Bulletin of Dental Education Article

After serving 36 years, Jack Ferracane, Ph.D., Chair of the Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry (OHSU SOD) Oral Rehabilitation and Integrative Biosciences Department, will close out his career at OHSU at the end of January.

OHSU community members and colleagues from across the globe celebrated Dr. Ferracane’s research and teaching contributions within the dentistry field at a symposium on Nov. 22, 2024. Funny moments and memorable experiences were shared in person at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and through pre-recorded video.

John Keller, Ph.D., a classmate from Northwestern University, where he and Dr. Ferracane earned their doctorates, submitted a video that was broadcast to an audience seated in the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute auditorium. He recalled a small group of friends who enjoyed acting like the Coneheads fictional family from a Saturday Night Live parody that began in 1977. A video clip of the Saturday Night Live satire was played, delighting the audience, following Dr. Keller’s recorded video comments.

Col. Thomas Hilton, D.M.D., a friend of Dr. Ferracane’s for 30 years, and Carmem Pfeifer, D.D.S., Ph.D., head of the Biomaterial and Biosciences Division and a mentee of Dr. Ferracane’s, officiated the afternoon event. Video clips of light-hearted and funny moments were peppered into their presentation. The event highlighted the many accomplishments and heartfelt testimonials from many people whose careers Dr. Ferracane influenced.

Productive Career

Dr. Ferracane is a prolific researcher and author who has published 348 articles since 1981. He’s authored eight textbooks and presented at more than 80 international and national conferences located on each continent except for Antarctica.

He holds 10 patents and secured more than $29 million in research funding over his illustrious career from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and private industry. He is the 2013 recipient of the OHSU Faculty Senate Research Award and numerous other honors.

The way he treats others, and not just his accomplishments, is where Dr. Ferracane shines brightly.

“You are the humblest person I know,” said Ana Fugolin, D.D.S., Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Biomaterials and Biomedical Sciences in the OHSU SOD, while expressing her thanks.

“He modeled respect, character and ethics,” said Dr. Hilton. “I got to go to work with my best friend,” he added, referring to working with Dr. Ferracane at OHSU from 1999 to 2019.

The day that Dr. Pfeifer earned her U.S. citizenship, Dr. Ferracane was by her side. “He’s truly like a father to me,” she said.

OHSU SOD Dean Ron Sakaguchi, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.B.A., spoke about Dr. Ferracane’s dedication to his work and dental students. Recalling that Dr. Ferracane was in the office regularly at 7 a.m. and leaving at 6 p.m.

“He’s an amazingly focused, productive and hard-working person,” said Dr. Sakaguchi.

From left to right: Jack Ferracane, Ph.D., Chair of the Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry (OHSU SOD) Oral Rehabilitation and Integrative Biosciences Department, and Ron Sakaguchi, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.B.A., OHSU SOD Dean.

What’s Next

When the peer-reflection portion of the program was done, Dr. Ferracane took to the podium to share his recollections. He spoke of faculty members he’s become close with, the importance of his family, Trisha, his wife of 45 years, and faith. He also talked about why he never looked for another job.

“The school of dentistry is a special place, and I’ve been to schools all over the world,” he said. “I could never leave. I could never recreate what was here.”

Though he’ll no longer serve as Professor of Restorative Dentistry or Chair at OHSU, Dr. Ferracane will remain Editor-in-Chief at both JADA Foundational Science, an academic journal he established, and Dental Materials, a top journal in the field.

Importantly, he will spend more time with his grandchildren, volunteer at St. Cecilia Church, work on his golf game and cheer for his favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs.

“Thank you all for making me a fulfilled person as an academic and a human being,” he said.

Courtesy of Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry