Dentistry faculty member awarded Golden Apple

Thomas Skiba “inspires students to become proficient clinicians and provides guidance when necessary,” says class president Nisha Mehta.

By Bill Bike

Thomas Skiba, clinical assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, was awarded the Golden Apple Award teaching award by the College of Dentistry’s Class of 2014.

“The apple is awarded to a faculty member whom students felt went above and beyond to motivate students to learn and achieve their highest potential,” said class president Nisha Mehta.

“Dr. Skiba was chosen because he inspires students to become proficient clinicians and provides guidance when necessary.”

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Skiba has taught at UIC for the last five years after retiring from private practice.

He describes his position at UIC as his “encore career.”

“Being an educator involved with students who are motivated and passionate about their education is a wonderful challenge,” he said.

As director of pre-doctoral oral and maxillofacial surgery, he developed a new pre-doctoral clinic in oral and maxillofacial surgery and a new curriculum for patient evaluation and management.

“For a private practice surgeon to come to UIC after a career without any teaching experience, and be talented, dedicated and motivated enough to be honored with this award from the student body, is a testament to the type of individual that Dr. Skiba is,” said department head Michael Miloro.

“He strives to make each student competent in didactic coursework and patient care.”