Tom Viola
Tom Viola
With over 30 years’ experience as a board-certified pharmacist, clinical educator, professional speaker and published author, Tom Viola, R.Ph., C.C.P. has earned his national and international reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for all members of the dental team.
Tom has presented over 1000 informative, humorous and engaging continuing education seminars and webinars to dental professionals internationally since 2001.
Sara Gordon
Sara Gordon
Dr. Sara Gordon is Professor Emerita in the Department of Oral Medicine and former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Washington, School of Dentistry. For over 40 years, Dr. Gordon has been a clinician, educator and researcher in oral pathology, oral medicine, oral diagnosis, and treatment planning. She has worked to widen the scope of dental education, so dentists can provide better overall healthcare for patients and reduce health disparities.
Dr. Gordon received a D.D.S. from Dalhousie University (1985) and M.S. in pathology (1996) from the University of Western Ontario, where she also completed a four-year residency in oral and maxillofacial pathology (1997). She is a diplomate in the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and a fellow in oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial pathology in the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. She is also a fellow in dental surgery in the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
After practicing as a general dentist in her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dr. Gordon taught at Dalhousie Faculty of Dentistry (1986-1993), followed by positions teaching general, systemic and oral pathology at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) (1997-2006) and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (2006-2014). Dr. Gordon moved to the University of Washington in 2014 to lead transformation of the curriculum. Student scores on their national board exams rose to among the highest in the nation, while UW dental school’s world ranking climbed to 4th place. Dr. Gordon led curricular innovations during the COVID pandemic, setting a benchmark for other North American dental schools.
Dr. Gordon is a national board examiner in oral medicine and oral pathology for the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a member of the Dental Education Specialty Advisory Board of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland. She is also a commissioner of the US Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and a specialty site visitor in oral and maxillofacial pathology for the US Commission on Dental Accreditation.
In 2024, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) awarded Dr. Gordon the Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Citation for her “exceptional service to ADEA and the dental education community.” Her many distinctions include awards and scholarships recognizing her teaching, research, leadership, and writing. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 scientific publications and presented at hundreds of professional events and continuing education courses on almost every continent.
Pierre-Luc Michaud
Pierre-Luc Michaud
Dr. Sara Gordon is Professor Emerita in the Department of Oral Medicine and former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Washington, School of Dentistry. For over 40 years, Dr. Gordon has been a clinician, educator and researcher in oral pathology, oral medicine, oral diagnosis, and treatment planning. She has worked to widen the scope of dental education, so dentists can provide better overall healthcare for patients and reduce health disparities.
Dr. Gordon received a D.D.S. from Dalhousie University (1985) and M.S. in pathology (1996) from the University of Western Ontario, where she also completed a four-year residency in oral and maxillofacial pathology (1997). She is a diplomate in the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and a fellow in oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial pathology in the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. She is also a fellow in dental surgery in the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
After practicing as a general dentist in her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dr. Gordon taught at Dalhousie Faculty of Dentistry (1986-1993), followed by positions teaching general, systemic and oral pathology at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) (1997-2006) and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (2006-2014). Dr. Gordon moved to the University of Washington in 2014 to lead transformation of the curriculum. Student scores on their national board exams rose to among the highest in the nation, while UW dental school’s world ranking climbed to 4th place. Dr. Gordon led curricular innovations during the COVID pandemic, setting a benchmark for other North American dental schools.
Dr. Gordon is a national board examiner in oral medicine and oral pathology for the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a member of the Dental Education Specialty Advisory Board of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland. She is also a commissioner of the US Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and a specialty site visitor in oral and maxillofacial pathology for the US Commission on Dental Accreditation.
In 2024, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) awarded Dr. Gordon the Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Citation for her “exceptional service to ADEA and the dental education community.” Her many distinctions include awards and scholarships recognizing her teaching, research, leadership, and writing. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 scientific publications and presented at hundreds of professional events and continuing education courses on almost every continent.