(l-r) Megan Sullivan, Michael Nardi, Dean Hutter, Jayesh Patel, Rohan George, and Practice Leaders Drs. Fred Harrington and Charilaos Asikis
Each year during Orientation Week at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM), Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and his wife Mrs. Kathleen Hutter invite the incoming pre-doctoral students into their home for a welcome reception. The gathering serves as an opportunity for students new to the GSDM family to get acquainted with some of the School’s faculty and staff.
With the recent launch of the Group Practices, this year for the first time ever, students were assigned to their Group Practices on the first day of Orientation. This meant that students were able to meet their Practice Leaders at the welcome receptions.
“It was wonderful being able to meet the new students in my Practice during their first week at the School,” said Dr. Michael Slesnick, Group Practice Leader and Clinical Instructor of General Dentistry. He continued, “This was a fun event that helped us get to know our new students and it gave the students a friendly face they can turn to in the building. We hope to begin cultivating relationships with our students from the beginning of their time here, so hopefully this early introduction will help foster deep roots in our group,”
Over a series of three afternoons, the students arrived at the Hutters’ Newton home in large busses, were promptly greeted by Dean and Mrs. Hutter, and then ushered into the garden for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
Dean Hutter said, “Each year, Kathy and I look forward to the opportunity to welcome the new students into our home.” He continued, “It is wonderful to be able to open our doors to the students and properly welcome them into our Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine community. This is the beginning of two to four years of life together and it’s certainly a delight to begin it in such a pleasant manner.”
This was the fifth year Dean and Mrs. Hutter have hosted the receptions at their home. To accommodate the large class size, students were separated into groups of around 30 students that were paired up and went to the Hutter home in six different shifts over three days. The groups were named after important people, places, and mascots for BU and GSDM.
“I have been associated with dental education for over 25 years and I have never seen a more gracious and genteel welcome into a dental school community,” said David Russell, Associate Clinical Professor of General Dentistry and Director of Group Practice and Team Leadership. “The Dean’s series of three afternoon receptions brought all incoming students together for a wonderful ‘get to know’ session with Deans, Practice Leaders, faculty, and administrators. The Dean’s garden was the perfect place for us all to meet, learn more about the school, and learn about each other.”
Reception guest Caroline Michaels DMD 18 said, “The reception at Dean Hutter’s house was truly one of the best parts of orientation week!” She continued, “Dean Hutter mentioned multiple times throughout the week about how he wished to welcome us to the profession, and his invitation was a true reflection on that. My Group Practice Leader Dr. Slesnick was able to answer many of our questions about clinic, and it was obvious that he truly values mentorship. He told us multiple times to come up to the clinic floors and get a feel for the students’ routines. I am definitely excited to start the clinical rotations!”
Rafaella Sampaio DMD 18 added, “Dean and Mrs. Hutter made us all feel very welcomed.” She continued, “This brought the ‘BU dental is a family’ message home for me! I was able to meet many faculty members and also chat with my peers for the first time in a more relaxed environment. Our time at Dean Hutter’s house was a very positive way to be welcomed into the University!”
Photos are available on Facebook (Goldman & Case, Frankl & Silber, Hutter & Brown, Rhett & Scarlet, Albany, Washington, & Newton, Harrison, Concord, & Tremont) and Flickr (Goldman & Case, Frankl & Silber, Hutter & Brown, Rhett & Scarlet, Albany, Washington, & Newton, Harrison, Concord, & Tremont).