Academic Leadership

Amy B. Martin, DrPH, MSPH, is a professor and senior associate dean for the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Additionally, Dr. Martin serves the college as chair for the Department of Biomedical and Community Health Sciences and director of the Center for Rural Oral Health Research and Community Engagement in Marion, SC. She also serves as the lead for the Community Engaged Research Module, for the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program.

Dr. Martin's health services research foci include addressing access to care and oral health issues for rural communities and the health systems that serve them. Dr. Martin received her Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health (DrPH), Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She is active in national public-private partnerships that address rural and oral health priorities.

Tariq Javed, D.M.D., D.D.S., is the associate dean for Academic & Student Affairs and professor for the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from Punjab University, his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) from MUSC, his Master of Science in Periodontics from University of Minnesota, and Master of Science in Dentistry with a focus in preventive dentistry and periodontics from Indiana University.

Dr. Javed has been at MUSC since 1977. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology (ABP) and has served in national leadership roles, including commissioner for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and as a member of the American Dental Association’s Council on Dental Education and Licensure.

His academic career reflects a commitment to curriculum development, student mentorship, and advancing dental education through research.

Dr. Joseph Gambacorta received his D.D.S. in 1993 from the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Dental Medicine. He is a 2022 graduate of the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions where he received his Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Community Health and Behavior. He also completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from UB in 1989 and a General Practice Residency at Millard Fillmore Hospital in 1994.

Dr. Gambacorta is a professor in the Division of Restorative Services within the Department of Reconstructive & Rehabilitation Sciences and serves as associate dean for Clinical Affairs in the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He joined MUSC from UB, where he served in multiple leadership roles.

Since 2006, he has led interprofessional outreach missions to several international and domestic destinations. He was also the faculty advisor for Buffalo Outreach and Community Assistance (BOCA), a public health organization that unifies students and professionals to promote dental education and deliver care to those in need. Dr. Gambacorta is a native of Buffalo, New York.

John Ballentine, MBA, is assistant dean for Finance & Administration of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He has more than 14 years of experience in academic finance and strategic operations. Before joining MUSC, he served as executive director for Academic Finance at Prisma Health, overseeing budgets for education, research, and strategic partnerships.

Ballentine serves as a board member of the Association for Hospital Medical Education (AHME) and speaks nationally on academic finance and workforce development. Known for his collaborative leadership, he is committed to mentoring and building systems that support educational excellence and sustainability.

James A. Loe, D.M.D., is an assistant professor in the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 1985. Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Loe joined the United States Air Force (USAF) and attended a general practice residency program at the David Grant Medical Center on Travis Air Force Base in California.

Dr. Loe served in the USAF as a general dentist and held a number of duty positions at various worldwide assignments. After 30 years of service, he retired and joined MUSC in 2015 where he is now actively serving as interim chair of the Department of Reconstructive & Rehabilitation Sciences.