Margaret Hill, interim dean at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, has been appointed permanently as the first female in the top leadership position of the school. Hill, who previously served as associate dean for academic affairs, was named interim dean by Gerry Bradley in January 2022 when he left his position as dean at the dental school to serve as UofL’s interim provost. Bradley now serves as UofL’s president.
“I am pleased to announce Dr. Hill as the new Dean of the School of Dentistry,” said Interim Provost Kathryn Cardarelli. “As a distinguished alumnus of the University of Louisville, Dr. Hill brings exceptional expertise and leadership in dental education, along with a deep understanding of UofL’s unique values. I am confident that under Dr. Hill’s guidance, the School of Dentistry will continue to thrive and innovate in patient care, research, and community service.”
Hill said she’s enthusiastic about leading one of the nation’s oldest dental schools into the future. “I am truly honored by the confidence that leaders including President Bradley, Interim Provost Cardarelli and the Board of Trustees have shown in me,” said Hill. “I am fully committed to continuing the school’s legacy of service to the community and educational innovation that goes back to the 1800s.”
A native of Estill County, KY, Hill obtained her bachelor’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University and attended the UofL School of Dentistry, earning her DMD in 1987. She then earned a certificate in general practice residency at the UofL School of Dentistry and completed her residency in periodontics at the University of Kentucky in 1990.
Before joining the UofL School of Dentistry full-time, Hill worked in private practice in Elizabethtown, KY.
Hill has published extensively on oral health, with an emphasis on periodontal research. She is also active in dental and dental education organizations, holding leadership positions including commission on change and innovation liaison and women’s liaison for the American Dental Education Association.
As part of the UofL community for more than 40 years as a student, faculty member, associate dean, interim dean and now dean, Hill said she finds joy not just in teaching the next generation of dental professionals, but also in developing the next generation of faculty. As the dental school’s leader, she said she plans to continue the school’s focus on being a national exemplar in oral health education, research and community engagement with continued emphasis on community-centered care and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
“To achieve our goals, we must take a relationship-driven approach to engaging the broader university community and external stakeholders,” she said. “Our success is tied to partnerships across campus, within Louisville, throughout Kentucky and beyond.”
