Clinical Assistant Professor
The IU Indianapolis Faculty Council wishes to take a moment of silence and pause in reflection at the loss of our colleague in Dentistry, Dr. Michael Sovanich, who passed August 29, 2024. Clinical assistant professor, clinic director, and founding director of the IU School of Dentistry Emergency Clinic, Dr. Sovanich is remembered by his colleagues, students, and patients as friend, mentor, and model clinician.
A graduate of Elston High School in Michigan City, Purdue University with a BS in Biology, graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry and Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Sovanich was our colleague for almost 40 years.
“Dr. Sovanich was a master clinician, a caring teacher and mentor, and a wonderful role model for all of us in the dental profession,” said Dean Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch. “He was a passionate advocate for the underserved, and reminded us every day of the purpose of our profession and the privilege we possess as healers. This was probably best exemplified by his tireless dedication to the Student Outreach Clinic, and the meaningful experiences it provides to our students. We must honor his legacy by ensuring this program continues for many years to come.”
His impact is measured not just in the work he did through the School of Dentistry but also his numerous community and national commitments as Faculty Volunteer and Teacher for “Give Kids a Smile” Faculty Volunteer and Teacher for “Special Olympics” Faculty Volunteer and Leader for the Global Service Learning Site on the Lakota Rosebud Reservation in St. Frances, SD; and Faculty Advisor and Volunteer for the Student Outreach Clinic near east Indianapolis and Crawfordsville, IN;
Perhaps his impact on us is best represented in the words of former students:
- “Upon my first interaction with him, I immediately recognized somebody I wanted to model myself as a clinician. His unwavering dedication to the students he taught and the patients he cared for will forever guide the way I practice dentistry each and every day.”
- “Not only was he an incredible dentist, leader, clinic director, and one of the greatest teachers we were all so lucky to have had the pleasure of learning from, he was an incredible human being and soul. He truly cared about everyone. And he cared deeply. Not only for his students, his patients, his family and friends, but also for nature and humanity at large.”
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Robin, daughters Sarah and Jennifer, and granddaughter, Ramona for sharing Michael with us. His collegiality, love of community, and his support for IU Indianapolis will be sorely missed, as will his future contributions to the School of Dentistry to which he was so dedicated.
THUS, BE IT RESOLVED: that this memorial resolution be adopted by the Faculty Council of Indiana University Indianapolis and also be placed in the minutes of Faculty Council with a moment of silence observed in his honor; and that a copy of this memorial resolution be delivered to his family.
Read and placed into the record at the IU Indianapolis Faculty Council meeting on October 1, 2024.