Remembering Dr. Judith Ross
As colleagues, students, and friends we remember Dr. Judith Ross, DMD, MS who passed away on June 30, 2023.
Dr. Ross began working at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry in 1986. She diligently taught many students in her capacity as Associate Professor. Her commitment to the success of her students in Operative Dentistry has led many to long successful careers.
She holds many academic honors, including:
- UT Health Science Award Employee Service Award, 2016
- College of Dentistry Clinical Faculty Enrichment Award, 2015
- College of Dentistry Clinical Sciences Faculty Award, 2007
- Kirby and Pat Walker Endowment Fund for Outstanding Teaching, 2005
- Bowyer Clinical Sciences Faculty Enrichment Award, 2005
- Student Appreciation Award, 1988
A fund has been established to honor her commitment to student success. Please consider contributing to the fund in remembrance of Dr. Ross.
Contribute to the Ross-Baxter Scholarship EndowmentA Tribute to Dr. Judie Ross by her friend and colleague J.S. Covington
For those unfamiliar with Judie, she was an absolute force of nature until illness took over her body. She had a laugh that would rattle the windows and was loved by all who knew her.
A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, she was with us twice as a General Dentistry faculty member. In between stints with us, she was a contract dentist on Johnston Island in the Pacific Ocean - known mainly as the most remote island on the face of the earth.
One of her stories begins with: "Johnston Island...1000 Seabees and me." Should you want me to re-tell some of the stories of her time there, it will cost you a beer. She did meet her late husband, Casey, there and they enjoyed a long, happy, love-filled marriage.
Clinically, she was absolutely superb in taking poorly performing clinical students under her wing. She deployed an especially useful personality combination of Mother Teresa and a Marine Corps drill sergeant.
Many, many students graduated on time because of her efforts, but she never went to graduation because she cried. She was a rare jewel.
