PNWU SDM’s Director of Faculty Development, Dr. Gary Pape, joined our team in October 2023.
Dr. Pape was born and raised in Chicago, IL. His father and uncle were general dentists and, as a young boy, he spent many hours at his father’s office doing specialized procedures such as washing the windows, mopping the floor, and when needed, developing x-ray films and very minor assisting.
He went to Purdue University as a pre-dent major, but midway through discovered psychology. He changed majors and career aspirations and for the next 12 years worked in the mental health field at Northwestern University’s Institute of Psychiatry. While there he earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and contemplated a doctoral program in psychology.
Several conversations with his father renewed his interest in dentistry and a closer look at the profession motivated him to apply to dental school.
He earned his DDS degree from Northwestern University Dental School but was not able to realize his or his father’s dream to practice together as his father passed away before he completed his degree. Working as an associate for several practices in Chicago convinced him of the need to start his own practice where he could put his treatment philosophy in place. He decided this was the time to explore other areas of the country and in doing so, fell in love with the Pacific Northwest, specifically Wenatchee, WA.
He purchased a practice and brought his family to Wenatchee. He traded the concrete and steel mountains of Chicago for the exquisite Cascade Mountains, where he and his sons enjoyed hiking and skiing. Professionally, he thrived using a relationship based dental philosophy and placed continuing education as a major focus in his development, marked by achieving mastership status in the Academy of General Dentistry. He was active in the local dental society and served as president of the North Central District Dental Society.
After 20 years of clinical practice, he trained his sights on academia and training the next generation of dentists. He accepted a teaching position at Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine as a clinic team leader and spent nine years there in a variety of positions: behavioral science teacher, coordinator of faculty development, coordinator of student advising, and simulation lab team leader.
At Western, he viewed his position as a new career and dived into the discipline of an educator. He earned his master’s degree in education from the University of the Pacific and applied his newfound knowledge to his teaching.
He views his appointment as director of faculty development at PNWU as an honor and a call to use the principles and best practices of teaching to our developing program. He is excited to join the leadership team as they build a program that will inspire and equip our students with knowledge, skills, and heart.
“My overarching goal is to support each individual faculty members’ growth as an educator so that they can guide their students towards excellence,” said Dr. Pape. “We know that the skills and knowledge needed to be a well-rounded clinician are continually evolving. At PNWU we want to provide the strongest foundation possible to support our learner’s growth. Many of our faculty will be new to academia and the role of an educator. Our faculty development program will be devoted to introducing faculty to the science of teaching and learning and actively supporting their teaching efforts with developing excellent clinicians.”
