13 May 2025

---

Faculty member Dr. Theodora Danciu named Fellow for national Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program

---

Dr. Theodora E. Danciu, Clinical Professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the School of Dentistry, has been named a 2025-26 Fellow for the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program.

Hosted by the College of Medicine at Drexell University in Philadelphia, the ELAM program is the sole comprehensive initiative in North America designed to ready women for senior leadership opportunities in academic health institutions, including medicine, dentistry, public health, and pharmacy schools. It aims to enhance professional and personal skill sets necessary to navigate the complexities of today’s healthcare environment, focusing on challenges unique to women in leadership.

Each year, about 100 candidates are selected through a competitive process to participate in this prestigious program.  More than 1,600 ELAM alumnae serve in leadership positions at 300 academic health centers around the world.

Dr. Danciu is the dental school’s Director of Engaged Learning and Assessment and she directs the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Biopsy Service. Her national-level contributions to dental education include presently serving as Chair of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Faculties, and she leads the ADEA Domains of Competence Workgroup in revising predoctoral dental education competencies. She previously served as Councilor for the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

As an ELAM fellow, Dr. Danciu will leverage her 25 years of experience to tackle current challenges in university leadership while preparing for future career advancements.

“I am deeply grateful to my Chair, Dr. Purnima Kumar, for her mentorship and her nomination of me and to Dean Jacques Nor for his support,” Dr. Danciu said. “I am excited to embark on this new phase of my career and at the prospect of bringing the knowledge and experience back to my institution.”

Dr. Danciu noted that she is joining a distinguished group from the School of Dentistry who have previously completed the ELAM program: Drs. Nisha D’Silva, Margherita Fontana, Nan Hatch, Jan Hu, Lynn Johnson, Purnima Kumar and Marilyn Woolfolk.

Source: https://news.dent.umich.edu/