Dr. Wendy Mouradian, Professor Emerita of Pediatric Dentistry in the School of Dentistry, who was also appointed in the Schools of Medicine and Public Health, passed away last week.
Dr. Mouradian’s legacy within the School of Dentistry is profound and enduring. She served as the founding director of the Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) Program and was a driving force behind its creation, modeling it after her formative experience training in rural clinics through the UW WWAMI medical program. Dr. Mouradian also provided strong leadership as Associate Dean for Regional and Academic Affairs.
Even after her retirement, she remained deeply committed to the program, serving as a strategic advisor during its recent and successful expansion. Since its inception in 2008, the RIDE Program has achieved an extraordinary milestone—placing over 80% of its dental graduates in rural and underserved communities. This represents an unprecedented success rate in the United States and likely worldwide.
Dr. Mouradian was also a dedicated mentor to many early and mid-career faculty. As Frank Roberts, Associate Dean and current Director of the RIDE Program, reflected, “Wendy was an exceptional mentor who helped me navigate both the complexities of the university system and the challenges of oral health advocacy at the local, state and federal levels. She was a remarkable force of nature and will be deeply missed. She elevated the School to the national stage in oral health workforce development and positioned us for successful programming for the 21st century.”
During her career, Dr. Mouradian was an advocate for children’s oral health and the importance of oral health training for medical providers, serving as Special Advisor on Oral Health to the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) on the integration of oral health into primary care and Project Co-Director of the Surgeon General’s Workshop and Conference on Children’s Oral Health for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH).
Upon hearing of Dr. Mouradian’s passing, UWSOD Dean Emeritus and former director of NIDCR/NIH and Lab Chief of NIAMS/NIH Martha Somerman wrote, “As I write this brief note, I am shaking with grief, and yet, a smile as images flash by remembering the wonderful times I spent with Wendy – her huge commitment and dedication to total health for all communities, with many successes owed to Wendy’s efforts, to her love for her family. Wendy was my hero. Her talents were expansive, from her clinical knowledge to her gift for writing, to her insightful way of navigating difficult situations.”
Her research areas included oral health workforce issues, ethics and policy issues in the provision of oral health care to children, quality of life for children with craniofacial conditions, and interprofessional collaboration for optimal patient outcomes.
“Although I didn’t have the opportunity to work directly with Dr. Mouradian since arriving at the UW, her leadership and inspiration were palpable on many fronts,” said UWSOD Dean André Ritter. “Her passion for dental education and access to care is sustained in programs she initiated, and her absence from the School has not diminished her influence. She will be sorely missed.”
Dr. Mouradian graduated from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed her internship, residency, and fellowship in developmental pediatrics at the University of Washington, along with a certificate in Health Care Ethics. Notably, her father, Henry H. Mouradian D.D.S. of Ticonderoga, NY, was a general dentist and practiced until he was 80 years old. In May 2025, Dr. Mouradian received the 2025 Dean’s Club Honorary Lifetime Award from the University of Washington School of Dentistry.