The Organizers

The PROH network is governed by a steering committee. It is comprised of private practitioners, OHSU School of Dentistry faculty and staff, and other OHSU faculty. The members of the steering committee are:

Private Practitioners

Sean Benson, DDS, Baker City, Oregon
Mark Driver, DMD, Roseburg, Oregon
Mark Jensen, DMD, Bend, Oregon
Walt Manning, DMD, Albany, Oregon
George McCully, DMD, Eugene, Oregon
John Shurtz, DDS, Salem, Oregon

OHSU Faculty

Lyle J. Fagnan, Director of Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network
Cynthia Morris, Director of Oregon Human Investigations Program

OHSU School of Dentistry Faculty and Staff

Thomas J. Hilton is the Director of PROH. He received his D.M.D. in 1978, two-year A.E.G.D. certificate in 1984, board certification from the American Board of General Dentistry in 1992, and M.S. degree in Biomaterials and Biomechanics in 2003.   He spent 21 years in the U. S. Air Force, and joined the OHSU faculty in 1999.   He currently holds the position of Alumni Centennial Professor in Operative Dentistry and maintains a part time private dental practice. His research interests include laboratory and clinical evaluation regarding restorative dental materials and techniques.

Jack L. Ferracane received his M.S. degree in 1981 and his Ph.D. in 1983, both in biomaterials from Northwestern University. After teaching for five years at Baylor College of Dentistry, Ferracane arrived at OHSU in 1989. He is the chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and the division director of the Department of Biomaterials and Biomechanics. His research interests include studies on the structure, function and clinical performance of dental restorative materials.

Cindy G. Barnes is the Program Manager for PROH. She received her R.D.H. in 1979 and an M.B.A. in 1989, both from the University of Colorado. Her dental experience is in general and periodontal practices, a Veteran's Administration Hospital, and as a clinical instructor at Colorado Northwestern Community College. She comes to OHSU after spending four years in development work in Central Europe with the Peace Corps and Junior Achievement International.