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."