Oral Health Foundation names new chairman

(DALLAS) — Dr. Robert V. Walker was elected chairman of the Baylor Oral Health Foundation Board of Directors at its recent annual meeting.

Dr. Walker replaces George W. Bramblett Jr., who completed a three-year term as chairman. Richard M. Hart, who retired from the board after nine years, also was recognized for his dedicated service to the BOHF.

“We are grateful for George Bramblett’s very capable leadership and his many significant contributions to the Foundation and will greatly miss the unwavering support of Richard Hart,” said Robert Bigham Jr., BOHF president. “Dr. Walker brings his own leadership style and charisma to the role and will continue the fine work he has done for the Foundation for many years.”

Dr. Walker was originally elected to the BOHF Board of Directors in 1997. He retired from the board in 2006 and during his nine-year tenure served as vice chairman of the board, as well as chairman of the nominating committee.

An oral surgeon and graduate of the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, Dr. Walker became chairman of the oral surgery division at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1956, led the division for 28 years, taught 13 more years and was named professor emeritus in 1997. He is a member of the HSC-BCD Hall of Fame and served as co-chairman of the HSC-BCD Centennial Celebration Steering Committee.

In 2002, Dr. Walker was presented a lifetime achievement award by the Dallas County Dental Society and received the Texas Dental Association Gold Medal for Distinguished Service a year later. Throughout his career, he has led several local and international dental specialty organizations and received numerous accolades for his service and contributions to the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Bramblett, a trial attorney with Haynes & Boone, L.L.P., will continue to serve the foundation as a board member. He is a former chairman of the HSC-BCD Board of Trustees and was elected to the HSC-BCD Hall of Fame in 2003.

Hart, a retired banking executive with Bank One, Texas, also is a former chairman of the HSC-BCD Board of Trustees and elected to the HSC-BCD Hall of Fame in 1991. His years of HSC-BCD service span three decades.

The Baylor Oral Health Foundation is an independent, non-profit corporation created in 1993 and chartered by the state of Texas to benefit the HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry. The BOHF mission is to provide the HSC-BCD with funds and support to sustain institutional preeminence through excellence in students, faculty, research and outreach. It does this by managing and raising private dollars for internationally-recognized faculty, leading-edge research, academic programs and scholarships.