Distinguished Service Award
David G. Brown, B.Sc, M.L.S., PhD
David Brown, PhD received his doctorate degree in biochemistry from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1970, completed a a postdoctoral fellowship in biochemistry and pharmacology at Johns Hopkins University in 1972, and then spent nine years in teaching and leadership roles at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.
In 1981, Dr. Brown became chairman of the UNMC College of Dentistry Department of Oral Biology, a position he held until 1987. He served as the director of research from 1982-1984 and as the assistant dean for research and administration from 1984-1989. Dr. Brown became the associate dean for academic affairs in 1989 and supervised the academic and student affairs office staff, college front desk staff and information systems.
In 2000, he became executive associate dean and earned his master's degree in legal studies from the UNL College of Law. For the past 20 years, he served the college as a professor of oral biology focusing on community outreach.
Dr. Brown retired on Dec. 31, 2020, after 39 years at the College of Dentistry, most recently serving as a professor of oral biology focusing on community outreach.
Dr. Brown was instrumental in helping thousands of Nebraskans receive oral health care through the college's outreach events, including Children's Dental Day and SHARING Clinics, and through building college partnerships with organizations like Clinic with a Heart.
Additionally, due to his efforts, the college participated in hundreds of community events where thousands of Nebraskans received oral health education and screenings. Dr. Brown taught generations of students the importance of helping the under-served. Through his passion for helping others and his leadership, he touched the lives of countless community members, students, faculty and staff.
In his long and distinguished career as an educator, Dr. Brown helped thousands of students become extraordinary oral health professionals. He was the course director for dental research, ethics, public health and oral medicine. He also taught biochemistry and pharmacology to dental hygiene, dental, nursing and postgrad students.
His influence on the college, UNMC and the state of Nebraska is far-reaching. Throughout his career, Dr. Brown served on more than 85 UNMC, UNMC College of Dentistry, University of Nebraska and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services committees; published 24 scholarly journal articles; received 40 grants; and worked with countless national, statewide and local nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Brown received many awards for his community outreach work, including the Dental Public Health Award from Nebraska Health and Human Services, the American Dental Association's Presidential Award for increasing access to dental care for special populations, Clinic with a Heart's Community Partner Award, and the Nebraska Rural Health Association's President's Award.
Distinguished Service Award
Janet M. Guthmiller, DDS, PhD
Janet Guthmiller, DDS, PhD, became the dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry on Sept. 1, 2014. Dr. Guthmiller is a nationally recognized leader in dental education and an accomplished researcher, author and teacher. She currently serves as the president of the Supreme Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a national organization that promotes academic excellence and professionalism among dental students and educators. She also serves as secretary of the administrative board of the American Dental Education Association Council of Deans.
Dr. Guthmiller is committed to the UNMC College of Dentistry’s tripartite mission of education, research and service. She has led numerous initiatives to advance the mission of the college, including a $4.8 million renovation to create a state-of-the-art learning environment that includes a clinical and virtual simulation laboratory where students use the most advanced 3D, virtual reality and haptics technology to build their clinical skills, and a digital design studio where students build cutting-edge digital dentistry skills. Other accomplishments under Dr. Guthmiller’s leadership include the development of two educational programs – the advanced education in general dentistry residency program and the advanced standing dental program for internationally educated dentists; increased outreach to rural Nebraska, including a $4 million, 10-year contract from the State of Nebraska to increase oral health services and the number of dental graduates practicing in rural Nebraska; a $2.6 million renovation to the college’s clinic in the Durham Outpatient Center; a 32.2 percent increase in research funding; and the development of a highly effective clinical model that has transformed students’ patient care experiences.
She has received multiple awards for achievement in leadership and education, including a Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement from Northwestern College in 2015, a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Cellular and Structural Biology Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2016, and a Honorary Life Membership Award in 2016 and Distinguished Service Award in 2021 from the UNMC College of Dentistry Alumni Association.
Before coming to UNMC, Dr. Guthmiller held the positions of associate dean of academic affairs and professor in the department of periodontology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, and was a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. As an educator, she has a passion for mentorship programs. She was named the Faculty Mentor of the Year in 2007 by the National Student Research Group of the American Association for Dental Research and received the organization’s Faculty Advisor Appreciation Award in 2012. At the University of Iowa, she was the 2006 recipient of the prestigious University of Iowa Collegiate Teaching Award and was named Faculty Mentor of the Year in 2007.
Dr. Guthmiller has special interests in genetic studies of periodontal bacteria and the expression and activity of innate antimicrobial peptides. She is the author of two books, seven book chapters, 45 journal articles and online educational modules, and 66 journal abstracts, and the recipient of multiple grants from organizations including the National Institutes of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.
Dr. Guthmiller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. She earned her DDS from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and her Periodontal Certificate and PhD in Cellular and Structural Biology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as a part of the NIH-sponsored Dentist-Scientist Program.
