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Dental School Alumni Return the Love
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Tom and Claire Marcel with their children, Noah and Katie
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As president of the UCSF dental class of 1989, Tom Marcel often sparred with a classmate who had opposing opinions. Fortunately, the two not only resolved their differences, they got married.
Now Tom and Claire Ogata Marcel have given $10,000 to the School of Dentistry, which brought them both love and rewarding careers. Their donation—which caps years of giving to various School campaigns—will help complete the training facility where first- and second-year dental students receive preclinical instruction.
After Tom and Claire earned their DDS degrees, they received postgraduate certification in orthodontics in 1991 from UCSF's prestigious specialty program. Claire arrived at UCSF after earning a master's degree in human physiology, while Tom's path began at age nine, when his dentist-neighbor let him tag along on emergency office visits.
"He turned traumatic situations, like breaking a tooth from a bike accident, into positive ones," recalls Tom. "I thought that was cool."
At UCSF, Tom served as student body president and volunteered for renowned temporomandibular specialist Charles McNeill, DDS. "I learned chair-side mannerisms from Dr. McNeill," notes Tom. "He was a master at relieving the fears of frustrated, angry patients."
Tom also volunteered in the orthodontic clinic, where the fast pace and intriguing cases sparked his interest in that specialty. Claire decided to pursue orthodontia as well, and their friendship blossomed into romance during the post-doc program. They married in 1993.
During her studies, Claire journeyed to Nepal with a team to teach dentists and surgeons how to treat cleft palates. "She went above and beyond what the program required," says UCSF Professor Karin Vargervik, DDS, then chair of the orthodontic division. "Claire and Tom were very committed students, and they continue to contribute to the School and the field in many ways."
"They are both jewels," adds School of Dentistry Emeritus Dean John Greene, DMD, MPH. "I respected and valued Tom's advice as a student leader, and it's been a joy to watch them develop over the years."
After graduating, Tom purchased a practice in Livermore and Claire launched one in Tracy. "I'm passionate about every aspect of my profession—the science, artistry, patient care, management, marketing," he says. "I get up every day excited to go to work."
Claire sold her practice three years ago and now devotes her time to their two children, Noah, 8, and Katie, 6, as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Tracy. She also recently served as president of the UCSF Orthodontic Alumni Foundation.
"We look back and ask, 'Where did all this come from?'" says Tom. "The answer is UCSF, and we are incredibly appreciative."
To support the preclinical lab modernization campaign at the UCSF School of Dentistry, contact Richard McKenzie at 415/476-3645 or rmckenzie@support.ucsf.edu.
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