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SOD Marketing & Communications Impact
By the Numbers: How we share the story
These metrics demonstrate the scale and scope of our work in advancing institutional priorities and elevating the School of Dentistry's visibility.
12K+
social followers across 5 channels
with signature platforms delivering 24K+ monthly reach and triple-digit engagement growth
100+ articles annually
advancing faculty, student, and research visibility and patient education
20+
UAB press releases
&
6-12
faculty media interviews each year supporting research, clinical care, and institutional expertise
Provide
executive leadership
for strategic planning and outcomes assessment in partnership with the dean, and institutional communications alignment
25+
executive communications annually ensuring clarity and alignment internally and externally
1200+ web pages managed
supporting accurate, accessible institutional information
50+
SOD eNews editions, special editions sent to more than
950
employees and students each year
UAB SOD
Impact
Annual report and magazine documenting institutional priorities, progress, and people
We execute
successful
digital marketing campaigns to promote our clinics
We serve as a communications
resource
for departments, offices, and student organizations
Communications initiatives supported priorities across all
4 pillars
and
2 foundations
of the school’s strategic plan
30+
appearances annually in UAB publications &
12+
campus presentations & tabling events
Lead
4+
campus engagement and wellness activities annually for employees and students
Support
employee onboarding
in partnership with SOD HR
Help plan
3
school wide events (Commencement, Honors Convocation, White Coat Ceremony) + provide volunteer support 3 others
Crowning Achievements
biannual newsletter connecting internal and external communities
Inside UAB Dentistry
monthly LinkedIn newsletter expanding professional visibility and engagement
Work with all
7
departments and
6
units
Launched 75th anniversary website on October 18th, 2023 (the school’s 75th anniversary)
17
UAB releases + 1 press conference in 2023-2024
Telling the SOD Story
SOD Marketing & Communications brings strategy and storytelling together to strengthen the School of Dentistry's visibility, repuation, and impact. Our work supports all four pillars of the school's strategic plan, connecting progress happening across our mission and making sure it is seen, understood, and valued.
We partner with the dean and other school and campus leaders to shape clear, consident messaging that supports recruitment, patient growth, alumni engagement and philanthropic advancement.
Visibility isn't accidental. It's intentional.
Strategy & Impact
We align communications strategy with the School of Dentistry's strategic plan and deliver measurable results across education, patient care, research, and community engagement.
Impact at a glance
12K+
Social followers
100+
Stories produced annually
20+
UAB press releases
1200+
Web pages managed
Explore the full Communications Impact dashboard
How we put strategy into action
Executive Communications & Leadership Alignment
- Strategic messages for internal and external audiences
- Points of Pride, leadership materials, institutional reporting support
Internal Communications & Engagement
- SOD eNews
- Digital Signage
- Campus Calendar
- SharePoint
External Communications & Reputation
- Public relations, news, and announcements
- UAB Experts and media coordination
- Press releases and press conferences
- Marketing
- Social Media
- Website
- Impact
- Crowning Achievements
- Inside UAB Dentistry
Creative & Brand Experience
- Branding
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Videography
Emergency Communications & Critical Communications
- Clinic closure notices in coordination with UAB Office of Marketing & Communications
- Epic updates
Visit the Communications Toolkit
Where you'll see us in action
School Ceremonies
- Commencement
- Honors Convocation
- White Coat
Training & Onboarding
- EXCEL Faculty and staff programs
- New Employee Onboarding Sessions
Signature Initiatives
- 75th Anniversary website & activities
- Student website
- Engagement & wellness initiatives
- Patient wayfinding & guest services messaging
Major Events & Conference Support
- Alumni Weekend
- Hygiene Weekend
- Scholars Symposium
Strategy, Outcomes & Reporting
- Strategic plan alignment
- Outcomes reporting and progress updates
Meet SOD Marketing & Communications
Our team brings together expertise in strategy, storytelling, media, digital engagement, and creative development to support the mission of the School of Dentistry.
Lynne Jarreau
Director of Communications
SDB 408
Mary Sims
Communications Specialist
SDB 407
Edlyn Olmos
Communications Office Services Specialist
SDB 407
See how the School of Dentistry's story unfolds across our channels
@UAB-School-of-Dentistry
Stay connected! News for and about our community of faculty, staff, students and alumni
@UAB.Dentistry.Dothan
Patient education from our experts and updates from the UAB Dentistry Dothan team
@uabschoolofdentistry
See what our students are up to - With our vibrant and engaged community, there is always something going on!
