Faculty member Dr. Theodora Danciu named Fellow for national Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program3 min read
Ann Arbor, Mich., April 17, 2025 – 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.
More information about program and the 2025-26 class are available on the ELAM website.
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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral healthcare education, research, patient care and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu. Email: [email protected], or (734) 615-1971.