Adriana Modesto Gomes Da Silva DDS, MS, PhD, DMD
As a unique Latin woman serving as Professor and Inaugural Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice at Pitt Dental Medicine, Dr. Modesto Gomes Da Silva has a strong commitment to supporting and advancing the culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural humility in the academic environment.
She is also passionate about cultivating a diverse dental workforce to meet the needs of underrepresented minority communities, reducing inequities and disparities in oral health care and improving inclusive bias-free recruitment of trainees and faculty.
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In her 25 years of experience in leadership, teaching, and research in academia, she has come to see dental education has an essential role in cultivating a dental workforce to meet the needs of underserved communities.
While chair of the Pitt Dental Medicine Department of Pediatric Dentistry and through her service on the University of Pittsburgh Senate Equity, Inclusion and Anti-discrimination Advocacy Committee as well as other Diversity Committees and Task Forces, she has contributed with an innovative vision and a deep knowledge of critical issues such as anti-bias and inclusivity.
Her understanding of the cultural challenges faced by underrepresented minorities, in addition to her continuous involvement with the mentoring of trainees, faculty and staff, provides her with competence to use her training, skills and current position to ensure excellence and increase equity and diversity at Pitt Dental Medicine. Dr. Modesto Gomes Da Silva strongly supports individuals, departments, groups and programs in identifying and implementing evidence-based inclusive practices and interventions which lead to equitable outcomes.
She participates as a member of the Health Sciences Diversity Deans Committee and the Inclusion Network and links Pitt Dental Medicine programing and efforts to those of the Office of Health Sciences Diversity and the University’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
