Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
2015
Bio:
Dr. John Molinari began his career at the University of Detroit in 1977 as Chairman and Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology. In 1982 Molinari earned the rank of full Professor. From 1978 to 1989 he served as Chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry and Director of Infection Control. In 1989 this department was renamed the Department of Biomedical Sciences. From 1998 to 2001 he served as Assistant Dean, Department of Basic Clinical Sciences, for University of Detroit Mercy’s College of Health Professions. Dr. Molinari earned a B.A. in Biology from St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA and a Ph.D in Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Simultaneous to Dr. Molinari’s work at the university, he served as a microbiology consultant and Microbiology/Immunology Consultant in a number of area hospitals including Detroit General, Veterans Administration, Sinai, Henry Ford, and Detroit Receiving Hospital, and St. John and Riverview Hospitals Association.
Dr. Molinari was a leader in the transformation of dentistry from the standpoint of asepsis and infection control. Most of his career centered around the surgical asepsis standards for dentistry that evolved shortly after the onset of the AIDS crisis in dentistry in the early 1980’s. As noted in a nomination support letter, “Dr. Molinari’s expertise is clearly evidenced by his numerous appointments of various consultant positions and recognitions such as the Michigan Department of Public Health Award in 1993, the Pierre Fauchard Academy Distinguished Service Citation in 1993, and the Academy of General Dentistry Albert J. Borish Award in 2005. Dr. Molinari also served as a thesis advisor to numerous graduate students and led the Sterilization and Monitoring Service which provided private practitioners certification for their in-office sterilization equipment.” Dr. Molinari co-authored the text Cottone’s Practical Infection Control in Dentistry.
Current Dean of the UDM School of Dentistry, Mert Aksu, in his nomination letter spoke to Dr. Molinari’s “holistic concern for students’ academic success and personal growth as clearly evident by the frequency of student awards for his teaching and for his selection as 1) Honorary Alumnus in 1984, 2) induction to the Dental Hygiene honor society, Sigma Phi Alpha in 1987, and 3) induction to the dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon in 1980. Since joining the University, Dr. Molinari has been recognized with teaching awards in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991, 2007, and 2009.”
Dr. Molinari has authored or co-authored over 450 scientific journal articles, text chapters, and abstracts in the areas of microbiology and immunology. His contributions in quality and quantity while on the faculty added significant value to the profession during a time when clinical asepsis was on the forefront of many national discussions. He demonstrates an unwavering commitment to improving the profession’s performance in areas of infection control and asepsis. He provided a level of surgical asepsis and comfort that allowed students to confidently meet the needs of immunocompromised and HIV infected patients.
Also noted in a nomination letter “With regard to scholarship, Dr. Molinari clearly made consistent and noteworthy contributions to the profession of dentistry. His contributions are evidenced not only by the extensive list of publications and peer-reviewed scientific presentations, but also by the recognitions he has received as an honorary member of the Michigan Dental Association, the Detroit District Dental Society, the American College of Dentists, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the international College of Dentists. He was the Infection Control section editor for The Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, a member of the Editorial Board for The Journal of the American Dental Association, and contributed a monthly column for Dental Economics.
Dr. John Molinari’s nomination’s was approved and conferred by Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi, President of University of Detroit Mercy on August 17, 2015.