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In Memoriam of Dr. Joseph IngraoOnce behind the doors at theUHC, a similar sentiment wasechoed through the halls fromthe UDM faculty and staff regarding alate colleague. The man was a “peopleperson,clinic cheerleader, a true Sicilian,and a Rodney Dangerfield fan.” Themissed colleague they were describingwas Dr. Joseph Ingrao.Dr. Ingrao (’57) was an AffiliateAssociate Professor in the Departmentof Patient Management at the Schoolof Dentistry. Known for his infectioussmile and pleasant temperament,Dr. Ingrao practiced in St. Clair Shoresfor 40 years before joining the Schoolin 2000.Dr. Ingrao always madetime for the students,joked with the students,and made everyonearound him feelcomfortable and at ease.Often selected by his students to be the“Faculty Hooder” at commencement,Dr. Ingrao made it a point to seek-outthe students who may have struggledwith a procedure or needed the extrabit of encouragement. Dr. DianeHoelsher, Chair of the Departmentof Patient Management noted that,“Dr. Ingrao always made time for thestudents, joked with the students, andmade everyone around him feelcomfortable and at ease.”The same theme was true in regards tohis interactions with the faculty andstaff. “From the front desk to thecollections office in the very backhallway of the clinic, Dr. Ingraoconnected and checked in witheveryone. He would go out of his wayto make sure everyone was doing ok,”said Dr. Melanie Mayberry.Recently while planning a graduationget-together, it was suggested thatthe event take place at Roma’s Café,a favorite of the late dentist’s. “Wewanted to feel like he was a part of thecelebration,” said Dr. Mayberry. Whatwas originally a small after workouting turned into an opportunity topay homage to Dr. Ingrao’scontributions to the School. His labcoat was turned into a UDM relic, asstudents, faculty and staff signed thegarment. Index cards were passedaround the clinic, while everyone wasasked to write down a word thatdescribed him best. Both the notes andthe lab coat were presented to theevening’s guest of honor, his wife Patricia.Upon leaving the clinic, you had a sensethat although not physically inattendance, his presence was still felton the floor. As a memento from hisclosest friends, a photo hangs by the“instructor’s bench” with the latedoctor’s warm and welcoming smile.The photo serves as a simple reminderthat Dr. Ingrao is still watching over hiscolleagues.In closing, Dr. Steven Faller summedit up with, “Dr. Ingrao was one of themost caring, genuine people I have hadthe good fortune to work with atUniversity of Detroit Mercy Schoolof Dentistry.”This photo of Dr. Ingrao proudly hangs overthe “instructor’s bench,” topDr. Ingrao “hooding” a graduating dentalstudent, bottomWWW.DENTAL.UDMERCY.EDU 29