FOCUS | ISSUE 6 | 2010

UMKC Dean Dr. Marsha Pyle Celebrates Year Anniversary

an interview with DR. ROBERT BRUNKER, EDITOR

We are pleased to present an interview with Dean Marsha Pyle, DDS, to celebrate her one-year anniversary at the UMKC School of Dentistry and to help members become better acquainted with her and her goals for the school.

Dr. Brunker: Your vitae has been published in different venues. Of what among your impressive list of degrees and honors are you most proud? Which has been most significant in defining you?

Dean Pyle: I am most proud of my work in curriculum innova- tion at my former institution. By helping to redefine a portion of pre-doctoral education in an innovative way, valuing science in the practice of dentistry, I helped to create and implement a program that took into consideration nearly a century of recommendations, from educational theory experts, from the dental profession and from external stakeholders who care about oral health, to enhance student engagement, learning and critical thinking. It was a risky project, but I always do my homework. The project was very success- ful and, in my humble opinion, was the right thing to do.

Dr. Brunker: What difficulties have you experienced in your sequential rise in leadership positions?

Dean Pyle: Early in my career, I did not have a great deal of mentor- 22

ship as an academic. So a couple of female colleagues and I decided that if we were to be successful, we needed to help each other. From that experience, my resolve was determined to “do what it takes” to achieve tenure, to be the best faculty member and geriatric dentist that I could. I always want to make a positive difference in what I do. Early in my career, I made a decision to always go beyond what was expected. That is just my work ethic.

Dr. Brunker: More women are becoming dentists. What advice do you have for the young woman aspiring to be a dentist?

Dean Pyle: Dentistry is a great career for both men and women. I advise women in academics that they will need to determine what is important in their career and life, and then don’t look back. I believe women in leadership positions, in general, have to work harder to achieve the highest levels of success. Be perceptive, be self-aware, and always do your best. All students of dentistry hear my advice: Know what matters, do what matters and do what is right. The premise of the curriculum innovation project that I spoke about in