What we learned from the pandemic

The pandemic changed the way we interact with each other, the way we learn, the way we teach, and the way we provide dental care. It was also a time for us to reflect on what was important to us, our goals, and our behaviors. Tune into a conversation with Ron Sakaguchi, Dean of the School of Dentistry, to talk about changes we want to remember and continue, and changes we would prefer to forget.

Learning objectives

Describe response to sudden environmental changes, i.e. the pandemic

Describe learning about ourselves when presented with sudden changes

Describe organizational learning from the pandemic

Ron Sakaguchi is the Dean of the School of Dentistry and a Professor in the OHSU School of Medicine’s Division of Management.  Dr. Sakaguchi brings extensive academic, clinical, financial, operations and research experience to the office, with numerous publications and NIH grants. He is the senior editor of a textbook in dental biomaterials used in dental schools internationally and is trained as a prosthodontist and practiced for many years prior to joining the OHSU SOD.

During the COVID pandemic, Dr. Sakaguchi started up and lead a manufacturing team within OHSU Logistics and Supply Chain to coordinate the production of PPE in collaboration with industry partners, including Nike, A-dec, and BMP America. His team worked to maintain a supply of PPE for OHSU Health Care throughout the crisis.

Dr. Sakaguchi joined the OHSU SOD in 1994 as an Associate Professor with tenure. He was promoted to Professor in 1999 and served in a number of dental school leadership roles over the years, including Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, a position he held from 2007 to 2011.  He then joined the Division of Management in the school of medicine and led graduate courses and workshops in innovation, project management, operations management, managerial decisions and the capstone program in the M.S. and M.B.A. programs in Healthcare Management.

Oregon Health & Science University is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.