Lou CortinaAbout Ramsay Koury, DMD
Koury is a clinical assistant professor and director of the Division of General Practice in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD). He has dedicated his career to expanding access to oral health care and fostering a culture of service among future health care professionals. Since 2016, Koury has organized UMSOD’s participation in Mission of Mercy programs across Maryland. At these events, the school’s practitioners and students working under faculty supervision provide underserved and uninsured Maryland residents with free oral health care services, including extractions, restorative treatment, and diagnostic radiographs. On the academic side, Koury’s abilities as a professor have been recognized by UMSOD with the Frank J. Sinnreich Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2016 and 2023. Koury earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, then spent 24 years in private dentistry in the Harrisburg, Pa., area. He served as a volunteer instructor of operative dentistry with the UMSOD Dean’s Faculty and joined the school full time in 2013.
Impact
Working alongside organizations such as United Way, Catholic Charities, the Universities at Shady Grove, and community partners, Koury has helped expand access to oral health care for Maryland residents facing significant barriers to treatment. Through these efforts, nearly 4,000 patients have received essential oral health care services, including extractions, restorative treatment, and diagnostic radiographs. Under his leadership, underserved and uninsured Marylanders have received care that alleviates pain, restores function, and improves quality of life. He devotes countless hours to recruiting volunteers, mentoring students, and ensuring that patients receive compassionate, high-quality care. His commitment extends beyond his professional responsibilities, including occasional personal financial contributions to support the program’s mission.
Quotes
“Mentorship of students is very important to me, perhaps even more important than the educational part of my job. I want students to really think about their place in our society, how they can really help patients, improving their lives and their sense of self-worth. Volunteer events are the perfect way to do that.”
— Koury
“Dr. Koury’s sustained commitment to improving the lives of Maryland residents exemplifies the highest ideals of public service and advances UMB’s mission to improve the human condition through education, clinical care, and service. His dedication reflects a deeply held belief that access to oral health care is fundamental to overall health and every individual deserves quality care regardless of their circumstances.”
— Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, interim provost and executive vice president, UMB, and former dean, UMSOD
“Dr. Koury was patient and generous with his time and humble in a way that made you forget how much he knew. When I made mistakes, he corrected them with encouragement and the right questions so that I understood the problem rather than just feeling bad about it. … There are dentists all over the country who are better clinicians and better people because of him, and I am grateful to be one of them.”
— Teebok Choe, DDS, MS, periodontist and former UMSOD student
