University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry faculty member,
Jeffrey B. Payne, D.D.S., of Lincoln, today was named the first recipient
of the F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon Chair in Dentistry. The prestigious chair
appointment was announced at the UNMC College of Dentistrys 15th Annual
Professionals Day in Lincoln.
The Dixons, long-time contributors to the college, established a $500,000
fund with the University of Nebraska Foundation to create the colleges
first endowed chair. The chair is a five year renewable appointment.
Earnings from the endowment will be used to provide a stipend for educational
and research activities of the recipient. Criteria for selection are based
on teaching and research ability, accomplishments and academic promise.
Dr. F. Gene Dixon is a Superior, Neb., native, and his wife, Rosemary,
is from Vancouver, British Columbia. After graduation in 1947 from the
University of Nebraska School of Dentistry, Dr. Dixon served in the U.S.
Navy for five years then opened a dental practice in San Mateo, Calif.
In 1955, Dr. Dixon and his associates established the California Dental
Service, now Delta Dental Plan of California. Dr. Dixon, who is retired
as CEO and now serves as president emeritus of Delta Dental Plan of California,
is considered a pioneer in developing prepaid dental insurance plans in
the U.S. and Canada, an achievement which has had a significant positive
impact on the nations oral health care environment.
Dr. Dixon said he and his wife are happy to be part of funding activities
that will go toward making the college stronger, especially in the colleges
growing area of research. Dr. Payne is actively engaged in research and
oversees the colleges research program in the new Cruzan Center for Dental
Research.
I think the center is the most exciting thing thats happened to dentistry
in Nebraska, Dr. Dixon said. Research is essential to providing new developments
in dentistry. Its an absolute must. Dr. Payne is an outstanding teacher
as well as one of the foremost researchers at the college. Were very happy
about this.
We are deeply grateful to the Dixons, said John Reinhardt, D.D.S.,
dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry. Their latest gift comes at a crucial
time when Nebraska must compete with 55 dental schools nationally to attract
and retain the most capable teachers and productive researchers. The Dixons
extraordinary support will help further strengthen dental education at
Nebraska.
Dr. Payne is an outstanding teacher and a productive researcher. He
is very worthy of the honor of being named the first recipient of the Dixons
endowed chair.
Dr. Payne said he is honored and humbled by the appointment. Its
a tremendous honor for me to receive this prestigious award from the Dixons,
Dr. Payne said. They are loyal alumni to the college and their contributions
have enabled us to significantly improve our research program.
He said the love of teaching and research motivates him. I enjoy what
Im doing and I have always been driven to do my best. I am extremely pleased
to receive this high honor.
Dr. Payne is an associate professor in the UNMC College of Dentistry
Department of Surgical Specialties and assistant dean for research. From
1991 to 1996, he was assistant professor in the Department of Surgical
Specialties and in 1996, he was named associate professor in the department.
In 1998, he was named assistant dean for research and postgraduate and
graduate dental education.
He earned a bachelors degree in biology in 1982 from Adelphi University
in Garden City, N.Y., and in 1986 earned his doctor of dental surgery degree
from the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine.
In 1989, he earned a masters degree in immunology and a periodontology
specialty certificate from the University of Connecticut School of Dental
Medicine in Farmington, Conn., where he taught until he joined the UNMC
College of Dentistry faculty in 1991. He is a board-certified periodontist.
A periodontist specializes in the study and treatment of the supporting
structure of the teeth.
Dr. Payne has received awards for teaching and last year received the
prestigious Clinical Research Award from the American Academy of Periodontology.
His current research program focuses on the relationship between oral bone
loss and systemic bone loss in post-menopausal women, as well as how a
novel drug may reduce bone loss in this population. His research has received
funding from the federal government, private foundations and industry.
Dr. Payne also treats patients as part of the faculty practice in the College
of Dentistry.
The Dixons have made significant contributions to the college over the
last 20 years, including a fund for clinic renovations. They also have
made gifts to the Cruzan Center for Dental Research, which opened in 1999.
An auditorium in the center was named in their honor.
The center includes a 7,000-square-foot clinical addition and a newly-renovated
basic science facility. It was established to respond to the research needs
of industry, government, the dental community and the public.