Thank You, Dr. Park

As he enters retirement, UCLA Dentistry’s longest-serving dean cherishes the relationships more than his many achievements.

Portrait of UCLA Dentistry Dean Emeritus No-Hee Park faculty member in office with bookshelves, representing academic leadership and dental research expertise.
By School of Dentistry Communications
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This story appears in the UCLA School of Dentistry's 2026 magazine
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When No-Hee Park, D.M.D., Ph.D., reflects on more than four decades at the UCLA School of Dentistry, he doesn’t begin with accolades – he speaks about people: students, colleagues, and a community that transformed a regional dental school into a globally recognized leader in oral health.

“Whatever I have accomplished was made possible by the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors,” he said.

That spirit of shared purpose defines Dr. Park’s extraordinary legacy.

Arriving in Westwood in 1984, Dr. Park would go on to become the second-longest-serving dean of any UCLA academic unit and the first Korean-American appointed dean at a major U.S. university.

Over his 18-year tenure from 1998 to 2016, he led a period of remarkable growth and reinvention, elevating the school’s standing in education, research, patient care, and community engagement.

When he assumed leadership, the school faced limited infrastructure, modest research funding, and frequent turnover in the dean’s office. By the end of his tenure, annual research support had increased more than eightfold, 11 endowed chairs had been established, and student scholarships had expanded dramatically, opening doors for future generations of Bruins.

“Whatever I have accomplished was made possible by the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors.”

But numbers alone cannot capture Dr. Park’s impact.

A renowned molecular oncology researcher, he has authored more than 200 publications and helped illuminate how viruses and environmental factors contribute to oral head and neck cancer; work that has influenced research and treatment worldwide. His curiosity, he notes, has guided him since his earliest days in science.

Equally enduring is Dr. Park’s commitment to mentorship. Over his career, he has trained more than 100 students, residents, and fellows, many of whom now lead academic and research institutions around the world.

Archival photo of young No-Hee Park reviewing notes at a desk, illustrating early career dental practice and academic training.

That dedication reshaped the educational experience at UCLA. Under his leadership, the curriculum evolved to emphasize interdisciplinary thinking, early clinical exposure, and patient-centered care. Such innovations continue to define the school today.

Dr. Park’s journey to Westwood began in war-torn South Korea and continued through degrees from Seoul National University, the Medical College of Georgia, and Harvard University, where he then served on faculty.

That global perspective later informed his leadership, fostering collaborations across Asia and Europe and expanding the school’s international reach.

Even in retirement – effective January 2026 – Dr. Park remains deeply connected to UCLA, continuing his research and mentorship.

“My heart is filled with gratitude,” he said. “I am deeply thankful for my colleagues and friends at UCLA who have enriched my life for so many years. Although I am stepping down from my academic roles, UCLA will forever be my home.”

“I am especially grateful to the many students and trainees who placed their trust in me,” he said. “Their passion and accomplishments remain my most cherished legacy.”