By Jeanne M. Hoban

Northeast Ohio Medical University celebrated the opening of the Bitonte College of Dentistry on August 22, 2025. On that day, the inaugural class of 52 students donned their white coats for the first time, marking the beginning of their professional journeys and the start of a new venture for NEOMED.

The White Coat Ceremony was followed by a ribbon cutting and tour of the new dental clinic.

“We are grateful for the generosity of the Bitonte Family Foundation and the State of Ohio for supporting the establishment of our fourth college, which aims to provide dental care in rural and urban communities throughout the region,” said NEOMED President John T. Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., during the ceremony.

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel was among the dignitaries who visited the NEOMED campus to address the crowd for the historic occasion.

“All 52 students—I only have one request—you stay in Ohio,” said Lt. Gov. Tressel.

Looking to the Future

The main goal for the Bitonte College of Dentistry is to build a sustainable entity, Sorin Teich, D.M.D., M.B.A., dean of the College, shared.

“When we talk about sustainability, we are talking about achieving permanent accreditation, sustainability in the curriculum, sustainability in education, providing workforce for Ohio, providing a great service to our future patients, providing the best for our students,” he explained. “We always say that we are providing an exceptional experience for them, and we are fully committed to that. And overall, the goal is to try to have something that is moving in the right direction and will serve the people of Ohio.”

Building History

To commemorate the historic launch of the Bitonte College of Dentistry, faculty and students shared what led them to NEOMED and their thoughts on being part of the auspicious occasion.

Drawn by Innovation

Dr. Teich is a dentist and prosthodontist, who has worked in private practice and academia. He has also been part of biotech and pharmaceutical start-up companies.

“Many years ago, I had the opportunity to open several start-ups and to manage several very young companies. I think that doing this, opening a dental school here, is very, very similar to that. It is a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity,” he shared.

What led him to take a chance on leading a brand-new school?

“One of the things that I found attractive about NEOMED is the fact that this is not the largest institution, but still it’s extremely innovative,” Dr. Teich said. “Opening a new program here is a big opportunity to build something from scratch. It’s building something in the right way…trying to adopt all the principles and all the requirements that are needed in order to make these students successful. I think that bringing in new students, new staff, new faculty—bringing them together and creating collegiality and creating a real team de novo, this is very exciting.”

A Sort of Homecoming

Joining NEOMED was a sort of homecoming for Jean Fox, D.D.S., associate dean for clinical affairs, who previously lived in Northeast Ohio when she was on the faculty at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine. She came to the Bitonte College of Dentistry at the behest of her long-time friend and colleague, Kristin Z. Victoroff, D.D.S., Ph.D., associate dean for education and academic affairs.

“She called me out of the blue one day and said, hey, do you want to come back home? And I said, absolutely. What do you have in mind?” Dr. Fox recalled.

She jumped at the chance to help build the new College.

“It took me three months to pack my stuff, finish up my work in Nebraska [where she was assistant dean at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry]. I arrived here and started the day after the move was complete,” she said. “I’ve seen the plan go from infancy to ready to see patients.”

“It’s pretty amazing,” she said about helping to build the new College. “I have never been a part of such a large plan before. I designed my private practice, but it was minuscule compared to the size and scope of this school.”

Clarity Of Purpose

Alexandra Ukmar, D.D.S., assistant professor of general dentistry, previously taught in the dental school at Case Western Reserve University with Dr. Victoroff and Dr. Fox.

“We were excited that this school is opening at NEOMED, and I really wanted to be here day one,” she said.

She was drawn to the Bitonte College of Dentistry because of clarity of purpose.

“I think we really know why we want to do this. We want to make the best practitioners who care about their patients,” she enthused. “I think it’s our attention to the details that will set us apart and get us to that level of just not being competent, but excellent. And then the students will be able to teach their own patients everything they’ve learned and apply their knowledge, and then continue to grow as they go through their careers.”

