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Levi-Richman Integration Initiative

Advisory Committee

Mia Geisinger, DDS, MS, chair

Mia Geisinger, DDS, MS, chair

Chair, Department of Periodontology, and Kent and Phoebe Palcanis Endowed Professor in Periodontology, University of Alabama

Mia L. Geisinger, DDS, MS is a Professor and Director of Advanced Education in Periodontology in the Department of Periodontology in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry. Dr. Geisinger received her BS in Biology from Duke University, her DDS from Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, and her MS and Certificate in Periodontology and Implantology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Geisinger is a Diplomate in the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow in the International Team for Implantology. She has served as the President of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, as the Chair of the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs, and on multiple national and regional organized dentistry committees. She has previously served as president of both the American Academy of Periodontology and the AAP Foundation, as a Board member for the ADA’s Science and Research Institute, and on numerous AAP, AADOCR and ADA committees and task forces. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and serves on the editorial board of several publications. Her research interests include periodontal and systemic disease interaction, implant dentistry in the periodontally compromised dentition, and novel treatment strategies for oral soft and hard tissue regeneration. She lectures nationally and internationally on topics in periodontology and oral healthcare.

Luciana Shaddox, DDS, MS, PhD

Luciana Shaddox, DDS, MS, PhD

Professor and Associate Dean for Research, University of Kentucky
Dr. Luciana Shaddox joined the University of Kentucky Division of Periodontology as a professor with tenure as of July 2018 and became the Associate Dean of Research for the College of Dentistry in July 2019. She obtained her DDS, MS at University of Campinas, Brazil and her PhD in periodontology and oral microbiology at a combined program with University of Campinas and University of Florida in 2005 and a pos-doctoral fellowship in Oral Microbiology at UF in 2006. She worked at UF Periodontology department from 2006-2018. Currently at UK, she directs all research activities at the college of Dentistry, the Kentucky Oral health Innovation Initiative, actively participates in Periodontology and other courses at UK and several local and national/international committees, and has a clinical translational research program supported by NIH since 2009, with a main focus in immunological, microbiological and genetic factors involved with localized aggressive periodontal disease (Grade C Molar incisor pattern) in children and adolescents. She has over 80 publications, has been a member of NIH study sections, she is an editorial board member for the Journal of Clinical of Periodontology, associate editor for the Journal of Periodontology and is the recipient of several research student-mentored awards and personal awards, including the prestigious American Academy of Periodontology Teaching Award and the University of Florida and University of Kentucky Professorship Awards.
Frank A. Roberts DDS, PhD

Frank A. Roberts DDS, PhD

Professor, Associate Dean, Regional and Global Affairs, and RIDE Chair, Periodontics; Adjunct Professor, Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington
Dr. Frank Roberts is the Director of RIDE and as a teacher, clinician, and science researcher, he brings important perspectives to the RIDE team. He is a Professor and Pre-doctoral Program Director in the Periodontics Department at the University of Washington and Chief of Periodontics at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Roberts’ research involves understanding the molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory disease progression, the bacterial pathogenesis of periodontitis, and biology and imaging of dental implants. As a member of the UW School of Medicine curriculum committee, Dr. Roberts represents the UW School of Dentistry on all aspects of overlapping course work.
Rick H. Heard III, DDS, MS

Rick H. Heard III, DDS, MS

Board-certified periodontist, Gulfport, MS
Dr. Rick H. Heard received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery and Certificate and Masters of Science in Periodontics and Implantology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Following his residency, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Southwest Society of Periodontists, Texas Dental Association, Texas Society of Periodontists, Guadalupe Valley Dental Society, and North-Side Rotary Club. He has held numerous positions in some of these societies as a means of service to his professional community. He is the founder of the Gulf Coast Study Club, an Interdisciplinary Dental Study Club comprised of local restorative dentists and specialists. Dr. Heard is honored to be part of The McGuire Institute, a select group of fellow periodontists organized into a practice-based research network.
Dr. Colin Richman

Colin Richman, DMD

Board-certified periodontist, Atlanta, GA
Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Richman attended school in South Africa and England before receiving his periodontal certificate from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Richman is a leading periodontist in Georgia. He has extensive training and experience in periodontology and has presented more than 350 lectures in the U.S. and abroad. He is a former assistant professor at the Emory University School of Dentistry and a former clinical instructor at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Richman serves as a faculty member at the Georgia Health Sciences University.
Michael Levi

Michael Levi

Director of Sales, Europe, Columbia Sportswear Company
Michael Levi is responsible for sales leadership and development at Columbia Sportswear, including both Columbia and Sorel brands across Europe. He leads and supports country teams and central sales management team based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Zulema Valdivia, DDS

Zulema Valdivia, DDS

Periodontist and Owner, Periodontics Health Group
Dr. Zulema Valdivia has been practicing dentistry since 2005. She completed her DDS and specialty training at Loma Linda, CA. Dr. Valdivia is passionate about treating periodontal disease with early intervention and is an advocate for educating patients about the connection between oral health and overall well-being. Dr. Valdivia is the owner of Periodontics Health Group (PHG), which is a DSO providing periodontic specialty dentists with operational support and clinical autonomy. PHG will provide care to patients in more than 40 PDS-supported practices throughout South and Central Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The group is contracted with PDS-supported dental practices to provide patients with multi-specialty care conveniently located in the same practice as their general dentist.