Jo Ann Jordan steps down; Program Director for the Division of Dental Hygiene

August 18, 2022

It was with mixed emotions that Dean Peter M. Loomer, BSc, DDS, PhD, MRCD(C), FACD, announced in May that Jo Ann Jordan, MA, RDH, would step down as Director of the Dental Hygiene Division in the Department of Periodontics effective June 30, 2022.

Jordan has been the Program Director for the Division of Dental Hygiene since 2013. At that time, the Dental Hygiene Division was moved from the School of Allied Health to the School of Dentistry. As this transition occurred, many changes had to take place, and Jordan superbly navigated the seemingly daily challenges as the program became a division within the Department of Periodontics. Jordan not only did a masterful job managing this transition but has also built the program into its current successful form. She and her faculty led the Dental Hygiene students and program through the COVID-19 pandemic and for the last few years, their students have achieved a 100% pass rate on board examinations.

Jordan received both her certificate in dental hygiene in 1995 and her Bachelor’s completion degree in 2001 graduating Summa Cum Laude from UT Health San Antonio. She earned her Master of Arts degree in administration from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2010 and is currently working on her PhD in Health Sciences in the School of Health Professions. Jordan began her career at UT Health San Antonio in 1999 as a Clinic Instructor. In 2005, she joined the Department of Periodontics as a full-time Research Coordinator where she coordinated many multicenter dental studies. In 2013, she returned to academics and was appointed the Program Director for Dental Hygiene.

The School of Dentistry thanks Mrs. Jo Ann Jordan for her hard work and outstanding leadership over her 23 years at UT Health San Antonio and wishes her great success in her future opportunities.

The search for a new Director of Dental Hygiene has begun with Beatriz Hicks, MA, RDH, serving as the Interim Program Director in the meantime.