Tammie Vargo, DHA, is new chair of dental hygiene

Tammie Vargo, who holds a doctorate in Health Administration, has joined the UNMC College of Dentistry as the chair of the UNMC Department of Dental Hygiene.

Dr. Vargo, who began her new role on July 1, was chair and program director of the dental hygiene program at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry from 2013 to 2018, after joining the faculty in 2001. In addition to her DHA, she holds a master’s degree in education, a bachelor of science degree and is a registered dental hygienist. She has earned numerous teaching awards during her career.

“Dr. Vargo brings a strong record of leadership, teaching excellence and professional service to this role,” said UNMC College of Dentistry Dean Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, on making the announcement. “She is widely respected for her expertise in student-centered mentoring, health care administration, research and interprofessional education.”

Dr. Vargo expressed her excitement about becoming part of the UNMC team.

“I have a background in interprofessional education and collaboration, and my goal is to help facilitate positive relationships across diverse stakeholders, within the college and beyond,” she said. “I know there is a robust movement here toward outreach and learner-centered success, and I am committed to making a meaningful contribution to this transformative effort.”

She pointed to the college’s outreach to veterans as an example.

“Being the wife of a retired member of the military, it’s critical that we are out in the community, for many different communities,” she said. “The moment that I visited with various stakeholders and stepped foot on this campus, it has felt like home, it has felt right. There is much opportunity for maximizing the human impact, as well as creating a thriving workforce for the state.”

Dr. Vargo said that in her 25-year career, she had watched as dental hygienists gradually became more important voices in interprofessional dental and oral health teams, and she was pleased to see that as a priority at the UNMC College of Dentistry.

“That interaction has absolutely grown over time,” she said. “Historically, that has not always been in place – there has been a lot of siloed behavior. But currently, and here at UNMC, you see all of us learning how to collaborate and come together to provide comprehensive care.

“The foundation is building and sustaining the right culture, with trust and leadership empowering the gifts of every team member, creating a culture where people can flourish and working across departments, programs and colleges.”

She added that she had “a love for providing exceptional patient care and teaching others.”

“Internally and externally, we have to work in an intentional way but to support not only their success as students, but also be there when they leave.”

Dr. Vargo also has served in several national leadership roles, including as a member of the National Board Dental Hygiene Test Construction Committee.

Dr. Kugel thanked Jeffrey Payne, DDS, and the search committee and expressed his gratitude to Julie Marshall, DDS, who served as interim chair of the department for the past 11 months.

“Her leadership, dedication and steady guidance during this transition have been outstanding,” Dr. Kugel said. “I am grateful for her service.”