Dentistry Faculty Emeriti
The School of Dentistry takes pride in our retired colleagues who have been promoted to emeritus status.
Frank J. Ayers, DDS
Associate Professor Emeritus
- BS, College of Santa Fe, 1965
- DDS, Creighton University, 1969
Carole V. Brenneise, DDS, MS
Associate Professor Emerita
Carole V. Brenneise, DDS, M.S. has dental licenses in both California (1975) and Nebraska (1976). She served as an associate professor in the Department of Diagnosis and Radiology from 1982 to 2004. Dr. Brenneise was granted associate professor emerita status in 2004.
- DDS, Loma Linda University, 1975
- Master of Science, Oral Pathology, University of Iowa, 1982
- Specialty Certificate, Oral Pathology University of Iowa, 1982
- Fellow: American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Jerold J. Buresh, DDS
Professor Emeritus
Jerold J. Buresh, BS’59, DDS, spent several decades with the Creighton University School of Dentistry. He was in the Department of Oral Biology part-time from 1963 to 1965. Then, through 1983, he served in the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology. He later spent 2000 to 2013 in the Department of General Dentistry and worked from 2013 to 2016 in the School in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences. Upon retirement he was granted professor emeritus status.
- BS, Creighton University, 1959
- DDS, Creighton University, 1963
Ralph R. Herrman, DDS
Associate Professor Emeritus
Stephen J. Hess, M.S., DDS
Associate Professor Emeritus
Dr. Stephen Hess is an emeritus associate professor of diagnostic sciences, promoted in 2015. Now retired from the School of Dentistry, he is also U.S. Army retired.
- BS, Creighton University, 1969
- MS, Creighton University, 1971
- DDS, Creighton University, 1978
- Oral Pathology Residency Program certificate, University of Iowa, 1992
Dennis Ray Higginbotham, DDS
Associate Professor Emeritus of General Dentistry
After completing his education, Dennis R. Higginbotham, DDS, entered the U.S. Army in September of 1967. Six months after entering the service, he took over the Oral Surgery component of the Dental Clinic at Hunter and performed all crown and bridge work there for several years.
In 1969, Dr. Higginbotham returned to Council Bluffs and reentered a dental practice with his brother, Bob. They practiced together until Bob’s death in 1988. Bob’s son, Brad, had also joined the practice after his graduation in 1982.
Dr. Higginbotham began working at Creighton University in 1973. He worked one to one day and a half per week until he joined the School of faculty in 1984. He put in 25 hours a week at Creighton while working an additional 35 hours per week in his private practice. In 1993, he began working full time at Creighton.
The following year, he was named Director of Clinics, a position he then held until 1999. Dr. Higginbotham then became a member of the Department of General Dentistry, where he teaches today.
- Creighton University, 1963
- DDS, Creighton University School of Dentistry, 1967
James H. Howard, DDS, MS
Associate Professor Emeritus of General Dentistry
James H. Howard, DDS, M.S., has been senior associate dean for clinical and external affairs since 2014. Prior to this, he was the associate dean for clinical services and director of clinics for 15 years. He is the inaugural holder of the Dr. Edward J. “Eddie” and Neta DeRose Endowed Chair in Dentistry.
A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Dr. Howard joined the Creighton faculty in 1995 following career service in the United States Air Force Dental Corps. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists. He is also a Diplomate of the Federal Services Board of General Dentistry.
Active in organized dentistry, he is a past president of the Air Force Chapter of the Academy of General Dentistry, and has served on numerous councils and committees in the Academy. He has also been a professional reviewer for several dental publications. An entertaining and informative speaker, he has lectured internationally in the areas of forensic dentistry, infection control, and the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
- BS, Biology, Wheeling Jesuit University, 1969
- DDS, University of Maryland, 1973
- MS, Restorative Dentistry (Operative), University of Michigan, 1977
Gene R. Huebner, DDS, MS, MS
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Gene R. Huebner spent many years in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Creighton School of Dentistry, including a 19-year term as chair of the department. He was granted professor emeritus status in 2005.
