Faculty Milestone Achieved

After 22 years as a librarian at LSUSD, Dr. Julie Schiavo recently received an Education Doctorate (EdD) in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). At the same time, she completed a certificate program in Instructional Technology and Design. She successfully presented her dissertation, titled "The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Faculty towards Scholarly and Predatory Open Access Publishing" this summer. "It has been a long road with ups and downs and many nights without nearly enough sleep. I had always planned to return to school for a doctorate, but it never seemed to be the right time to embark on such a long and time-consuming journey. I finally decided it was now or never, so I applied and was accepted into the program at USM. I am looking forward to using my new knowledge and skills to better serve the faculty, staff, residents, and students here at LSUSD. I feel that my experiences as a doctoral student will also help me become a better instructor because I can truly relate to the students as they navigate their coursework at the dental school," says Julie.

After 22 years as a librarian at LSUSD, Dr. Julie Schiavo recently received an Education Doctorate (EdD) in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). At the same time, she completed a certificate program in Instructional Technology and Design. She successfully presented her dissertation, titled "The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Faculty towards Scholarly and Predatory Open Access Publishing" this summer. "It has been a long road with ups and downs and many nights without nearly enough sleep. I had always planned to return to school for a doctorate, but it never seemed to be the right time to embark on such a long and time-consuming journey. I finally decided it was now or never, so I applied and was accepted into the program at USM. I am looking forward to using my new knowledge and skills to better serve the faculty, staff, residents, and students here at LSUSD. I feel that my experiences as a doctoral student will also help me become a better instructor because I can truly relate to the students as they navigate their coursework at the dental school," says Julie.

Dr. Schiavo says she specifically chose to pursue an EdD to become an innovator and changemaker in health sciences librarianship and education. The EdD degree is a scholarly, practice-based and action-oriented program which seeks to provide educational professionals with the theoretical-based knowledge to enact change. As Gordon Kirk, from the University of Edinburgh, said, “The PhD is to understand the world. The EdD is to change the world.” The coursework and research as part of the EdD program will help give Dr. Schiavo new perspectives on higher education, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the library’s role in the educational process. She says, "I am eager to implement some of the ideas for new programs and services which have grown from my time in the program."

Currently, Dr. Schiavo serves as an Associate Librarian and the LSUHSC-NO Libraries’ Assistant Director for Dental Library Services. Her role here at the Dental Library has grown and changed since her hiring in January 2000, as an Instructor of Medical Bibliography and Reference Librarian. However, she says her commitment to providing the best library service possible to the LSUSD community has never changed, which is something that she credits one of her mentors, Liz Strother with instilling in her.  Serving as the head dental librarian since 2014, she oversees the daily operation of the Dental Library, provides reference and instruction to the LSUHSC-NO community, runs the LSUHSC-NO Libraries’ systematic review support service, provides collection development recommendations, and acts as a liaison between the dental school and library administration. She says she is always searching for better and more innovative ways to serve LSUSD.

"I am so happy to have served the LSUSD community as one of your librarians for so long; the dental school is a great place to work. With this new degree, new and exciting opportunities will present themselves for me to proudly continue to represent both the libraries and the dental school at regional and national conferences and within associations. I am always open to new ideas, opportunities to collaborate, and opportunities to reach out to the community. Although I haven’t become accustomed to being called Dr. Schiavo yet, maybe one day it will happen. One thing that will not change is what has become my motto as a librarian, "What can I do to help?"

We are fortunate to have Dr. Julie Schiavo working here at the dental school, as she provides an integral resource to faculty, staff, students and residents.

To read Dr. Schiavo's dissertation please click HERE.

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Dentistry

Guest column by:
Nisha Manila BDS, PhD
Assistant Professor, LSU School of Dentistry

Modern dental artificial intelligence (AI) research is promising and there is a rising need for potential clinical trials. As such, AI technology is not likely to change the practice of dentistry in the interim. However, the increasing triumph of AI in medicine is a signal of possibility for this technology in dentistry.

The aspiration for personalized patient-centric treatment in dentistry would entail the potential growth of AI technology that can take responses from a patient’s electronic health records and imaging studies as well as behavior, economic and social factors. This technology would slowly change the way we see our patients; however, it is impossible to replace dentists as any dental treatment choices formulated by AI will not regard the compassionate factors of decision-making in patient care and management.

Moreover, the success of dental treatment is essentially reliant on patient factors. Building rapport and counseling patients in behavior modification are the skills AI is implausible to substitute in dental practice. The sole talents of dentists and AI technology have the possibility to work harmoniously to enhance patient care. At present, greater advances in dental AI research and policies to vanquish the questions linked with the application of AI technology are necessary.

The original article, which was published in the Louisiana Dental Association Fall 2022 Journal, can be found HERE.

Students Thank School Supporters During Thank-a-Thon

Dozens of LSU Health School of Dentistry students helped the school thank its biggest supporters. The Office of Alumni Affairs hosted a lunchtime thank-a-thon event on November 7th. The annual event was on pause due to COVID and the first one held since 2019. More than 300 of the school’s donors were thanked personally by our students. “It’s a great way for students to see just how many people are supporting them in their journey to become dental practitioners,” says Dr. Toby Cheramie, Associate Dean of Admissions, Student Services and Alumni. “We are always looking for ways to get involved at the school. Students are happy to help!” says Hana Alkhafaf, D4 student.

Students Enjoy Days of Appreciation

The Office of Student Affairs hosted three days of appreciation for LSUSD students. Dozens of students filtered through the office from November 15-17th. They were treated to goodies and hot coffee as well as a raffle. The Director of Student Affairs, Heather Allen, spearheaded the event. She says, "We are so thankful for our students and the unique qualities they bring to the school. This is an opportunity to show our appreciation and acknowledge how hard the students work. It is a great time to see everyone smile and enjoy each other's company."