Dean

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Dentistry

Department:

Office of the Dean

Classification:

Admin

• BA, West Virginia University, 1982
• DDS, West Virginia University, 1985
• MSHS, The George Washington University, 1994
• MABe, Loyola University Chicago, 2021

Journal

Pachuta SM, Meiers JC. Dentin surface treatments and glass ionomer microleakage. Am J Dent. 1995; 8(4):187-190.

Video

Meet the Dean with April Kaull and WVU Today. 

Military Personal Awards

Distinguished Service Medal (Navy)
Legion of Merit (four awards)
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (six awards)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards)
Warfare Designations: Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer and Fleet Marine Force Warfare Qualified Officer

Non-Military Honors and Recognitions

2015 WVU School of Dentistry - Distinguished Alumni Award 
2011 American Hospital Association – Federal Health Care Executive Award for Excellence 
1994 Naval Dental School: Seminar of Restorative Dentistry’s Award for Excellence

West Virginia University School of Dentistry
1985 WVU Alumni Award for Outstanding Clinical Competency and Professionalism
1985 Quintessence Award for Restorative Dentistry
1985 Dentsply International Award for Removable Prosthodontics
​1985 Certificate of Merit for Excellence Oral Medicine

Executive Healthcare Experience
2016-2017 Director, Health Services, Headquarters, Marine Corps and Medical Officer to the Marine Corps
2013- 2016 Chief, Navy Dental Corps
2013-2016 Director, Medical Resources, Plans and Policy
2012-2013 Executive Assistant and Senior Policy Advisor to the Surgeon General of the Navy
2010-2012 Commanding Officer, United States Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan
2008-2010 Executive Officer, United States Naval Hospital Okinawa Japan
2008 Officer in Charge, Detainee Hospital, Guantanamo Bay Cuba
2006-2008 Officer in Charge, Branch Health Clinic, Mayport Florida
2004-2006 Commanding Officer, 3d Dental Battalion and U.S. Naval Dental Center Okinawa
2002-2004 Executive Officer, 2d Dental Battalion and Naval Dental Center Camp Lejeune

Academic Experiences
2000-2002 Chairman, Military Dentistry and Chairman, General Dentistry
1992-1994 Resident, Comprehensive Dentistry Naval Dental School, Bethesda, Maryland
 

Dr. Pachuta has served as dean at West Virginia University School of Dentistry since June 2021.  He is an experienced health care executive with a significant background leading large diverse health care organizations. His professional skills include a proven ability to align and motivate large health care organizations with a strong record of success leading in the national and international health care communities. His focus areas of experience include: executive leadership, organizational leadership, strategic leadership and health care operations. His executive healthcare assignments included: Director for Health Services, Headquarters, Marine Corps and Medical Officer to the United States Marine Corps – the first non-physician to serve in this position; Director for Medical Resources Plans and Policy; and Chief of the Navy Dental Corps. He served as the Executive Assistant and Senior Policy Advisor to the 37th Surgeon General of the Navy. Dr. Pachuta has served as the commanding officer (CEO responsibilities) of the Naval Hospital in Yokosuka Japan; executive officer (COO responsibilities) of the Naval hospital in Okinawa Japan; and commanding officer of 3d Dental Battalion/US Naval Dental Center Okinawa Japan. He retired as a Rear Admiral in November 2017 following 32 years of service. Dr. Pachuta is a recipient of the American Hospital Association, Federal Health Care Executive, Award for Excellence for 2011.  He served on the Board of Regents of the American College of Dentists from 2017-2022.

Dr. Pachuta is a 1985 graduate of WVU School of Dentistry. He holds a residency certificate in Comprehensive Dentistry from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, a Master of Science degree in Health Sciences from The George Washington University, and a Master of Arts degree Bioethics and Health Policy from the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Healthcare Leadership at Loyola University–Chicago. He is Board Certified by the American Board of General Dentistry. 

Organizations and Affiliations
American College of Dentists, Fellow
American College of Dentists, Board Member, Board of Regents Board tenure: 2018-2022
International College of Dentists, Fellow
American Dental Association, Member
American Dental Association, Delegate / Federal Services Liaison to the House of Delegates 2013-2016
Academy of Operative Dentistry, Member
Academy of General Dentistry, Member
American College of Healthcare Executives, Member (Retired)
Naval Dental School, Seminar of Restorative Dentistry 1991-1994
Naval Dental School, Seminar of Restorative Dentistry, Secretary 1993-1994
Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Seminar of Restorative Dentistry 2000-2002