From the Chancellor this morning:
It is with
tremendous sadness that I inform you of the sudden passing of Henry Gremillion,
DDS, MAGD, Dean of our School of Dentistry. Henry, a Louisiana native and 1977
graduate of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry, came home to lead
his alma mater in 2008. He was the sixth dean since the founding of the dental
school and the only LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry alumnus who held
the position.
Henry was a
visionary leader on the local, state and national levels. He shepherded to
completion the first new permanent building on the Dental School campus since
the school was originally constructed. The $31 million, 64,899 square foot
structure now named the Allen A. Copping, DDS Advanced Clinical Care and
Research Building opened in 2018. Thanks to Henry’s leadership guiding their
extensive renovation, students now hone their skills in some the most advanced
preclinical labs in the country.
Henry led the
state’s only School of Dentistry and the only one in the country with degree
programs in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technology.
His many
honors include LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry Alumnus of Year in
2001, the school’s highest alumnus award, and the University of Florida College
of Dentistry Teacher of the Year in 2002 and 2007. A beloved educator, the
Florida Dental Association honored him as the Florida Dental Educator of the
Year in 2002 and 2006. Henry received the Louisiana Academy of General
Dentistry Career Service Award in 2003. He was selected as a 2007 Distinguished
Professor by the University of Florida Blue Key Society. In 2008, the American
Academy of General Dentistry honored Dr. Gremillion with the prestigious
Theodore V. Weclew award for contributions to the education of general
dentists. In 2009, the Dawson Academy honored him with its Career Service
Award. In 2010, he received the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Service
Award, and in 2015, the Pierre Fauchard Gold Medal. He was a member of the
American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, Academy of General
Dentistry, Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Fraternity, American Academy
of Orofacial Pain, American Pain Society, International Association for the
Study of Pain, American Equilibration Society, American Association for Dental
Research and International Association for Dental Research.
You can read
more about Henry in this story written when he was elected Chair of the
Board of Directors of the American Dental Education Association — the sole
national organization representing academic dentistry.
Despite his
national stature, Henry easily related to people from all walks of life.
Students, faculty, patients, members of the community, elected officials,
local, state and national leaders all found him approachable, respectful,
caring, engaged and down to earth.
Arrangements
are incomplete at this time.
Please keep
his family, as well as his Dental School and Health Sciences Center colleagues
in your thoughts and prayers as they cope with this inestimable loss.