After many years of dedicated service in clinical practice, education, and global mission work, Ronald Forde, DDS ’83, MSD ’10, retired from his position as Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry.
Dr. Forde’s path to dentistry was rather divergent. He first trained and worked as a Respiratory Technologist in Montreal, Canada, and then also earned a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. A desire for further education led him to Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama which resulted in a BS degree in Biology. It was there that an uncle suggested that he consider the field of Dentistry as a career. LLU School of Dentistry was his first choice among others and after matriculating there, he moved with his family to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) to establish a new dental clinic on the behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was there that his high school classes in French paid off, as he would spend the next six years communication with his patients in French. Following that period of service, he moved to work in Zimbabwe, where he spent another ten years providing dental care and engaging in church ministry.
In 1999, Dr. Forde returned to LLUSD to serve as director of Service Learning, where he mentored students and led mission trips around the world while also teaching several courses. His dedication to education continued as he pursued advanced training in Prosthodontics, earning his MSD degree in 2010.
Throughout his career, Dr. Forde viewed dentistry as a ministry. His legacy of compassion, faith, and service has left a lasting impact on patients, students, and colleagues alike. He believed, practiced and taught that "Service is the highest calling to which one can respond."
Congratulations, Dr. Forde, may your retirement be filled with happiness and fulfillment!