The 2026 recipient of the UConn Health Board of Directors Faculty Recognition Award is Dr. David Shafer, associate professor and chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the UConn School of Dental Medicine.
Shafer is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in oral and maxillofacial surgery and implantology and has made significant contributions to both the postdoctoral and predoctoral curricula in the School of Dental Medicine. Shafer is an accomplished practitioner who is sought after by dental and medical colleagues throughout the state and region for the management of complex patient needs.
“Dr. Shafer has been at UConn Health since 1990 and has made outstanding contributions in education, research, clinical care and administrative service,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine “Under his leadership, the oral surgery residency program has been recognized as one of the nation’s premier training programs. He is incredibly deserving of this honor from the UConn Health Board of Directors.”
Shafer received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his DMD cum laude from Harvard University. He completed his training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in 1990 and joined the faculty of the UConn School of Dental Medicine the same year as assistant professor. He was promoted to senior rank with academic tenure in 1997. Dr. Shafer served as the program director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency program from 1997 through 2025 and as the chair of the department since 1999.
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