Francis G. Serio, DMD, PERIO '86, MBA

‌‌This award honors an alum for significant professional accomplishments in science, dentistry, or education. In its second year, the award recognizes Francis G. Serio, DMD, PERIO '86, MBA, for exceptional achievements in and international contributions to the oral health field.‌

A full-time staff dentist for Greene County Healthcare, Inc. in Snow Hill, Nc., Serio is founder and former co-director of the Dominican Dental Mission Project. During a span of 37 years, the project provided more than $18 million in services to 62,500 of the underserved in rural Dominican Republic. In 1991, the project received The President’s Volunteer Action Award from President George H.W. Bush and in 2001, the Daily Points of Light Award from President George W. Bush. In 2015, Serio received the ADA Humanitarian Award.

Serio completed a bachelor’s degree at The Johns Hopkins University and received his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his General Practice Residency Certificate from Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, a master’s and certificate in Periodontics at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) and his MBA from Millsaps College. He was inducted into the Academy of Dentistry International in 1999, the International College of Dentists in 2003, and the American College of Dentists in 2004.

Serio served as the interim vice dean and associate dean for Clinical Affairs and was a tenured professor at the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. He held tenured faculty and administrative positions at the UMSOD and the University of Mississippi. He has presented more than 170 lectures and continuing education courses in the United States and around the world.