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Professor Emeritus Dr. David Gerard's Memory Honored

Dr. David Gerard, Professor Emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, passed away peacefully in August at his home with his wife, Ruth, by his side. Dr. Gerard began his research career with the University of Tennessee in 1980 as a microscopy technician in the former Department of Medical Biology. In 1990, he was named an Assistant Professor and Director of Research in the Department of OMFS by former Chair Dr. Donald Chase. He also held adjunct appointments in Pathology and the former Department of Medical Genetics. In 1993, Dr. Gerard was also named Director of the Diagnostic Electron Microscopy Laboratory. He received his designation of Professor Emeritus in fall 2019.

Dr. Gerard was a true scholar. OMFS Chair Dr. Eric Carlson reports that Dr. Gerard was directly responsible for the elevation of the department’s national and international reputations by assisting clinicians with the development of translational research and its dissemination within high impact factor journals in the international peer-reviewed literature. He authored and co-authored many publications including 30 peer reviewed studies and book chapters on topics such as electron microscopy, leukemia, and dental implants. He also received grant funding for several of his studies related to dental implants, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), bone grafts, and the expression of ODAM in oral tumors. Dr. Gerard also held editorial appointments for the journals of Oral Implantology and Osteoporosis International.

In addition to his research, Dr. Gerard mentored several graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. Most of all, Dr. Gerard was a great personal friend to many at the medical center, and he is greatly missed.

Pictured: Dr. David Gerard

Posted: September 4, 2020