Dr. Henry A. Gremillion Memorial Symposium

Dr. Gremillion was a long-time faculty member at UFCD having joined the college in 1991 in the Department of Prosthodontics. He later served as on faculty in the Department of Orthodontics and was named director of the Parker E. Mahan Facial Pain Center in 1992. He became a full professor in 2005 was named the Parker E. Mahan Endowed Professor in Orofacial Pain in 2008.

Gremillion was a Louisiana native who graduated in 1977 from the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry and became a leader in oral health at the local, state, and national levels. His many honors include LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry Alumnus of Year in 2001, the highest alumnus award, and the UF College of Dentistry Teacher of the Year in 2002 and 2007. A beloved educator, the Florida Dental Association honored him as the Florida Dental Educator of the Year in 2002 and 2006. He received the Louisiana Academy of General Dentistry Career Service Award in 2003. He was selected as a 2007 Distinguished Professor by the University of Florida Blue Key Society.

In 2008, the American Academy of General Dentistry honored Gremillion with the prestigious Theodore V. Weclew Award for contributions to the education of general dentists. In 2009, the Dawson Academy honored him with its Career Service Award. In 2010, he received the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Service Award and in 2015, the Pierre Fauchard Gold Medal. He was a member of the American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Fraternity, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Pain Society, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Equilibration Society, American Association for Dental Research and International Association for Dental Research.

Description

This program provides a comprehensive review of the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of common headache disorders and facial pain conditions relevant to dental professionals. Participants will explore the underlying mechanisms that distinguish primary from secondary headaches, develop an understanding of trigeminal and other cranial neuralgias, and examine evidence-based treatment strategies for common primary headache disorders. Through case-based discussions, attendees will also learn to recognize a broad range of facial pain conditions, strengthen their diagnostic approach, and identify when referral or interdisciplinary collaboration is appropriate to support optimal patient care.

Objectives

• Differentiate between primary and secondary headache disorders based on underlying mechanisms, clinical presentation, and diagnostic features.
• Recognize the clinical characteristics of trigeminal neuralgia and other cranial neuralgias to support accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
• Discuss evidence-based treatment approaches for common primary headache disorders.
• Evaluate patients presenting with facial pain using a systematic, case-based diagnostic approach.
• Identify conditions requiring referral or interdisciplinary management to ensure appropriate patient care.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Maria Carmen B. Wilson

Dr. Maria Carmen B. Wilson is the Medical Director of the Headache and Facial Pain Program at Ochsner North Shore Region. A native of Spain, Dr. Wilson received her Medical Doctorate from the University of Cdiz, Spain, School of Medicine. She then completed her Internship at Sioux Valley Hospital, in South Dakota, followed by a residency in Neurology at the University of South Florida (USF). Dr. Wilson completed a Fellowship in Pain Medicine also at USF where she was hired as Faculty reaching the rank of full Professor. She holds double board certification, Neurology and Headache Medicine. She served at USF as Program Director of Neurology, and Headache Medicine Fellowship Director, as well as Medical Director of the Comprehensive Pain Center at Tampa General Hospital. After 27 years of service at USF she moved to Louisiana and joined Ochsner on January of 2016. She is currently Clinical Associate Professor at University of Queensland/Ochsner and serves as coordinator of the Neurology rotation in the North Shore. In addition to education and clinical services, she is involved in research and scholarly activities.

“I declare that neither I nor any member of my family has a financial arrangement or affiliation with any corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this continuing dental education program greater than $999, nor do I have a financial interest greater than $1,000 in any commercial product(s) I will discuss in the presentation.”

Dr. Olga Fermo

Dr. Olga Fermo is a neurologist specializing in Headache Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where she serves as Chair of the Headache Division and Medical Director of the Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics Clinic. She is also an Assistant Professor at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. Dr. Fermo earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Drew University and her Medical Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She went on to complete an Internal Medicine program at Yale, followed by a Neurology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She then completed fellowship training in Headache Medicine and Interventional Pain Medicine at the University of South Florida. Dr. Fermo specializes in the treatment of headache and facial pain disorders and has a particular interest and advanced training in the management of cerebrospinal fluid disorders, including idiopathic intracranial hypertension, spontaneous intracranial hypotension, Chiari malformation, and hydrocephalus.

“I declare that neither I nor any member of my family has a financial arrangement or affiliation with any corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this continuing dental education program greater than $999, nor do I have a financial interest greater than $1,000 in any commercial product(s) I will discuss in the presentation.”

Registration Information