Robert Skinner Named Outstanding Alumnus
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Robert L.
Skinner, DDS, MS, PA |
Robert Lee Skinner, DDS '86, was named 2012
Alumnus of the Year at LSUSD Alumni Day on
September 21, 2012. A resident of Fort Smith,
Arkansas, he came to LSUSD after receiving his
BA in zoology and an MS in cytogenetics from the
University of Arkansas. After graduation, he
returned to Fort Smith to practice dentistry,
raise a family, and serve his community.
During dental school Dr. Skinner had a keen
interest in research, focussing on oral
pathology, cancer, and endodontics. Of the six
table clinics he presented across the country
and in the Netherlands, he received two
first-place and one second-place award.
Ultimately, four National Institute of Health
grants were awarded for his research, resulting
in three abstracts and seven journal articles
Dr. Skinner’s involvement in organized
dentistry is equally impressive. He is a member
of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the American
Dental Association (ADA), the Arkansas State
Dental Association (ASDA), the Northwest Dental
District Society, and the Fort Smith Dental
Association. He is also a fellow of the
International College of Dentists and the
American College of Dentists.
He has served in many leadership roles as
well. He is the current ADA District 12 Delegate
and past-president of ASDA. On a national level,
Dr. Skinner completed his four-year term on the
American Dental Association Council on ADA
Sessions in 2009. He was then elected by the
council to serve as the ADA Annual Session
general chairman for the organization’s 150th
anniversary celebration in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Dr. Skinner has also been the recipient of
numerous awards: the ADA Alan J. Davis/SCADA
Achievement Award, the ASDA Distinguished
Service Award and its New Dentist Award, and the
Procter & Gamble Preventive Dentistry Award.
In 1992, due to his efforts as co-founder of the
Community Dental Clinic in Fort Smith, he
received the Community Service Award presented
by the Office of the Governor and KARK TV and
the 699th Point of Light Award presented by
former President George H.W. Bush. The clinic
provides free dental services to the
underprivileged and the indigent.
To address a
dental hygienist shortage in Arkansas’ northwest
region,he formed a task force in 1996 to
develop a dental hygiene training program at a
local community college. In 2001 Westark
Community College, now known as University of
Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS), graduated its first
class of hygienists. In the program’s third
year, it was rated 16 out of 240 nationwide in
national board scores.
Dr. Skinner currently holds staff
appointments at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center
and Sparks Regional Medical Center and is
serving his second term on the St. Edward Mercy
Advisory Board. He is a member of the UAFS
Athletic Advisory Board and has served on the
UAFS Alumni Board of Directors. In addition, he
is a member and past-president of the United Way
of Fort Smith and a member of the Fort Smith
Noon Exchange Club. Dr. Skinner is also an
active volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America
and serves on its Westark Area Council Executive
Board. Attaining the level of Eagle Scout in his
youth, his passion for the organization has
never waivered.
In addition to scouting, tennis has been a
lifelong passion. He has served as president of
the Western Arkansas Tennis Association and
helped to establish the Community Tennis Center
at Creekmore Park. He was also instrumental in
establishing a tennis program at UAFS.
In light of his many achievements, Dr.
Skinner says “I am most proud of my three
beautiful daughters. As much pleasure as all my
passions and hobbies bring me, nothing compares
to the joy I receive from watching my girls grow
into great young women. His daughters are Lisa
(25), Lesley (22), and Lindsey (20).
Dr. Skinner was nominated for the Alumnus of
the Year Award by 1989 graduate Dr. Dwight D.
Duckworth. He wrote, “Dr. Skinner has remained
committed to providing outstanding dentistry to
his patients while also serving his community
and the field of dentistry as a whole. I cannot
think of a more deserving recipient.”
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