Name: Valmont Desa, DDS, MD, FACS (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons)
Medical school attended: UNMC
Location of your residency/fellowship training: UNMC
What residency/fellowship program at UNMC are you serving as program director for: Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Number of trainees: 13
How long have you been the program director: Since 2009
What made you chose to become the program director:
I have been involved in academics throughout my career and was honored when asked to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Leon Davis (who is credited with building our program). Mentoring and training residents is the most rewarding aspect of my job.
What challenges do you foresee in graduate medical education in the future:
The educational debt continues to increase and will become a barrier for individuals who don’t have the resources.
What are the strengths of your training program:
Our wide scope of procedures – we get referred all the complex oral and maxillofacial cases from Nebraska and the surrounding areas. In addition, we have a diverse and strong resident complement.
List some accomplishments that you are proud of:
Being appointed the Dr. Leon F. Davis Endowed Chair in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and serving as an examiner on the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Tell us three things about you that others may not know:
- I used to play bass guitar in a rock band.
- I still love playing soccer.
- I am married to my college sweetheart and have four kids.