Dr. Thomas Skiba Joins Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty At University of Illinois

Dr. Thomas Skiba Joins Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty At University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry

His son is a rock star, and he hopes to rock in his new teaching role at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

Dr. Thomas Skiba has joined the faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS).

He noted that he had been interested in teaching “for some time,” and Dr. Michael Miloro, Head of OMFS, gave him an opportunity to come on board two days per week in April. After retiring from private practice in July, Dr. Skiba increased his workload to four days per week. Three of those are spent in the Undergraduate Oral Surgery Clinic, and the fourth is spent with the OMFS residents in the department’s Postgraduate Clinic.

“I am additionally course director of oral surgery course #334-medicine for the undergraduate students, and I have responsibilities giving six seminars on various topics to the OMFS residents during the year,” he said, noting he also participated in the undergraduate ethics course small group discussions headed by Dr. Anne Koerber, Director of Behavioral Science, during the summer.

“I hope to use my 32 years of practice experience and my six-year experience on the Illinois Board of Dentistry to assist the students and residents in their education,” Dr. Skiba said. “I also want to learn to be the best academic I can be.

“This is a whole new challenge for me and one that I find very rewarding. I want my students and residents to experience those important ‘a-ha’ moments as much as possible,” he said.

Dr. Skiba earned his DDS in 1968 and his MS in OMFS in 1977, both from the College. When not working, he enjoys bicycling, downhill and cross-country skiing, performing volunteer service, and spending time with his wife, Joan, a career educator who retired in June and now substitute teaches at her old primary school.

The couple has three grown children.

“Our son Matt is a rock star,” Dr. Skiba said. “He is the lead singer of the band Alkaline Trio and lives in Los Angeles. We have twin daughters, too. Lynsay is a human rights attorney in Berkeley, CA, working on her PhD in history at the University of California-Berkeley. Courtney is a fashion merchandiser/event/producer/stylist with her own company in Los Angeles.”

In reflecting on joining the College faculty, Dr. Skiba said, “I’m very pleased that I have the opportunity to do something very meaningful and important with the rest of my life by joining the UIC College of Dentistry team. My new job is very challenging and rewarding. I’m very thankful for all of the ongoing assistance and mentoring by the faculty and staff.”