YouTube
@UABDentistry
From educational content to livestreams of our important ceremonies, follow and like our channel to stay in the loop of the UAB SOD happenings
Stay Connected
New state-of-the-art clinic planned for Decatur to help continue to address Alabama’s dental crisis
Patient Education
Tap into the expertise of UAB Dentistry’s world-class faculty to learn more about your oral health.
SOD Marketing & Communications Toolkit
Share Your News
Share your news with us! Do you have a story to tell or an announcement to share?
Submit your news or story idea for consideration for publication through a variety of channels
Resources for School of Dentistry faculty, staff, and students
Use the tools below to submit requests, access brand assets, and connect with communications support.
SOD Logos
Looking for the School of Dentistry's logo? Find it in the UAB Digital Asset Library (DAL).
SOD Marketing Approval/Request
Are you trying to promote something SOD related? Fill out this form to get approval for your promotion or to request promotional assets.
SOD Website Edit Request
Submit requests for existing page content edits or adding a new page to the SOD website.
SOD Photo/Video Request
Submit request for photography or videography relating to an SOD need or event (headshot, SOD event photography, etc.).
SOD Branding Assets Request
Submit request for UAB SOD branding assets (seal, letterhead, access to brand library on Adobe Express).
SOD Faculty/Staff Email Listing Request
Submit request for addition to the school's email listserv and SOD eNews email distribution list.
SOD Full-Time Faculty/Staff Web Listing Request
Submit request for addition to the full-time faculty or staff web listing page.
SOD Image Gallery
Looking for images specific to School of Dentistry. The SOD SharePoint Image Gallery is your source for approved School of Dentistry visuals and photography.
Note: login is required to access the gallery.
UAB Digital Asset Library (DAL)
The UAB Digital Asset Library (DAL) is a portal of photos, videos, brand assets, logos, and templates. It is maintained by the Office of Marketing & Communications to support the work of faculty, staff, students, partners, and vendors in visually representing UAB.
Note: A BlazerID and password are required to use the request form.
Logo & Branding
Access and learn about the UAB brand, including Trademarks & Licensing information.
Download Branded Items
Access and learn about UAB branded items such as email signatures, PowerPoint Templates, etc.
Order Branded Items
Access and learn about ordering UAB branded items such as pens, tote bags, mugs, etc. Here you will also find items with a unique ordering process including Blaze stress balls, name badges, podium drapes, stationary & business cards, tablecloths, etc.
Photo & Video Guidelines
Learn about UAB's photography and videography guidelines.
Media Release Forms
Learn about UAB's media release guidelines and access the forms.
Social Media Guidelines
Learn about UAB's social media guidelines, it's approved social media tools, and accessibility.
Order Stationary, Business, & Appointment Cards
Departments can work with UAB Printing Services to order stationary including letterheads, memo pads, envelopes, business cards, and appointment cards.
UAB Printing & Mailing Services
The UAB Print/Mail Services provides an array of services such as printing, copying, mailing and postal services for UAB faculty, staff, students, departments, affiliated centers and organizations.
Request Publicity
Submit your item to UAB’s Office of Marketing & Communications for internal or external coverage.
Note: A BlazerID and password are required to use the request form.
Looking for an opportunity to gain valuable exposure to laboratory research?
UAB School of Dentistry participates in and hosts students through several campus-based biomedical sciences summer partnerships. Students from the UAB Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD) and the UAB Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center (MHERC) are placed in the school’s various labs, giving them valuable exposure to laboratory research. Faculty are also available to mentor and provide lectures for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Partnership Research Student Training Program (PRSTP).
For information about undergraduate research placements, contact:
Dr. Amjad Javed
Associate Dean for Research
(205) 996-5124
Logo designed by UAB SOD SRG Chief Design Officer, Alex Pausa
The UAB Student Research Group (SRG) is the School of Dentistry's dynamic local student-run chapter of the American Association of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research National Student Research Group (AADOCR NSRG). Our mission is to promote and showcase our interdisciplinary basic science, translational, and clinical research activities, provide researchers with resources in professional development, and facilitate collaborations within UAB and the community.
"UAB SOD research is fueled by a vibrant community of dental students, graduate students, dual-degree trainees, residents, and postdoctoral fellows. Supported by dedicated faculty mentors and advisors, our researchers have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and resources from leading organizations such as the NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research."
Ethan Brenna, UAB SRG President
Find more information on our linktree. Check out our upcoming SRG events on the UAB Campus Calendar and join us soon!
Check out the latest newsletter below.
Hear from the editors, Rahul Wadhwani and Suyeon Kim:
"We are delighted to introduce the 2025 edition of Bridging the Gap on behalf of the UAB SOD’s Local Student Research Group’s Newsletter Editorial Board. This semester’s edition continues with providing an interdisciplinary platform to highlight the ongoing research endeavors of the students and faculty within the UAB SOD."
