William Butler retires

NASHVILLE, Tennessee--Meharry Medical College President and CEO Wayne J. Riley, M.D., MPH, MBA, MACP has announced the retirement of dean of the School of Dentistry, William B. Butler, DDS, MS, FACP.

Dr. Butler has served in the position the past 10 years. His retirement is effective July 31, 2010.

Two-time Meharry alumnus Billy R. Ballard, DDS, MD, will serve as interim dean. Meharry will launch a national search for a new dean. Dr. Butler will continue to serve Meharry as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, and senior advisor to President Riley.

“It is with mixed feelings that I announce my decision to retire,” Dr. Butler said. “As I look back over my career, I realize how truly blessed I have been. It has been an honor and a privilege working at Meharry on the mission of meeting the health care needs of the underserved and living up to our motto, ‘Worship of God Through Service to Mankind.’”

Dr. Butler has been with Meharry for 33 years. During this time, he has served as chair of the Department of Prosthodontics 16 years and associate dean for Academic Affairs one year before his appointment as dean.

Notable accomplishments in Dr. Butler’s time as dean include upgrades to the dental equipment in all dental schools, implementation of the first White Coat ceremony for junior dental students at Meharry, and establishment of a dental implantology program and electronic dental records.

One of the greatest accomplishments under Dr. Butler’s leadership was completing an accreditation site visit conducted by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation that resulted in a “sterling” review for the School of Dentistry.

“Dr. Butler’s accomplishments during his full 33-year tenure at Meharry are indeed impressive and have positioned the School of Dentistry for further growth and development in the years ahead,” Riley said. “By recruiting numerous, highly qualified faculty and by improving the caliber of matriculating students, Dr. Butler has been able to foster significant enhancements that have helped to improved the quality of education at Meharry.”

For more information, go to www.mmc.edu.

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