Dennis A. Mitchell, DDS, MPH

  • Professor of Dental Medicine (Community Health and Periodontics) at CUMC
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Overview

Dennis A. Mitchell, D.D.S., M.P.H, serves as the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement at Columbia University, Senior Associate Dean for Diversity for the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM) and Professor of Dental Medicine at the Columbia University Medical Center. As Vice Provost, he implements the program elements of the University’s ongoing financial commitment (currently totaling $185 million) to enhance the diversity of the faculty, and works with the leaders of each of Columbia’s schools to evaluate and strengthen their diversity initiatives.

Dr. Mitchell has been on the Columbia faculty since 1991 and has shown a deep commitment to the oral health needs of underserved populations in the communities surrounding Columbia. He is a Co-Principal Investigator for Columbia’s Summer Health Professions Education Program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and for the Summer Public Health Scholars Program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Together, these two pipeline programs bring over 125 young scholars from underrepresented groups to the Columbia campus each summer.

Dr. Mitchell previously served as the Director of the Harlem component of the Community DentCare Network for Columbia, and as Director of Research and Community Dentistry at Harlem Hospital. He oversaw the development, implementation and evaluation of Columbia’s offsite dental service programs in Harlem, which is now responsible for over 20,000 patient visits annually.

Academic Appointments

  • Professor of Dental Medicine (Community Health and Periodontics) at CUMC

Administrative Titles

  • Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, College of Dental Medicine
  • Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, Columbia University

Gender

  • Male

Credentials & Experience

Committees, Societies, Councils

University and Departmental Committees:

a) Columbia University

Provost’s Cabinet - Member, 2014 - present

Provost’s Advisory Council for the Advancement of Faculty Diversity - Chair, 2014 - present, - Member, 2012 - 2014

Provost’s Review Committee for Faculty Recruitment for Underrepresented Groups - Chair, 2014 - present, - Member, 2012 - 2014

Provost’s Review Committee for Research Grants for Junior Faculty Who Contribute to the Diversity of the University - Chair, 2014 - present

Provost’s Diversity Council for the Professional Schools - Member, 2008 - 2010, - Co-Chair, 2006 - 2008

b) Columbia University Medical Center

CUMC Diversity Deans Council, 2013 - present

Search Committee for Chair, Department of Otolaryngology, 2012 - 2013

Search Committee for Dean, College of Dental Medicine, 2012 - 2013

Dean’s Special Advisor for Community Health Affairs, 2011 - 2014

Curriculum Development Committee for Cultural Competency, 2002 - 2006

Northern Manhattan Community Voices Collaborative - Steering Committee, 1999 - 2006

Northern Manhattan Community Voices Collaborative - Evaluation Committee, 1999 - 2001

c) College of Dental Medicine

NDA HEALTH NOW-NY (Director), 2014 - present

Governance Committee, 2006 - 2014

Executive Committee, 2004 - present

Admissions Committee, 2004 - present

Standing Committee for Diversity Affairs (Chairperson), 2006 - present

Standing Committee for Professional Development, 2008 - 2012

Strategic Planning Committee for Pre-doctoral Education, 2011 - 2012

Search Committee for Chair, Section of Growth & Devel. and Director, Div. of Orthodontics, 2010-2011

Strategic Planning Adhoc Committee for Tuition and Trainee Programs (Chairperson), 2009 - 2010

Strategic Planning Adhoc Committee for Faculty Compensation, 2009 - 2010

Sub Committee on Recruitment of Underrepresented in Dentistry Students (Chairperson), 2001 - 2006

Community DentCare Network, Director - Harlem Component (Chairperson), 1996 - 2002

Community DentCare Network, Evaluation Committee (Chairperson), 1996 - 2002

Honors & Awards

  • The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation -SMDEP Leadership Award, 2014
  • American Academy of Periodontolgy - Clinical Research Award, 2007
  • National Association of Minority Medical Educators NE - Leadership Award, 2007
  • The NDA Foundation/Colgate Palmolive - Dental Faculty Award for Research, 2005
  • West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. - Leadership Award, 2004
  • AETNA Foundation, Inc. - Distinuguished African Americans in Dentistry, 2004
  • National Dental Association - Community Leadership Award, 2002
  • Howard University College of Dentistry Distinguished Alumni Award, 2002
  • Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Epsilon Epsilon Chapter - elected, 2001
  • NIH/NIDCR - Minority Clinical Associate Physicians Award, 1998
  • National Dental Association - Outstanding Achievement Award, 1997
  • Who's Who in Dentistry, 1996, 1995
  • NIH/NIAID - National Research Service Award, 1994
  • Harlem Community Dental Society - Community Service Award, 1991
  • Harlem Hospital Center - Chief Resident Award, 1991

Research

The relationship between periodontal disease and preterm low birthweight. The oral health status of the Northern Manhattan community.

Grants

TITLE FUNDER DATES
A public health workplace experience to increase minority student interest in public health Federal Gov Grants/Contracts 09/15/2011 - 09/14/2016
Faculty development in general, pediatric & public health dentistry & dental hygiene Federal Gov Grants/Contracts 07/01/2012 - 06/30/2018