Gary C. Armitage, DDS, MS

Dr. Gary C. Armitage is the R. Earl Robinson Distinguished Professor of Periodontology at University of California San Francisco. He received his DDS in 1966, a Certificate in Periodontology in 1971, and an MS in Oral Biology in 1973, all from UCSF. Dr. Armitage has been a Clinical Associate at the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) in Bethesda, Maryland, a Visiting Research Scientist at the University of Michigan, and Visiting Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He has been President of the Periodontal Research Group of the International Association for Dental Research and has served as chair of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.

Dr. Armitage’s research interests are focused on the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of periodontal diseases. He has published over 90 papers and chapters and has given presentations to many research groups and periodontal societies throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He has been awarded the coveted “Distinction in Teaching Award” by the Academic Senate of the University of California. Dr. Armitage is a Fellow of the American Academy of Periodontology, American College of Dentists, Academy of Dentistry International, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and is an Honorary Professor of the West China College of Stomatology (Sichuan University) and Peking University School of Stomatology. In 2000 he received the Gold Medal Award of the American Academy of Periodontology for his contributions to the field of periodontics.

Michael Rethman, DDS, MS

Dr. Michael P. Rethman is a patient-centered board certified periodontist, scientist and dental industry consultant. He is motivated to help industry advance both prevention and better approaches to treating the periodontal diseases.

From 1995 to 2005 he served in numerous capacities for the American Academy of Periodontology, including as its President (2003-04). In 2006, Rethman was appointed to the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs. From 2007-2010 he served as the Council’s Chair. He chaired a number of national panels of subject-matter experts who published widely cited systematic reviews and guidelines on a number of topics including oral cancer screening, anti-dental-caries adjuncts and antibiotic pre-medication of dental patients with orthopedic implants. Rethman continues to serve as a reviewer for the Journal of the American Dental Association, Compendium of Continuing Education, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, the Journal of Periodontology, Dentistry Today and other journals. He has also lectured domestically and internationally on several topics.

Oksana M. Komarnyckyj, JD, MBA

Oksana Komarnyckyj is an investment banker, corporate advisor and attorney with over 15 years experience guiding businesses through start-up, growth, and turn-around. Ms. Komarnyckyj has extensive corporate board experience having served on multiple board committees at Delta Dental of Arizona and Ascent Benefits Company of Colorado over a span of more than ten years.  She is also the corporate advisor to Dental Implants and Periodontology of Arizona and was the COO of OraLogic, a personal-care startup. Ms. Komarnyckyj obtained her Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, her Master of Business Administration from the University of  New Orleans and her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College at Columbia University and holds Series 63 and 79 Investment Banking licenses.

Ms. Komarnyckyj is a former associate with the international law firm Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher. While at Gibson, she focused on corporate law and gained experience in mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs.  She served as the Director of the Minority and Women-Owned Business Mentorship Program for New York City. Upon obtaining her MBA, she became the Assistant Director for Special Projects for the University of New Orleans Center for Economic Development, where she co-founded the award-winning Greater New Orleans Venture Capital Club.

Ms. Komarnyckyj has also participated in the international business arena. She has held advisory positions abroad where she also lectured at numerous enterprises and educational institutions on western business practices. She has conducted business training courses for senior and middle management in the manufacturing and banking industries.