Alumni Achievement Award
Clinic with a Heart: Dr. Asbjörnson & Dr. Genrich
Jon C. Asbjörnson, DDS '87
Upon graduation from dental school in 1987, Dr. Asbjornsen joined his father’s (Dr. Don Asbjornson, DDS ‘62) private practice, who became his most influential mentor in dentistry. Not only does he feel blessed to have four daughters (Amy, Molly, Katie and Madeline) he has the good fortune to work with two of them in his current dental office (Molly Asbjornson Regelean RDH ‘12 and Katie Asbjornson, DDS ‘15).
In reflecting on his career, Dr. Asbjornsen states that he has been lucky to have worked with so many like-minded and kindhearted professionals and volunteers locally at the Peoples City Mission, Clinic With A Heart and internationally with Southwood Lutheran Church in Honduras, Central America, the College of Dentistry in Columbia, South America and in South Vietnam with the East Meets West organization. Dr. Adbjornsen’s career is a shining example of how dentists can use their skill and compassion to help those in need and the underserved.
Chuck Genrich, DDS '83
Dr. Charles Genrich DDS is a graduate of UNMC College of Dentistry in 1983. Since that time, he has been providing expert and compassionate dental care for over 30 years. His passion for dentistry has led him to become a member of the American Dental Association, Nebraska Dental Association, Lincoln District Dental Association and the Capital Study Club.
He is an Educator for the Adult Restorative Department at the UNMC College of Dentistry and a Fellow in the American College of Dentists. Dr. Genrich’s career is marked by many volunteer experiences with dental organizations within the Lincoln community. In particular, Dr. Genrich volunteers regularly at the Clinic With A Heart, and is a key part in the ongoing success of the organization to treat the dental needs of the under-served.
Most important, Dr. Genrich is a family man. He has been married to his wife, Mary Ann, for more the 45 years. They have 6 wonderful children and 2 beautiful grandchildren. In his spare time, Dr. Genrich enjoys being with his family, working in his yard, fishing and traveling
Alumni Achievement Award
Byron Tullis, DDS '58
April 8, 1933 - October 5, 2020 (awarded posthumously)
Dr. Byron Tullis was a polio survivor who went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry and serve his country in the United States Air Force. Dr. Tullis grew a private practice in Lincoln, Neb. and raised two generations of his family.
Throughout his life he was dedicated to helping others. He helped set up the People’s City Mission Dental Clinic and after leaving private practice continued helping those in need.
He practiced for more than 60 years, serving generations of patients with great care and with a friendly chairside manner. Well into his 80s, even after he had retired, Dr. Tullis came to the People’s City Mission twice a week to volunteer. This embodied his dedication to service, which he exhibited his whole life.
In the early summer of 2020 as the first of wave of the pandemic was surging, a planning team at the University of Nebraska Lincoln estimated that more than 100 gallons of hand sanitizer would be needed per day when the campus fully reopened for the fall 2020 semester. In addition, a team identified 1,000 locations that would benefit from having a dispensing station, including several in student housing, Campus Recreation, Nebraska Unions, athletics, 83 Nebraska Extension offices and one wall dispenser in every elevator on campus.
Under the leadership of Jim Jackson, associate vice chancellor of University Operations, a team was put together to solve the problem of efficiently distributing hand sanitizer across campus. They invented a large-capacity, free-standing hand sanitizer dispenser station that was in large part produced at Nebraska Innovation Campus.
The team of David Martin, Jerry Reif, Max Wheeler, Terry Howell Jr., and Hunter Floodman sprung into action. Through their efforts, persistence and innovation, the need for hand sanitizer was not only met but exceeded. As part of their work, hand sanitizer was made available to the College of Dentistry for use when supply was short and in high demand.
Honorary Life Membership
Joan E. Sivers, DDS
Dr. Sivers received her DDS in 1981 and her certificate in fixed prosthodontics in 1983, both from the University of Iowa. She started at the UNMC College of Dentistry in 1983 as an assistant professor of fixed prosthodontics in the department of adult restorative dentistry and became an associate professor in 1989. She became the assistant dean of clinics in 1998, served as a graduate faculty member and served as the interim chair of two different departments. Starting in 1995, she served as the Carlson Professor of Dentistry, an endowed position in the department of adult restorative dentistry.
Dr. Sivers retired on December 31, 2020 after more than 37 years at the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Dr. Sivers was instrumental in helping thousands of students develop clinical knowledge and skills as an administrator, a teacher and course director, and she served as a mentor to countless students. She contributed significantly to the tripartite missions of the college: teaching, research and service. Dr. Sivers served on more than 65 college and UNMC committees, including the gender equity committee and the faculty senate. In her leadership roles and committee assignments, she always kept her focus on the best clinical outcomes for the patient.
