Ryan Quock, DDS, named new chair-elect of ADEA Board of Directors

Ryan Quock, DDS, distinguished teaching professor and 2005 alumnus of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Dentistry, is the new chair-elect of the American Dental Education Association Board of Directors for 2019-20. 

Quock, who also serves as vice chair of the School of Dentistry’s Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, is the first faculty member from UTHealth School of Dentistry to hold the office since former Dean John Victor Olson in 1969.  Quock was elected at the 2019 ADEA Annual Session and Exhibition in Chicago and will serve a one-year term as chair-elect, one year as chair, and one year as immediate past chair.  

Quock has been a member of ADEA since beginning his academic career, actively participating in Sections on Operative Dentistry and Biomaterials and Cariology.  As a representative and later administrative board member of the ADEA Council of Faculties, he led the development and launch of ADEA weTeach®, a unique online collection of peer-reviewed resources in teaching, learning and assessment.  A graduate of the ADEA Leadership Institute, he previously served as the organization’s Board Director for Faculties. 

"It's a great honor and privilege to serve dental education in this way," Quock said. "I’m especially proud to represent UTHealth School of Dentistry, my home and alma mater. In addition to being excited to contribute at this level, I'm equally touched by the support I’ve received from Dean [John] Valenza; from my department chair, Dr. Marie Angie Loza; and the numerous friends across dental education who actively campaigned for my candidacy.  I’ll do my best!”

This is the latest in a series of high honors for Quock. In 2018, Quock won a University of Texas System Regents’ Award for Outstanding Teaching, and he was inducted into the University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine, MD Academy of Health Science Education. At UTHealth School of Dentistry, he is a member of the Dean’s Academy of Distinguished Educators. 

John Valenza, DDS, dean of UTHealth School of Dentistry, expressed his delight with Quock’s new role in the national organization.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Dr. Quock," Valenza said. "His campaign slogan of ‘Quock the Rock!’ really says it all. I know he will be a great champion for dental education and a great representative.”