Richard Fredekind, DMD, MA, is the 2017 winner of the CDA Foundation’s Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award, which honors the leadership, innovation, collaboration, compassion, philanthropy, and integrity of a faculty member affiliated with any of the six dental schools in California.
Fredekind has held administrative and instructional positions at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific for 33 years, currently serving as executive associate dean. He has spearheaded key school initiatives and led 11 student group practices comprising 75 students each.
During his 15 years as associate clinical dean, Fredekind led the school’s transition to an electronic health record and centralized sterilization. In December 2016, he was named a member of the Strategic Planning Oversight Committee to help guide the development of the school’s new “Transforming the Future of Oral Health” strategic plan.
“Every one of these opportunities taught me about people, what motivates them, and how to guide them forward, together,” said Fredekind, a 1979 graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
In 2001, Fredekind created a clinic mission statement at Pacific Dugoni to help guide clinical treatment decisions. The next year, he developed clinical faculty orientations to help calibrate faculty. Also, he collaborated with a large group of stakeholders to implement a paperless clinic information system to improve the way dentistry is taught and how patients are treated.
During the 1990s, Fredekind worked with the Trauma Foundation at San Francisco General Hospital to create a reporting template for needlestick injuries. He has worked with Project Homeless Connect to treat the homeless population in San Francisco, partnered with the San Mateo Medical Center to treat its patients, and collaborated with the San Francisco Department of Public Health for more than 25 years to care for HIV-positive patients.
“One of Fredekind’s greatest qualities is how he exemplifies our humanistic approach to education,” said Nader A. Nadershahi, DDS, MBA, EdD, dean of Pacific Dugoni. “He models a respectful, supportive, and helpful nature that brings out these qualities in others. Supporting our school’s culture is of paramount importance, and I am grateful for the qualities he brings to his role.”
“Dr. Fredekind seems to be always present, literally present in the building, at events, online, giving his time, talents, and energy to the school and its community anywhere and anytime he is needed,” said Elisa M. Chavez, DDS, associate professor of diagnostic sciences at Pacific Dugoni.
“This award will help me, and us, continue teaching students effectively,” said Fredekind, who hopes to apply the funds toward the purchase of technology. “We are embarking on a strategic planning process that will direct us forward in bold ways, and I want to apply the funds to support communication that will engage students in 2020.”
Applications for the 2018 Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Award will be accepted from January 1, 2018, through March 31, 2018. Recipients may receive a one-time scholarship award of up to $5,000. Application and nomination guidelines as well as a list of past recipients are available at cdafoundation.org/awards.
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