WesternU Appoints Dr. James Koelbl As Founding Dean For College of Dental Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) is pleased to announce the appointment of James J. Koelbl, DDS, MS, MJ, as the Founding Dean for the College of Dental Medicine, which the University anticipates opening in the next few years. The recommendation to add a College of Dentistry emerged from WesternU’s strategic plan as a logical progression of expansion and is supported by the president and accepted by the University’s Board of Trustees. The University has entered the preliminary phase of development and has selected Dr. Koelbl for the position of dean to spearhead the college’s completion of preliminary accreditation protocols with the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). No date has been determined for the official inception of the dental program at WesternU.
Dr. Koelbl comes to WesternU from West Virginia University (WVU) School
of Dentistry, where he has served as dean since 1999. Prior to his
deanship at WVU, Dr. Koelbl held the position of Associate Executive
Director at the American Dental Association in Chicago, Illinois.
“”Dr. Koelbl’s accomplishments, and commitment to integrated health care
and education makes him an ideal choice for our University and the
developing dental program,”” said Dr. Pumerantz, founding president of
WesternU.
“”I am pleased and excited by this opportunity to join the WesternU
family; and the new College of Dental Medicine will build upon the
University’s rich tradition of academic excellence and innovation,”” said
Dr. Koelbl. “”At Western, our focus is on people. We will admit a
diverse group of enthusiastic, talented men and women and help them grow
into competent, caring, technically proficient health care practitioners
who will become active members of their communities and their profession.””
“”The practice of dentistry, as well as that of all the health
professions, continues to evolve. Upon graduation, WesternU alumni will
be prepared to effectively utilize the latest technology and scientific
knowledge in their daily practice,”” he continued. “”They will appreciate
the importance of working together with other members of the health care
team to help their patients achieve optimum health. They will understand
the important links between oral health and general health and they will
fulfill their professional obligation to give back to society, especially
to those most in need.””
“”We are pleased that Jim will serve as the founding dean for the
University’s proposed dental college,”” said Dr. Benjamin L. Cohen,
executive vice president for Academic Affairs and chief operating officer
for Western University of Health Sciences. “”Jim is a natural and easy
leader, an innovative visionary, and a wise administrator, who
understands the unique role that dentistry plays in a comprehensive
graduate health science education, as well as the health of the whole
individual and community. We are looking forward to working with Jim as
he leads this exciting initiative of founding a new dental college at the
University.””
Dr. Koelbl has built a notable career spanning 30 years in academia and
is widely respected as an expert in the field of dentistry. His first
academic appointment was as assistant professor in the department of
prosthodontics at the University of Illinois. His impressive career in
academia also includes serving as chairman of the Department of Operative
Dentistry, assistant dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, and
associate dean for Academic Affairs at Loyola University School of
Dentistry; and associate dean for Clinical Affairs at the University of
Louisville School of Dentistry. Dr. Koelbl also practiced general
dentistry over a twenty year period both full and part-time in rural and
urban settings.
“”Jim Koelbl is an excellent choice to become the Founding Dean of the
College of Dental Medicine at WUHS,”” said Richard W. Valachovic, DMD,
MPH, executive director of the American Dental Education
Association. “”His experiences during a lifetime career in dental
education at public and private universities, along with his successes in
leading the education division at the American Dental Association in the
1990s, provide many of the attributes that WesternU will need in the
establishment of a dental school. Dr. Koelbl has a keen sense for the
value of interdisciplinary health professions education and collaboration
between the professions. I am certain that he will keep these issues at
the top of his priorities as he moves to the Pomona campus.””
Augmenting his notable career accomplishments, Dr. Koelbl holds many
professional memberships. He is a fellow of the American College of
Dentists and the International College of Dentists; a member of Omicron
Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society, and the American Dental
Association. Dr. Koelbl is currently serving a four-year term (2005-
2009) as a member of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. In 2005, he
was also appointed as a founding member of the American Dental Education
Association (ADEA)/American Association of Dental Research (AADR)
National Oral Health Advocacy Committee. Formerly, he served as a member
of the Committee on Specialty Recognition of the American Dental
Association (Committee G) and as a member of the Legislative Advisory
Committee of the American Dental Education Association. Dr. Koelbl also
currently volunteers as a consultant to the Commission on Dental
Accreditation, serving as the chairperson for comprehensive dental school
site visits throughout the country.
Dr. Koelbl received his undergraduate training at John Carroll University
in Ohio. He earned his DDS degree from the University of Illinois
College of Dentistry. He received a Masters of Science in Oral Biology
from Loyola University Graduate School, with a concentration in dental
materials. He also earned a Masters of Jurisprudence in Health Law from
Loyola University School of Law. Dr. Koelbl is married to Dr. Joan
Koelbl, who is also a dentist. They have six children and three
grandchildren.
