College of Dentistry.
| Resident's Name (Dental School) | Program Duration | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Suzanne K. Coco (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2005-08 | Private Practice - Little Rock, AR |
| Audrey M. Selecman (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2004-07 | UTHSC Faculty Member |
| John West Lewis (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2003-06 | Staff Prosthodontist, VAMC Memphis, TN |
History Note: July 2004
Upon John Gary's untimely death on April 26, 2004, Tony Wicks served as transitional coordinator of the UT Graduate Prosthodontics Program until David Cagna was appointed as permanent Director on July 1, 2004. At this point in time, the program was formally renamed the UTHSC Advanced Prosthodontics Program.
| Resident's Name (Dental School) | Program Duration | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Darton D. Taylor (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2002-05 | Private Practice and UTHSC Faculty Member |
| Paivi A. Samant (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2001-04 | Private Practice - Gainesville, FL |
| Ngoc H. Tran (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 2000-03 | Private Practice - Germantown, TN |
| Brendan Bernhart (UTHSC College of Dentistry) | 1998-01 | Private Practice - Fairfax, VA |
History Note: April 1997
In April 1997, Linda Wible communicated with the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation requesting that UT sponsor the Graduate Prosthodontics Program. William F. Bowles, Chair of the UT Department of Prosthodontics, provided a letter supporting this transition. The request was approved and Dr. Bowles assumed directorship of the Program. On December 22, 1998, John Gary was appointed Acting Director of the Advanced Prosthodontics Program.
| Resident's Name (Dental School) | Program Duration | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Larry D. Powell (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1996-99 | Private Practice - Hot Springs Village AR |
| Ettienne R. Van Zyl (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1995-97 | Private Practice - Rogers, AR |
| J. Scott Scallion (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1994-96 | Private Practice - Little Rock, AR |
| John C. Howell (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1993-95 | Private Practice - North Little Rock, AR |
| Michael McBride (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1992-94 | Meharry Dental School Faculty Member |
| Fredrick A. Shaw, III* (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1991-93 | Private Practice - Austin, TX |
| Kenneth K. Lisenby (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1990-92 | Retired |
History Note: April 1990
In April 1990, Linda Wible was appointed Director of the Prosthodontics Residency Program in the VAMC Memphis TN.
| Resident's Name (Dental School) | Program Duration | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Wegner (Northwestern Univ.) | 1989-91 | Unknown |
| William D. Caldwell (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1988-90 | Retired |
| Peter J. Simone (Tufts Univ.) | 1987-89 | Private Practice - Larchmont, NY |
| Marc A. Cohen (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1986-88 | Private Practice - Memphis, TN |
| John R. Popper (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1985-87 | Private Practice - Kingsport, TN |
| A. Max Metcalf (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1984-86 | Unknown |
| James J. Simone* (New York Univ.) | 1983-85 | Private Practice - Larchmont, NY |
| Harry W. McCool (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1982-84 | Private Practice - Lilburn, GA |
| Jeff Raphael (dental school unknown) | 1981-83 | Unknown |
| Thomas D. Flanders (SUNY at Buffalo) | 1980-82 | Private Practice - Murrells Inlet, SC |
| Michael A. Smith (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1979-81 | Private Practice - Germantown, TN |
| Linda O. Wible (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1978-80 | Retired |
| Tom Peaspanon (dental school unknown) | 1976-78 | Unknown |
| Carl W. Schulter* (Temple University) | 1975-77 | Private Practice - Memphis, TN |
History Note: 1975
In 1975, Stephen Garrett was appointed Director of the Prosthodontics Residency Program in the VAMC Memphis TN.
| Resident's Name (Dental School) | Program Duration | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Foltz (dental school unknown) | 1974-76 | Deceased |
| Arthur Swanson (Southern Illinois Univ.) | 1973-75 | Retired |
| Stephen E. Garrett* (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1972-74 | Retired |
| Terence C. Hilger (Case Western Reserve Univ.) | 1970-72 | UTHSC Faculty Member |
| William E. Smith* (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1970-72 | Retired |
| David Owens (Louisianan State Univ.) | 1968-70 | Unknown |
| Jack A. Tyson* (Univ. Tennessee, Memphis) | 1968-70 | Retired |
* indicates Diplomate status, American Board of Prosthodontics.
Tennessee Prosthodontic Program Directors
| Director's Name | Appointment Date | Completion Date | Appointment |
|---|---|---|---|
| David R. Cagna, DMD, MS* | July 1, 2004 | Present | Program Director |
| Russell A. Wicks, DDS, MS | April 26, 2004 | July 1, 2004 | Transitional Coordinator |
| John J. Gary, DDS* | Dec. 22, 1998 | April 26, 2004 | Acting Director |
| William F. Bowles, III, DDS* | April 2, 1997 | Dec. 22, 1998 | Program Director |
| Linda O. Wible, DDS | May 1990 | April 2, 1997 | Program Director |
| Stephen E. Garrett, DDS* | 1975 | May 1990 | Program Director |
| James R. Douglas, DDS, MS | 1972 | 1975 | Program Director |
| Robert T. Holt, DDS* | 1970 | 1972 | Program Director |
* indicates Diplomate status, American Board of Prosthodontics.
UT Prosthodontics Alumni and Friends
The University of Tennessee and the Advanced Prosthodontics Program is proud of its rich tradition and outstanding graduates over the years and wants to stay in touch with alumni. All are welcome to contact the program to update their current activities in the Program's database or visit the program any time they find themselves in the Memphis area. A number of recent graduates are networking to initiate a formal alumni group and an annual meeting to foster UT camaraderie, professional growth and personal development.
Alumni are encouraged to contact the Program with suggestions for the future or to express and interest in participating in the ongoing educational mission of advanced prosthodontics. Please feel free to contact the Program Director at:
David R. Cagna, DMD, MS
UTHSC College of Dentistry
Department of Prosthodontics
Advanced Prosthodontics Program
875 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38163
Dept. Office: 901-448-6930
Clinic: 901-448-7180
Fax: 901-448-1294
E-mail: dcagna@uthsc.edu