19/05/2020
Prof.Henry Gremillion RIP
We, at the LSU Health School of Dentistry, are heartbroken at the loss of our leader and friend, Dr. Henry Gremillion. His mark on our school is significant and he will always be in our hearts. Dr. Larry Hollier, Chancellor, posted this message today to the LSUHSC community:
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Dear LSU Health New Orleans family,
It is with tremendous sadness that I inform you of the sudden passing of Henry Gremillion, DDS, MAGD, Dean of our School of Dentistry. Henry, a Louisiana native and 1977 graduate of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry, came home to lead his alma mater in 2008. He was the sixth dean since the founding of the dental school and the only LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry alumnus who held the position.
Henry was a visionary leader on the local, state and national levels. He shepherded to completion the first new permanent building on the Dental School campus since the school was originally constructed. The $31 million, 64,899 square foot structure now named the Allen A. Copping, DDS Advanced Clinical Care and Research Building opened in 2018. Thanks to Henry’s leadership guiding their extensive renovation, students now hone their skills in some the most advanced preclinical labs in the country.
Henry led the state’s only School of Dentistry and the only one in the country with degree programs in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technology.
His many honors include LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry Alumnus of Year in 2001, the school’s highest alumnus award, and the University of Florida College of Dentistry Teacher of the Year in 2002 and 2007. A beloved educator, the Florida Dental Association honored him as the Florida Dental Educator of the Year in 2002 and 2006. Henry received the Louisiana Academy of General Dentistry Career Service Award in 2003. He was selected as a 2007 Distinguished Professor by the University of Florida Blue Key Society. In 2008, the American Academy of General Dentistry honored Dr. Gremillion with the prestigious Theodore V. Weclew award for contributions to the education of general dentists. In 2009, the Dawson Academy honored him with its Career Service Award. In 2010, he received the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Service Award, and in 2015, the Pierre Fauchard Gold Medal. He was a member of the American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Fraternity, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Pain Society, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Equilibration Society, American Association for Dental Research and International Association for Dental Research.
You can read more about Henry in this story written when he was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Dental Education Association -- the sole national organization representing academic dentistry.
Despite his national stature, Henry easily related to people from all walks of life. Students, faculty, patients, members of the community, elected officials, local, state and national leaders all found him approachable, respectful, caring, engaged and down to earth.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Please keep his family, as well as his Dental School and Health Sciences Center colleagues in your thoughts and prayers as they cope with this inestimable loss.
