Dr. Eric
Hovland, Past Dean,
Retires
Eric J.
Hovland, DDS, MEd, MBA,
professor of endodontics,
and dean of the LSUHSC
School of Dentistry from
1993 to 2008, retired at
the end of January. He had
directed the Office of
Advanced Education since
2008.
Dr. Hovland received a BS
from the University of
Maryland in 1968 and a DDS
from the University of
Maryland School of
Dentistry in 1972.
Following graduation he
served in the Air Force
Dental Corps for three
years. He then completed
the endodontic residency
at the Medical College of
Virginia in 1977; at the
same time he received a
masters in adult education
from Virginia Commonwealth
University.
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Dean
Gremillion
presents a
George Rodrigue
Blue Dog poster
to Dr Hovland
(left)
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In 1977 he
joined the faculty of the
University of Maryland
School of Dentistry where
he served in various
positions including
director of undergraduate
clinics and head of the
Department of Endodontics.
In 1980 he received a
masters in business
administration from Loyola
College in Baltimore.
Throughout his career
Dr. Hovland held many
national leadership
positions. He was
president of the American
Dental Education
Association in 2005. He is
past-president of the
American Association of
Endodontists and received
the Edgar D. Coolidge
Award, the AAE highest
honorary award. He also
served as a delegate to
the ADA House of Delegates
and as commissioner of the
ADA Commission on Dental
Accreditation from 1997 to
2001, chairing the
commission from 2000 to
2001. He was also
president of the Southern
Conference of Deans and
Dental Examiners.
Dr. Hovland has written
numerous publications; he
is co-author of two
editions of the textbook Problem
Solving in Endodontics
and editor of two Dental
Clinics of North America
symposia. He has lectured
extensively to national
and international
associations.
Dr. Hovland is a fellow
of the International
College of Dentists, the
American College of
Dentists, and the Pierre
Fauchard Academy. In 2004
he received the Academy of
General Dentistry Thaddeus
V. Weclew Award for
exceptional contributions
to the art and science of
dentistry. In 2006 he
received the Outstanding
Dental Leader award from
the International College
of Dentists and the Edward
B. Shils Entrepreneurial
Award as an Outstanding
Transformational Leader.
In 2007 he received the
Award of Merit for
Exceptional Leadership
during Hurricane Recovery
from the Louisiana Dental
Association.
As dean of LSUSD during
Hurricane Katrina, which
closed the school
buildings for two years,
Dr. Hovland was
responsible for the
successful development of
a temporary campus in
Baton Rouge, allowing
students to continue their
dental education. In
addition, in partnership
with various agencies, he
established a satellite
dental hygiene program and
clinic in Lafayette, a
clinic in New Orleans for
the treatment of patients
with HIV/AIDS, and the
Tooth Bus for the
treatment of children
throughout New Orleans. He
also strengthened the
continuing education
program, created a master
of science degree in oral
biology (now master of
dentistry), created a
competency-based
curriculum, and
established the first
patient simulation
laboratories for
preclinical instruction.
Among his efforts to
expand the research
functions at the dental
school were the creation
of a research center and a
clinical research
facility. He created four
positions for patient care
coordinators who work
closely with students to
monitor patient care.
Under Dr. Hovland’s
leadership, the school
significantly increased
its fundraising effort and
strengthened relations
with alumni.
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(l-r)
Drs. Kent,
Gremillion, and
McClugage
celebrate with
Dr. Hovland
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Among those
who gathered at Dr.
Hovland’s retirement party
on January 30 were LSUHSC
Chancellor Larry Hollier,
Dr. Joseph Moerschbaecher,
vice chancellor for
academic affairs, Dr. Sam
McClugage, professor and
head of the Department of
Cell Biology and Anatomy,
and Dr. John Kent, retired
head of oral and
maxillofacial surgery at
LSUSD. Dr. Hovland was
accompanied by his wife
Carol and his daughter and
son-in-law Whitney and
Patrick Reed.
As a licensed,
experienced tour guide,
one of Dr. Hovland's
retirement activities will
be leading historic tours
in the French Quarter.
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Dr.
Eric Hovland
with wife Carol,
daughter Whitney
and son-in-law
Patrick Reed
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Dr.
Hovland was
presented with a
Baccarat Crystal
tiger
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