UTHealth Houston welcomes Saeed as associate dean for patient care

Sophia G. Saeed, DMD, has been named associate dean for patient care at UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston, effective March 2.

“I believe Dr. Saeed will be a tremendous addition to the UTSD family,” said Dean John A. Valenza. “She comes to our school at the perfect time, as we plan for what’s next in our programs in education, patient care, service, and research.”

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Saeed earned her dental degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and completed residency at the University of California, San Francisco, as well as an educational fellowship through UCSF’s Teaching Scholars Program.

She joined the UCSF faculty in 2008 and became director of the General Practice Residency (GPR) and Hospital Dentistry Practice in 2009, holding both positions through 2013. Saeed also served as the director of GPR/Hospital Dentistry Externship from 2009-12 and director of Hospital Dentistry Preceptorship from 2011-2012.

In 2013, Saeed redirected her career to focus on predoctoral education, curriculum, and evidence-based educational practices, and in 2018, she joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine faculty as professor in residence and chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences.

In addition, Saeed serves as a consultant for the Commission on Dental Accreditation and Academy for the Advancement of Leadership. She is an active member of the American Dental Education Association and serves as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Dental Education. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association and Greater Houston Dental Society. 

She has received numerous local and national teaching awards and been an invited to present at many regional and national conferences. Saeed is also an inductee into Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society and the UCSF School of Medicine’s Academy for Medical Educators.

Saeed succeeds Kimberly Ruona, DDS, who served in the role from 2015 through February 2020 and remains a member of the UTSD faculty in the Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health.