Wallen made a profound difference at the college

Jillian Wallen, BDS, MS, assistant dean for extramural activities and outreach and chair of the department of growth and development, will be leaving the College of Dentistry on July 7 to become the dean of the Creighton University School of Dentistry.
 
Throughout her 10 years at the college, Dr. Wallen has had a pivotal role in educating tomorrow’s oral health care providers, improving patients’ quality of life, and caring for underserved community members.
 
"I have many happy memories of my time at the college. I have had the privilege of participating in many of the college’s outreach events. I have especially fond memories of Panhandle Dental Day – traveling as a team to western Nebraska and providing valuable services to underserved kids in their communities," Dr. Wallen said.  "I also have enjoyed interacting with our alumni, community partners and preceptors and recognize the great value they bring to our students’ educational experiences." 
 
In 2011, shortly after Dr. Wallen started at UNMC, the pediatric dentistry residency program relocated from the original Munroe Meyer Institute (MMI) building to Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Wallen is excited that, starting this summer, the college will again be collaborating with MMI to provide dental care to individuals of all ages and abilities at the new Caring for Champions Dental Clinic. 
 
"We care for many special patients across the pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and general practice residency programs. We help patients who are in pain and need emergency care, and those who are facing challenging medical conditions," she said. "Our team has a passion for providing excellent patient care, and each member of our team holds a special place in my heart."
 
Dr. Wallen has been an extraordinary leader and has contributed greatly to the future of the college. For example, during the pandemic, she pivoted the extramural activities, helped develop a dental-specific pandemic course, and lead her team in providing critical emergency services for children in the area. Most recently, she reassessed the extramural programs and developed ways to optimize students’ extramural clinical experiences.
 
"I am fiercely proud of our programs and our faculty, residents and staff members. They make a difference every day and do so with great personal sacrifice at times," she said. "The pandemic was a wonderful example of how our team stepped up and showed bravery and resiliency. This camaraderie and cohesiveness make moving on difficult, but I am comforted that I will be just down the road."
 
Dr. Wallen says her time at the College of Dentistry has prepared her well for her role as the first female dean of the Creighton University School of Dentistry.
 
"Some of the greatest lessons I have learned at UNMC are how to be an engaged and passionate leader and that self-awareness and empathy are skills that are vital in our leadership roles," she said. "I have been fortunate to serve under two fantastic deans and I aspire to take many of their attributes to my new role. Dean Guthmiller has taught me so much about how to balance my professional and personal life."
 
The entire College of Dentistry family wishes Dr. Wallen the very best in her new leadership role.
 
"I want to express our gratitude and thank Dr. Wallen for all she has done for the college, our students, residents and patients. We will all miss Dr. Wallen’s passion for helping the underserved, providing compassionate care, and helping our students succeed," Dean Janet Guthmiller said.
 
Dr. Wallen said, "I’m grateful to everyone at the college for their kindness, words of encouragement in the past months, and for their friendship these past ten years."

8 comments

  1. Julie Heyl says:

    Congratulations Dr. Wallen and best wishes on your new adventure! We will miss you!
    Julie Heyl

  2. Zach Houser says:

    What a nice tribute, Dr. Wallen. You are a great colleague and friend! We all are so thankful to have had you in our lives and I'm glad you will not be far away. I wish you well in your future role as Dean of Creighton School of Dentistry! – Zach Houser

  3. Erin Wirth says:

    We are all so proud of you and wish you the best! You have been an incredible leader, colleague and friend. You have made a difference in the lives of countless patients, students and colleagues, and will be greatly missed!

  4. Michelle Sullivan says:

    Congratulations Dr. Wallen! I have enjoyed working with you and will miss your enthusiasm and dedication. Best wishes for the future.

  5. Joyce Hurst says:

    Dr. Wallen, I have enjoyed working with you and will greatly miss you. I look forward to the win-win alliance that UNMC COD will have with Creighton Dental School.

  6. Teresa Breazile says:

    Dr. Wallen, it has been a pleasure working with you. I want to sincerely thank you for your help and kindness when I've needed it with curriculum items. I wish you the best of luck and continued success!! – Teresa Breazile

  7. Corinne Van Osdel says:

    Congratulations, Dr. Wallen. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with you, as a student, resident, and now as faculty. Thank you for being an inspiration to myself and many others.

  8. Brad Krivohlavek says:

    Congratulations Dr. Wallen!! Thank you very much for all you have done for UNMC/COD and all of the lives you have touched. You are an inspiration to all of us. The future of dentistry is bright with your leadership. Best wishes!!!

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