For example, she helped implement a new group practice model for the college's clinical education programs in 2016 and recently led the college's COVID-19 clinical re-entry task force that guided the college in safely reopening the clinics. She also was involved in the college's outreach events, including Children's Dental Day and SHARING Clinics. Colleagues called her passion for oral health education and patient care inspirational.
Dr. Sivers' clinical acumen and knowledge of licensing processes and procedures also greatly benefited the college. She served on the American Association of Dental Boards and as site coordinator for the college's regional boards, was president and on the executive committee of the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) testing agency and had a long tenure as a CRDTS examiner.
Nationally and locally, Dr. Sivers established a legacy of service and leadership. She served as president of multiple organizations: the American Association for Women Dentists, American College of Dentists - Lincoln Section, American College of Prosthodontists - Nebraska Section, International College of Dentists - Nebraska Section, Lincoln District Dental Association, Omicron Kappa Upsilon - Alpha Alpha Chapter, and the Prosthodontic Study Club. She served as chair of the State of Nebraska Board of Dentistry while serving for 15 years on this board. The wealth of knowledge that Dr. Sivers brought to the college through her affiliations and leadership roles in these organizations is truly unprecedented.
Throughout her remarkable career, Dr. Sivers received multiple awards, including the American Association of Women Dentists Certificate of Appreciation, the UNMC Service with Distinction Award, and she has been featured 17 times in the Consumers' Research Council of America's "Guide to America's Top Dentists."
Outstanding Educator
Darlene F. Carritt, RDH '78
Darlene Carritt, RDH graduated from the UNMC Dental Hygiene program in 1978 and has been an instructor in the department of Dental Hygiene for over 35 years. She has been instrumental in the implementation of many new technologies not only for the dental hygiene department, but also for the College of Dentistry. In addition to her role as course director for three courses per academic year, she also provides many guest lectures for classes and programs as requested. Presenting is natural for Ms. Carritt and she truly enjoys the opportunity to educate others about the evolving knowledge of oral health.
In recent years she has received grant monies to educate health care professionals in the state of Nebraska on nursing home/assisted living oral health care. She also created an oral health educational DVD for primary care givers of IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) teenagers and adults. She advocates for access to care for the citizens of Nebraska and participates in many outreach events throughout the year. A few include: Nebraska Mission of Mercy, Special Olympics, UNMC Dental Day, UNMC Dental Day-Panhandle and UNMC Sharing Clinics. She supervises students in nursing homes and teaches them how to provide dental hygiene treatment, including the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride in this environment. She has also mentored both dental and dental hygiene students on research projects.
A few of her additional service activities include the following:
Served on the Nebraska Board of Dentistry for 10 years and held the Secretary position for a portion of that time.
Held many positions, including president, within the Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association
For over 30 years continues to serve Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) as a dental hygiene examiner, coordinator, Steering and Executive Committee member, as well as Vice-President for four years.
Many of the UNMC Dental Hygiene alums would tell you she was the most influential instructor they had while they were at the College of Dentistry.
In her free time, Ms. Carritt enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano and organ for church and other occasions, gardening, golfing and supporting Special Olympics. Her family includes her husband Steve, sons Craig and Cameron (new wife Sarah).
Outstanding Educator
Robin L. Hattervig, DDS '84
Dr. Robin Hattervig is an assistant professor in the UNMC College of Dentistry’s Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry and is a member of the University Dental Associates Practice. He earned his doctor of dental surgery at UNMC in 1984. He joined the faculty in 2016, after practicing general dentistry for 32 years in rural South Dakota while serving as an adjunct professor for the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, teaching dental students on rotations in his dental practice.
Since returning to Lincoln in 2016, Dr. Hattervig has been one of the most beloved faculty members in the College. His teaching assignments include serving as a clinical color group leader, cariology for D2s, and Integrated Biomaterials, Cariology and Operative for D1s.
Notably, Dr. Hattervig stands out for earning four consecutive teaching awards:
- 2017 Faculty Recognition Teaching Award from the Class of 2018
- 2018 Faculty Recognition Teaching Award from the Class of 2020
- 2019 Faculty Recognition Teaching Award from the Class of 2019
- 2020 Kenneth Battenhorst Teaching Award from the Class of 2020
In addition, he is involved with numerous community service activities that also include teaching, such as a faculty volunteer for the UNMC Sharing Clinic (service to the underserved), UNMC Dental Days, Nebraska Dental Mission of Mercy, Lincoln City Mission and Clinic with a Heart.
Dr. Hattervig sets an example of professionalism and service to the College of Dentistry’s students. He is a gifted educator.
In addition, Dr. Hattervig is a member of the American Dental Association, previously the South Dakota Dental Association, now the Nebraska Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He is also a member of the International College of Dentists.