The School of Dental Medicine recently announced the appointment of Dr. Sophia G. Saeed to be associate dean for clinical affairs. Saeed, who is currently professor and associate dean for patient care at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, will begin her appointment at UConn early July.
“I’m excited to be joining the brilliant leadership team at UConn Health School of Dental Medicine and learning about the priorities, goals, and needs of the students, residents, staff, and faculty within the clinical arena,” Saeed said.
The associate dean for clinical affairs is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the patient care and clinical missions in the School of Dental Medicine.
“We are exceptionally fortunate to have been able to recruit someone of Dr. Saeed’s caliber and I am confident that she will be an outstanding addition to our faculty and the School’s leadership team,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine.
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Saeed received her DMD degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and then completed a general dentistry residency program at the University of California – San Francisco (UCSF). After completing her residency program, she joined the faculty at UCSF and served in multiple capacities at UCSF, including as the director of the general practice residency program (GPR) while being exceptionally active in predoctoral education. In 2018, she joined the faculty of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine and served as professor and chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences. She was appointed to her current position at the University of Texas in 2020 and led the school’s patient care activities through the recent pandemic
A recipient of numerous teaching awards, Saeed has been very active in the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and serves as a consultant for the Commission on Dental Accreditation. She has completed an education fellowship with UCSF’s teaching scholars program, the ADEA leadership institute, and is currently pursuing a MBA in healthcare management.
In her free time, Saeed enjoys activities such as road cycling and yoga.
Saeed succeeds Dr. Jackie Duncan, who has served as interim associate dean for clinical affairs since January 2020.