- DDS, University of Nebraska, 1965
- MS in Dentistry, University of Minnesota, 1971
- MS in Health Services Administration, University of St. Francis, 1997
Kenneth I. Knowles, DDS
Associate Professor Emeritus
Dr. Kenneth I. Knowles is an associate professor emeritus of endodontics. He was chair of the Department of Endodontics from 2000-2006 and promoted to emeritus in 2011.
Born in Boise and raised in McCall, Idaho, Dr. Knowles attended the College of Idaho for his pre-dental requirements and was accepted at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for his dental education and graduated D.D.S., in 1966. He entered the USAF and 5 years later returned to UMKC to complete an Endodontic residency earning a M.S. in 1973. Following a 25 year career in the USAF, he retired in 1989 at the rank of full colonel and accepted an appointment to the faculty of Creighton University School of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics.
- In the year 2000, as an Associate Professor, he was appointed Chairman of the Department of Endodontics. He would continue as Chairman until his retirement in 2006.
- As a researcher, he published over 17 articles and abstracts in major referenced journals.
- Dr. Knowles was a proficient lecturer, presenting professional presentations in the United States, Canada, England, Europe and India. He also initiated Creighton CE courses on Cruise Ships in 2004.
- He was a member of the ADA, the American Association of Endodontics, OKU, the Nebraska Dental Association and a Fellow of the American College of Dentists.
- In 2004 he was recognized as recipient of the prestigious Stephen H. Leeper Award for Excellence in Teaching from the OKU National Dental Society. (National Award for Dentistry Teacher of the Year).
- DDS, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1966
- MS, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1973
Marvin O. Ludlow, DDS
Associate Professor Emeritus
Dr. Marvin O. Ludlow is an associate professor emeritus of endodontics. He served in the department for more than 20 years, much of it as the chair of the department, from 1979-2000. After his retirement, he was promoted to associate professor emeritus in 2013.
- DDS, University of Missouri, 1969
- MS, University of Nebraska, 1974
Dennis Elof Nilsson, DDS, M.S., FACP, FACD
Professor Emeritus of Prosthodontics
Dennis Nilsson, DDS, is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel. Dr. Nilsson served as the chair of the department of prosthodontics for nine years. He has lectured throughout the midwest and northeast, as well as in several European countries. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, and his research interests include geriatrics and treatment for sleep apnea. He has been married since 1969 to his wife Dee. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and spending time visiting his grandchildren.
- BS, DDS (1971),University of Minnesota
- MS, the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
- Prosthodontics certificate, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, 1977
John W. Shaner, DMD, MS
Associate Professor Emeritus
Dr. Shaner joined the faculty at Creighton University in 1999 following a career in the USAF Dental Corps, retiring as a colonel. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, he completed a two-year residency in general dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, earning a M.S. in biomedical science.
He has lectured nationally and internationally on preventive dentistry, TMD, orofacial pain and oral medicine. A Fellow of the International College of Dentists, he is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of Operative Dentistry, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and President of the Southwestern Society of Oral Medicine.
In 2016, he was promoted to associate professor emeritus.
- BS, Chemistry, Grove City College, 1969
- DMD., University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, 1973
- MS, Biomedical Science, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, 1978
Paul E. Tamisiea, DDS, MA
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Paul Tamisiea was an administrator and professor at Creighton’s School of Dentistry for 50 years. After retiring, he was promoted to professor emeritus in 2010.
- DDS, Creighton University, 1958
- MA, University of Iowa, 1974
Gary H. Westerman, DDS, MS
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Gary Westerman was promoted to emeritus status in 2016 after several decades in the Creighton University School of Dentistry. During his tenure, he was chair of the department and also held several endowed professorships.
- BS, Gonzaga University, 1966
- DDS, Creighton University, 1969
- MS, University of Iowa, 1973
Charles William Wilcox, DDS, MS
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Charles Wilcox, DDS, MS, FAGD, FACP, FACD. Dr. Wilcox is a professor in the Prosthodontics Department. He has been with Creighton University since 1995. Dr. Wilcox is a member of numerous University committees. He is a member of the ADA, NDA, ODDS, ABP, ACP, OKU, and AO. Dr. Wilcox served in the United States Air Force prior to joining the Creighton faculty.
