Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) has hired Dr. Fotinos Panagakos as the Founding Dean of its developing School of Dental Medicine (SDM). As he signs on to lead the health sciences university’s latest mission-focused program, Dr. Panagakos aims to establish a school capable of improving oral health outcomes for patients in rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“I am honored to have been selected as the founding dean for the PNWU School of Dental Medicine,” said Dr. Panagakos. “Developing a new dental school provides a tremendous opportunity to create a program that will leverage interprofessional education partnerships with the other PNWU academic programs, place our students into community-based clinics to care for the underserved, and enhance the diversity of the practicing community.”
Having worked in and around dentistry for nearly 30 years, including private dental practice, dental education, dental research and clinical development, and more, Dr. Panagakos brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the non-profit university. A retired Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, he comes to PNWU having most recently served as the Associate Dean for Research and Post-Doctoral Affairs at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. From July 2020 until May 2021, he served as the Interim Dean of the school.
“I have seen firsthand the impact poor oral and overall health has on the residents of West Virginia,” Dr. Panagakos explained. “We need to train primary care dentists that can provide exceptional oral healthcare and screen for chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, to effectively collaborate with the other healthcare providers in the community and serve as a health resource for their patients.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Panagakos to PNWU as the Founding Dean of the developing School of Dental Medicine,” said Dr. Michael Lawler, president of PNWU. “He will lead the development of a nationally unique, community-based School of Dental Medicine that will prepare primary care dentists to collaborate with interprofessional healthcare teams in service to rural and medically underserved communities of the Pacific Northwest. With his impressive experience as a clinician, scholar, and leader, as well as his extensive record of public service, including serving as an officer in the US Army Reserves, Dr. Panagakos is ready to lead this new and exciting chapter of PNWU.”
Dr. Panagakos is the co-author of over 88 peer-reviewed scientific research articles and is the co-editor of three dental science textbooks. His areas of interest include the role of inflammation in oral and overall health, the impact of nutrition on oral health and wellness, and the effects of enhanced oral health benefits through Medicaid and Medicare on wellness and socioeconomic measures among rural and underserved adults.
“As we continue building out a portfolio of graduate healthcare programs to address the healthcare needs of underserved and rural communities in Washington and the Northwest, we are thrilled to have Dr. Panagakos join our team of accomplished staff and faculty,” said Dr. Edward Bilsky, PNWU’s provost and chief academic officer. “His broad experiences in academic dentistry, research and industry will build on the innovative education framework and approach that has been in the planning stages for several years, and his senior leadership experience and work with the dental professional societies will guide us through the accreditation process and toward a successful program launch.”
Dr. Panagakos is married to Judith L. Panagakos and has three children, Andreas, 28, Alexandra, 26 and Mikos, 21. In addition to his community involvement, Dr. Panagakos is an avid runner, having completed 60 marathons since 2012. He enjoys running races at all distances and is currently in the process of completing a marathon in every US state.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Lawler, Provost Bilsky, the members of the search committee, and all those whom I have met during the interview process for this opportunity,” added Dr. Panagakos. “I am excited to join the PNWU team and develop the new dental school whose mission is to train primary care dentists to provide needed care to the underserved communities of the Pacific Northwest.”
For more information on this topic, or to schedule interviews with PNWU representatives, please contact Paul Bubluski, assistant director of content (pbubluski@pnwu.edu).