Part of Something New

Renato Roperto, D.D.S., Ph.D., chair and associate professor of general dentistry,  was inspired by the vision and mission of NEOMED and was enthusiastic about being part of the new College.

“The chance to help launch a new dental school was really an opportunity that I could not pass up,” he said. Before coming to NEOMED, Dr. Roperto had worked in clinical practice, teaching and research in different institutions and in three different countries: Brazil, Canada and the United States.

Those experiences, he said, “gave me the perspective and the skills to help build a new dental school here at NEOMED.”

He is excited to see the College grow. “Being part of this launch feels exciting and humbling. You’re not just building a program or programs. We are shaping the future, for students, patients and mainly for the community. The opportunity to lay the foundation is truly, truly inspiring for me.”

The Newest and Best Technology

Salem resident Rebekka Hall, a first-year student, earned her bachelor’s degree from Kent State University.

“It really just made sense for me to stay here,” she said. “It was super nice to be able to practice in an area that I know and love.”

Hall also plans to stay in Ohio and work in underserved communities as a dentist.

How does it feel to be part of the inaugural class of the Bitonte College of Dentistry? “It feels really good,” she said. “I think that we are really fortunate to be able to train with the newest and the best technology…and have the best professors that know a lot about dentistry and [dental] education. I’m really excited to see what happens.”

A Childhood Dream

First-year student Brock Janowicz grew up in Stark County and now lives in Canton.

“I always imagined or kind of dreamed of NEOMED opening up a dental school. And when I heard that they did, it was perfect timing, when I was just finishing up undergrad,” he shared.

With his childhood wish coming true, he is excited to be among the first students of the Bitonte College of Dentistry.

“I’m super grateful and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this inaugural class,” he said. “I feel that the faculty has really put in a lot of time and effort to make sure that we’re ready to go. We have all the top-notch equipment and everything to hit the ground running to really succeed.”

He plans to stay in Ohio after completing his studies to work in rural, underserved communities.

Drawn by Reputation

First-year student Angelene Kontul also grew up in Northeast Ohio, which played a role in her decision to apply to the Bitonte College of Dentistry.

“Being close to a support system was very important to me,” she said.

She also chose NEOMED based on the University’s reputation.

“Their medical school has an awesome reputation, so I knew the dental school would follow that path,” Kontul said. “The opportunity to use brand-new equipment [was also a draw]. I think it’s really going to set me up for my career.”

Close to Family

A Toledo native, first-year student Alex Pham wanted to stay in Ohio for dental school and remain close to family.

“I’m excited to be a part of the inaugural class,” he said. “I chose NEOMED because I believe in their mission, and I believe that the faculty and staff have shown immense support thus far. I’m excited for what’s to come next.”

Personal Experience

First-year student Calista Krochmal was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry based on her personal dental history.

“I actually grew up with a tooth deformity, so that’s what got me interested,” she shared. “And then the career itself just put everything that I love — science, creativity, art — all in one thing.”

Fulfilling Career Goal

First-year student Maddy Newberry is excited to join the NEOMED family and achieve a career goal she has had since childhood.

“I wanted to be a dentist because growing up I loved my actual dentist. Then she just randomly one day said, ‘you would make a great dentist.’ And I stuck to it,” Newberry said. “So I owe all my thanks to her.”

Combining Interests

When deciding on a career path, first-year student Benjamin Zinke thought about what he enjoys and what he’s good at.

“My mom was a nurse and my dad was a teacher, and my entire family flipped houses on the side,” he shared. “When I think of the different careers that I was looking at between teaching and science, I knew I wanted to do something medical…And then I learned that there is such a teaching element to being a dentist, with patient care information and trying to provide the best care with the best-informed consent.”

He believes dentistry combines his interests in healthcare and education with his construction experience through which he learned how to find the best form and function for structures.

Dentistry, he said, “kind of made a triple sphere of everything that I wanted to do, everything that I was interested in, and all the skills that accumulated over time into one solid career vision.”