Bernard Costello, dean of the School of Dental Medicine, has advised the senior vice chancellor of the Health Sciences of his decision to take a voluntary administrative leave for personal reasons. 

Marnie Oakley, senior associate dean for Clinical and Faculty Affairs and interim chair for the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, is serving as interim dean.

Costello, professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, was named dean of the school in April 2018. He succeeded Thomas W. Braun, who retired after having served as dean for 18 years. Costello also recently served in 2020 as chair of the search committee for a new dean of the Graduate School of Public Health.

Oakley graduated from the School of Dental Medicine in 1992 and received her bachelor’s degree at Pitt. She served a four-year tour as a dental officer in the U.S. Navy before returning to teach at Pitt in 1996.