John H. Sullivan, D.D.S.

The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry Alumni Association has selected Dr. John H. Sullivan as one of its 2009 Outstanding Alumnus Award winners. The Alumni Association’s highest award is presented to Dr. Sullivan in recognition of his contributions to his alma mater and the dental profession. Dr. Sullivan received his undergraduate degree from Memphis State University and his D.D.S. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Upon graduation in 1969, he returned to his hometown of Lexington, TN where he has been in general practice for almost 40 years.

Shortly after he started practicing dentistry, Dr. Sullivan realized the importance of taking an active role in the professional organizations that promote the profession of dentistry including the American Dental Association, The Tennessee Dental Association, The Tennessee AGD and The UT College of Dentistry Alumni Association. His service in important leadership roles in each of these organizations underscores his important contributions to the profession of dentistry. Not only does Dr. Sullivan put in long hours in his private dental practice, he finds time to serve dentistry across Tennessee in extremely active roles. Since his involvement with the TDA began in 1971, Dr. Sullivan has served in numerous leadership roles including West Tennessee Vice President, Chairman of Dental Relief, Council on Agencies & Awards, Chairman of the Awards Committee, Vice President and President. He has been a member of the Tennessee AGD since 1990 and served as a Board Member from 1993-1998. From 1994-1998 he served as Board Legislative Chair for the Tennessee AGD. Dr. Sullivan is a member of the American Orthodontic Society, American Academy of General Dentistry and the American College of Dentists. He is a Fellow in the TDA, the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.

Dr. Sullivan is an active member of the UT College of Dentistry Alumni Board of Trustees and served as Vice President and President of the UT Dental Alumni Association. As a member of the UT Alumni Board of Trustees, he has served a vital role in the success of the MidSouth Dental Congress, now in its 14th year. Dr. Sullivan has served on numerous committees for the MidSouth Dental Congress, including his role of Chairman of the Exhibits Committee. His dedication and commitment to the UT College of Dentistry are unrivaled. Dr. Sullivan helped establish and continues to support the Dental Scholarship Endowment, which provides annual need-based scholarship awards for dental students. He currently serves on the UT Legislative Committee and was a member of the College of Dentistry 21st Century Campaign Committee, which generated more than $5 million dollars for the college.

In his hometown of Lexington, Tennessee, Dr. Sullivan has taken a leadership role in countless community organizations including the Henderson County Planning Committee, Henderson County Senior Citizens Board, Rotary International, Henderson County Library and the Beech River Water Shed Development Association. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Lexington and has served on various committees for the Lexington Little League, The Lexington Civic Center, The Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America. Despite the many hours Dr. Sullivan has committed to the profession of dentistry and his community, his number one role is as father to his four children and three grandchildren.

James B. Summitt, D.D.S., M.S.

The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry Alumni Association has selected Dr. James B. Summitt as one of its 2009 Outstanding Alumnus Award winners. The Alumni Association’s highest award is presented to Dr. Summitt in recognition of his contributions to his alma mater and the dental profession. Dr. Summitt received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1971 where he was a member of the Dean’s Odontological Society.

Dr. Summitt began his career in dentistry as a dental officer in the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of colonel before he retired in 1989. He completed a two-year General Practice Residency (GPR) and in addition, received a Master of Science degree. He was Director of the two-year GPR at Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) in San Antonio, TX from 1984 to 1988. Dr. Summit then became Director of Dental Services for WHMC, and he continues to serve the Air Force as a national civilian consultant in Restorative Dentistry.

In 1989, Dr. Summitt joined the faculty at the University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio (UTHSCA). He was appointed as Head of the Division of Operative Dentistry in 1991 and maintained that position until he was named Chairman of Restorative Dentistry in 2000.

As a dental educator and scientist, Dr. Summitt has been incredibly productive. He has published 56 original articles, 85 abstracts, and has been an investigator in 13 funded research projects. Dr. Summitt has also served as mentor to innumerable students and residents. He is first author on Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry—A Contemporary Approach, a textbook which is used by many dental schools in the United States and abroad.

In addition to his academic credentials, Dr. Summitt has also given much of his time and talents to the community and the profession. He serves on the editorial review boards of six dental journals. Nationally, he serves on the Scientific Investigation Committee for the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Summitt is also vice-president-elect of the Academy of Operative Dentistry. He is Board Certified by the American Board of General Dentistry and served as president of the body from 1996 to 1997.

Dr. Summitt has been acknowledged numerous times throughout his career for excellence. He received the Meritorious Service Medal four times and was awarded the Legion of Merit Award upon his retirement from the Air Force. He received the 2005 Award of Excellence from the Academy of Operative Dentistry. Dr. Summitt has also received several teaching awards at UTHSCSA, including The Presidential Teaching Award, the University’s highest teaching accolade.

Dr. Summitt has tremendous clinical, teaching, mentoring, and living skills. He always leads by example and never asks anything of his students that he wouldn’t do himself.