Congratulations to Jill Bussey-Harris, DMD and Monroe E. Harris, Jr. for receiving University of Louisville Alumni Fellows Awards
Monroe E. Harris, Jr., 84 DMD, received a Doctor of Dental Medicine from UofL’s School of Dentistry in 1984. He completed an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago in 1988.
Dr. Harris was the recipient of the Oliver Hill Citizen of the Year Award, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award in 1984, the C.V. Mosby Award in Pathology in 1984, the Quintessence Award of Clinical Achievement in Periodontics in 1985, the Dentist of the Year for the Old Dominion Dental Society in 1998, the Bank of America’s Local Hero Award in 2009, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award in 2011, and the Flame bearers Award for the United Negro College Fund in 2011.
Dr. Harris has been affiliated with many professional and civic organizations. He has served as Board Member for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, the Virginia State Board of Medical Assistance, Venture Richmond, Theatre I.V., American Civil War Center, Richmond Public School Foundation, Richmond Center State Foundation, and the Garfield Child Memorial Fund. Harris has served as President of the Old Dominion Dental Society, and the Virginia State Board of Dentistry. He has been a Board Examiner for Southern Regional Testing, a Diplomate for the American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons, a Fellow for the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and a Member of the National Dental Association. Dr. Harris has volunteered his time in the community for the Crossover and Fan Free Dental Clinics, the Richmond Community High School, the Richmond School of Health and Technology, Donated Dental Services, and the Mission of Mercy. He is a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society, Beta Delta Honorary Oral Medicine and Pathology Fraternity, and Delphi Honorary Dental Society.
Jill Bussey-Harris, 87DMD, received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from UofL’s School of Dentistry in 1987. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Fisk University.
Dr. Bussey-Harris was the first African-American full-time Assistant Professor at the VCU/MCV School of Dentistry.
She has been affiliated with many professional and civic organizations. She is a member of the American Dental Association, National Dental Association, Virginia Dental Association, Richmond Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, Old Dominion Dental Society, Peter B. Ramsey Dental Society, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and American Association of Women Dentist. Dr. Bussey-Harris has served as patron chair for the 2010 Heart Ball, art auction chair for 2011 The Links, Inc., on the Citizen’s Advisory Council for Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, Massey Cancer Advisory Board, Richmond Ballet Trustee Board, Canvas Board at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, SPARC Board, School of Performing Arts in the Richmond Community and the First Lady’s Initiatives Team Effort (FLITE).
In addition to all of the Harris’s accomplishments, successes and contributions to their profession and people, their greatest is their two children, Monroe III and Madison.
One of the goals of the Alumni Fellow Program is to get the honorees “in front of” current faculty and students. That get together is always inspirational to everyone involved. Before we could even ask the Harris’s, they expressed the desire to meet with minority students. Adding class and student government leaders, plus faculty, made the lunch time event even more special. Seeing Monroe Harris provide his mentor Shelley Caulder, with a hug of love and appreciation while both had tears in their eyes was indeed special! The goal was accomplished! See Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyNk58rb2zw
