Dear Members of the UCSF Community:

As announced in February, at the end of the month, John Featherstone, MSc, PhD, will be stepping down from his roles as dean of the School of Dentistry and faculty member. I know that you join me in thanking him for his remarkable leadership and in wishing him well in his future plans.

I am pleased to inform you that Mark Kirkland, DDS, Health Sciences Clinical Professor, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, and associate dean for Clinical Affairs in the School of Dentistry, has agreed to serve as interim dean while the search for John’s successor continues. Mark will begin this post on January 1, 2018.

A UCSF alum, Mark earned his DDS here in 1983 and has been an active faculty member for 31 years. As associate dean for Clinical Affairs, he oversees all operations related to the School’s robust clinical enterprise, which includes general, restorative, pediatric, and implant dentistry as well as periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, craniofacial anomalies, oral & maxillofacial surgery, orofacial pain/TMD, and oral medicine.

As interim dean, Mark also will be a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. I am grateful to him for accepting this important role during a time of transition. His exceptional leadership and expertise will sustain the important work of the faculty, staff, students, and trainees of the School of Dentistry.

Sincerely,

Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor