CDM - Leadership

Dr. Wang trained at Creighton University and completed a 2-year AEGD residency at the University of Missouri Kansas City. She transitioned from private practice and public health into academia prior to LMU, joining LMU from its inception. At LMU, she has held roles including Implant Center Director, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), overseeing preclinical sciences, and currently serves as Interim Dean.

Susan J Baker, DMD, D-ABFO, attended dental school at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. Following graduation, she completed a residency, specializing in Periodontics, also at MCG. Following a successful career in north Atlanta with her own periodontal practice, Dr. Baker pursued her interest in Forensic Odontology, completing a Fellowship in Forensic Dentistry at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In 2022, she joined the faculty of LMU CDM full-time, teaching Periodontics, Oral Medicine, and Preventive Dentistry. Currently, she serves as Dean of Clinical Affairs and serves the residents of East Tennessee by doing forensic dentistry work at the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. Dr. Baker also serves as a consultant to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Fulton County Morgue, consulting on NCIC coding for the FBI. Her volunteer efforts in the area have been with Miles for Smiles and RAM clinics.

Dr. Ammaar Abidi graduated with a dual degree (D.D.S./Ph.D.) from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry and Pharmacy in Memphis, TN. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Memphis, earning a BSc in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Dr. Abidi worked at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry for several years in the Department of Biosciences and General Dentistry. In January 2023, Dr. Abidi joined Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) and currently serves as the Associate Dean of Research. His multifaceted role encompasses teaching, clinical care, research, and service.  Dr. Abidi’s teaching responsibilities include courses such as Medical Basic Pharmacology, Molecular Fundamentals of Medicine I, Cardiovascular Physiopathology, Evidence-Based Dentistry I & II, Foundation of Modern Oral Healthcare II & III, Oral Health Sciences III & IV, Treatment Planning of Patients with Special Needs, and Research Experience. Dr. Abidi is a general dentist in clinical care, providing preventive care, diagnosis and treatment planning, restorative care, pediatric care, cosmetic dentistry, emergency care, and patient comfort and anxiety management. He also supervises students in routine patient care, including treatment planning, restorative and emergency procedures. 

Dr. Jones brings over three decades of extensive experience in dental and dental hygiene education to her role as Associate Dean for Faculty and Students at Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine. Her career spans clinical practice, higher education, and administrative leadership.  Dr. Jones's distinguished educational journey began with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Northeast Mississippi Community College. She then earned a bachelor’s degree, graduating with highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Allied Health, followed by a Master’s degree with highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Jones capped her academic achievements with a Doctor of Healthcare Science degree from Pacific University in Oregon, again graduating with the highest honors.  Dr. Jones dedicated 18 years as a faculty member, at the Northeast Mississippi Community College.  Then serving for seven years, Dr. Jones held roles as faculty, Assistant Professor, Assistant Undergraduate Clinical Director of Periodontics, and Logistical Coordinator at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dental Medicine. She then served as the Program Director of Dental Hygiene, overseeing curriculum development and accreditation processes at Remington College.  Dr. Jones spent the past two years at Lincoln Memorial University beginning as the Dental Hygiene Program Director, before moving to her current position as the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students.

Shaza Mardini received her DDS degree from Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2001.  She began a specialty residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in 2002 and graduated with an M.S. and certification in Diagnostic Sciences and Radiology.  In 2006, Dr. Mardini became board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (ABOMR) and served as past president, Vice President, and director of the board.  Dr. Mardini joined Lincoln Memorial University in April of 2022 teaching the inaugural class of dental students and dental hygiene students topics in radiology.  Her courses include pre-clinical and clinical acquisition of images and interpretation of both 2D and 3D imaging in dentistry as well as radiology for the forensic odontologist.  Dr. Mardini holds several committee positions and is currently the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at LMU College of Dental Medicine. 

 

Dr. Karima Ait-Aissa earned her degree in Biological Engineering from the University of Bejaia, Algeria, followed by a Master's and PhD in Life Sciences in Nancy, France. She then completed postdoctoral training at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where her research focused on mitochondrial dysfunction in microvascular disease, uncovering novel pathways involved in this condition. In 2018, Dr. Ait-Aissa joined the University of Iowa as a faculty member, where she pioneered research on innovative targeted drug delivery systems using nanotechnology during radiation therapy.  In early 2023, she joined the Department of Biomedical Sciences at LMU-CDM as an Assistant Professor and course director for Molecular Fundamentals of Medicine I and II. Her teaching responsibilities include Molecular Biology, Molecular Basics of Immunology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Genetic Disorders, Radiation and Bioterrorism, and Cardiovascular Pathologies.

David graduated from Cleveland State Community College in 1984 with an AAS in Dental Laboratory Technology.  David attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1986 to 1988 working toward a BA in Biology.  He enrolled at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1988 and graduated in June 1992.  David purchased a practice in Collegedale, Tennessee in December 1992 and was in private practice until September 2021.  In April of 2022, David joined the LMU-CDM faculty and taught Morphology in the Fall of 2022 and 2023. David was the Director of Technology and taught in the pre-clinical skills labs until he moved into his current position as a clinical instructor.

Martha Gale began working at LMU-College of Dental Medicine in October of 2021 as the director of continuing education. She was born and raised in East Tennessee and attended State Area Vocational School and Pat McEvers Court Reporting School. Ms. Gale worked in the legal field for 13 years until she was blessed to become a stay-at-home mom with her three daughters. In 2008, she re-entered the workforce accepting a position in the Admissions Department at Pellissippi State Community College, and in 2013 was employed as an administrative assistant for the University of Tennessee College of Engineering-Department of Materials Science.   Ms. Gale transferred to the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in the General Dentistry Department as the administrative assistant to the Division of Forensics coordinating all the forensic dentistry continuing education and Fellowship in Forensic Dentistry.

Cindy Metzger, MSAH, RDH, brings expertise and leadership to her role as the Dental Hygiene Program Director at Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine. With a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, a master's degree in allied health with a focus on education and administration, and decades of experience in clinical dental hygiene practice, Cindy has dedicated her career to advancing dental hygiene education & practice and interprofessional collaboration between medicine and dentistry. Beginning as the assistant program director at LMU CDM, Cindy's passion and commitment to dental hygiene education led her to assume the role of program director in 2023. in the 21st century.

Dr. Kassan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the Lebanese University in Lebanon, where he built a strong foundation in cellular and molecular biology. Dr. Kassan then pursued a master's and Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Physiology at Salamanca University in Spain, exploring the intricate mechanisms of drug actions and physiological responses within the body.

Dr. Kassan's academic journey took him to renowned institutions in the USA, including Tulane University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Iowa University, and UT Memphis, where he engaged in collaborative research projects and gained valuable insights into diverse research methodologies and scientific approaches. Dr. Kassan’s research was funded by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  In August 2022, Dr. Kassan joined the College of Dental Medicine (CDM) at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), USA. Dr. Kassan currently serves as the chair of the biomedical sciences department at LMU-CDM, where he is involved in teaching, research, and service. Dr. Kassan also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM).  Dr. Kassan's teaching responsibilities include Medical Physiology, Molecular Fundamentals of Medicine I, Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, Fundamentals of Medicine in Oral Health, and Treatment Planning of Patients with Special Needs. Dr. Kassan is also involved in various service roles at LMU-CDM, serving on several committees including the admission committee, curriculum committee, and as the chair of the student progress committee (SPC).

Michelle Walker MPH RDH, graduated from the University of South Florida, is a hygienist with over 20 years’ experience, and has worked in dental and dental hygiene education for 13 years. She serves as the Director of Community Based Clinical Education and Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene.  Before this promotion, she was the LMU Assistant Dental Hygiene Program Director, and previously taught at the LSU School of Dentistry and Pasco Hernando State College. As a member of both the didactic and clinical faculty, Ms. Walker teaches Community Dental Health to dental and dental hygiene students, and was a past course director for Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy, and the Treatment of Patients with Special Medical Needs. Ms. Walker is dedicated to enhancing community engagement and outreach, forging vital connections between the university, local healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to improve access to care. She is actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club and Knox County 865 Academies, further extending her commitment to youth development and educational initiatives. She serves on the Health Services Committee for the Clinch Powell Educational Cooperative/Head Start.