A legacy of national student research leadership at UAB Dentistry
Student research group recognized for new student involvement
Our Latest News
Where student research takes center stage.
21st Annual Scholars Symposium
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Time: 12pm to 5pm
Location: Margaret Spain Auditorium (Keynote); West Pavilion Atrium & Marnix E. Heersink Conference Center (Posters)
Theme: Craniofacial Pain
At UAB School of Dentistry, research isn’t just part of what we do—it’s the main event. Scholars Symposium is our premier annual showcase, where students step into the spotlight to present groundbreaking work across the spectrum of oral health, dental, and craniofacial research.
Organized around our five clusters of scientific expertise, the symposium highlights both bench and clinical research, offering a dynamic platform for exploring the methods and discoveries shaping the future of care. Each year, a nationally recognized keynote speaker headlines the event, joined by one of our own expert faculty members who shares insights from their leading-edge work.
More than a presentation—this is a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and the next generation of scientific leaders. At Scholars Symposium, research truly takes center stage.
Want to showcase your research?
Research presented is the work of students -- dental and graduate students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and college students -- completed during their enrollment at UAB.
A call for abstracts is distributed each December and includes details about participation. Students submit abstracts through the online submission following symposium guidelines. Once approved, each participant prepares a poster describing the background, objectives, results, and conclusions of their research project. Judges from the UAB research community review the presentations, and awards are given in basic science, clinical science, table clinic, and scholarly activity categories.
Join us at our next symposium. We can't wait to see you there!
Save the Date
4th Annual Dr. Perng-Ru Liu Memorial Lecture
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Check back soon for more details!
A Legacy of Learning
Dr. Perng-Ru Liu provided more than three decades of leadership in prosthodontics and comprehensive dentistry at the UAB School of Dentistry. A passionate educator and mentor, he was deeply committed to continuing dental education and lifelong learning—often concluding each CE year by offering enriching educational opportunities for both dentists and dental hygienists.
In recognition of his enduring impact on the School of Dentistry and the countless lives he touched—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the practice community alike—UAB Continuing Dental Education established this annual lecture in his memory. The Dr. Perng-Ru Liu Memorial Lecture stands as a tribute to his legacy of learning, his dedication to excellence, and his unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives and elevate patient care.
About Dr. Liu
Dr. Perng-Ru Liu received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Chung-Shan Medical University in Taiwan in 1985. He joined UAB as a clinical instructor in Restorative Dentistry in 1990, then received his Master of Science in Dental Materials from UAB in 1992 and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 1999. He was the founding chair for the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry (2000-09), and also chaired the Department of Prosthodontics (2009-12) and the Department of Restorative Sciences (2012-19). In 2014, Liu was named the inaugural holder of the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting Endowed Professorship in Comprehensive Dentistry. He was appointed Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs in 2020, a position he held until his passing in November 2022.
World Class Dentistry with Modern Technology
At UAB Dentistry Dothan, we are proud to offer our world-class dentistry and patient-centered care to the Wiregrass. Our clinic is outfitted with the latest technology including a TRIOS 5 Wireless Intraoral Scanner which utilizes 3D imaging technology to capture high-resolution digital impressions, as well as panoramic radiography that provides a two-dimensional (2-D) dental X-ray examination to capture the entire mouth in a single image. Book your appointment now and take advantage of all we have to offer!
Services
General Family Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry
Patient Education
Tap into the expertise of UAB Dentistry’s world-class faculty to learn more about your oral health.
Where Education Drives Excellence in Care
Save the Date
20th Annual Dental Hygiene Symposium and Hinman Lectures
Date: August 14th-15th, 2026
Location: Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel
The Dental Hygiene Symposium and Hinman Lecture is where passion for oral health meets professional growth. Hosted by the UAB School of Dentistry’s Office of Continuing Dental Education, this dynamic two-day event brings together hygienists, assistants, office managers, and dentists from across the region for an energizing blend of education, networking, and innovation.
Each year, the event welcomes more than 1,200 attendees, making it one of the largest hybrid dental meetings in Alabama. With expert-led sessions and a vibrant exhibit hall, the symposium offers something for every member of the dental team. Whether you're looking to sharpen your clinical knowledge, explore the latest industry trends, or connect with peers who share your commitment to excellence, this is the place to be.
Join us in celebrating the vital role of dental hygiene in whole-patient care—and leave inspired, informed, and ready to make an even greater impact.
Interested in sponsorship?
Sponsorship opportunities are available for event speakers, breakfast, morning or afternoon breaks on Friday and Saturday, and/or for our virtual program. Contact Ann Marie Karaki at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 205.996.6494 for sponsorship details.