2016 Student Recognition Award Winners
Lynda Asadourian
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Growing up in a Quaker school, equality and community service were values that early on were instilled in Lynda Asadourian. Taught to constantly help others and give back to the community, Ms. Asadourian utilized those values while serving as president of the pre-dental society at Lehigh University and, currently, as the president of the pediatric club at Columbia. She volunteers many times a month in the Washington Heights community, conducting interactive presentations at local elementary schools about the importance of oral health care. She hopes to have the ability to convert a child’s painful, scared facial expression when he or she comes to the dental office into a pain free and joyful smile when he or she completes treatment. Ms Asadourian is also interested in global health; she has participated in global health externships and hopes to organize a dental outreach to serve children in the remote and isolated villages of Armenia.
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Growing up in a Quaker school, equality and community service were values that early on were instilled in Lynda Asadourian. Taught to constantly help others and give back to the community, Ms. Asadourian utilized those values while serving as president of the pre-dental society at Lehigh University and, currently, as the president of the pediatric club at Columbia. She volunteers many times a month in the Washington Heights community, conducting interactive presentations at local elementary schools about the importance of oral health care. She hopes to have the ability to convert a child’s painful, scared facial expression when he or she comes to the dental office into a pain free and joyful smile when he or she completes treatment. Ms Asadourian is also interested in global health; she has participated in global health externships and hopes to organize a dental outreach to serve children in the remote and isolated villages of Armenia.
Lynda Asadourian (left) and Mary Awadallah (right) presented by Dr. Mark Bauman, NYSDF Board Member (center)
Mary Awadalla
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Ms. Awadalla arrived at Columbia by way of Yale University, from which we graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree, with Distinction, in Anthropology. While at Yale, she was involved with many community service initiatives including Women & Youth Supporting Each Other, a group that facilitated discussions with middle school girls at a New Haven high school, volunteered as a GED tutor and served on staff of a student run case-management agency for low income community members. Under the umbrella of Columbia’s Student Government Association, Ms. Awadalla has single handedly founded a mentorship program for seventh and eighth graders. She serves as Dental Education and Outreach Coordinator with Columbia’s Hispanic Dental Student Association and is particularly committed to improving and enhancing the dental knowledge and status of young women.
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Ms. Awadalla arrived at Columbia by way of Yale University, from which we graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree, with Distinction, in Anthropology. While at Yale, she was involved with many community service initiatives including Women & Youth Supporting Each Other, a group that facilitated discussions with middle school girls at a New Haven high school, volunteered as a GED tutor and served on staff of a student run case-management agency for low income community members. Under the umbrella of Columbia’s Student Government Association, Ms. Awadalla has single handedly founded a mentorship program for seventh and eighth graders. She serves as Dental Education and Outreach Coordinator with Columbia’s Hispanic Dental Student Association and is particularly committed to improving and enhancing the dental knowledge and status of young women.
Dr. Pakshan Ghaderi
Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Upon finishing dental school at Tehran, Iran, Dr. Ghaderi began practicing as a general practitioner for underserved populations in a rural area, which gave her an understanding about the need for more advanced care and increased patient education. In 2002, she completed a prosthodontic postgraduate program at Shaheed Beheshti University, ranking first in Iran’s national board exams. In 2013, she was accepted in the AEGD program at Eastman, where she’s found her calling in providing dental care to people with disabilities (at the Developmentally Disabled Clinic at Monroe Community Hospital) and in researching ways to improve care and treatment to geriatric populations .
Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Upon finishing dental school at Tehran, Iran, Dr. Ghaderi began practicing as a general practitioner for underserved populations in a rural area, which gave her an understanding about the need for more advanced care and increased patient education. In 2002, she completed a prosthodontic postgraduate program at Shaheed Beheshti University, ranking first in Iran’s national board exams. In 2013, she was accepted in the AEGD program at Eastman, where she’s found her calling in providing dental care to people with disabilities (at the Developmentally Disabled Clinic at Monroe Community Hospital) and in researching ways to improve care and treatment to geriatric populations .
Dr. Adela Planerova
Eastman Institute for Oral Health
During her first year in Eastman’s GPR program, Dr. Planerova became a co-researcher in a pilot study about the use of dental care and preventive dental service among adult patients in a community dental clinic, the purpose of which was to estimate the use of dental care and utilization of preventive dental care in community dental clinic settings by evaluation of completed or discontinued treatment plans and recall exams. During that same time, she started a Master of Science program in Medical Management at the University of Rochester Simon Business School to advance the skills she feels are essential to better organize and create new public health dentistry. She has spent much time volunteering in schools in low socio-economic and underserved areas of Rochester and has also participated in a preventative dentistry educational project in primary schools across the Czech Republic.
Eastman Institute for Oral Health
During her first year in Eastman’s GPR program, Dr. Planerova became a co-researcher in a pilot study about the use of dental care and preventive dental service among adult patients in a community dental clinic, the purpose of which was to estimate the use of dental care and utilization of preventive dental care in community dental clinic settings by evaluation of completed or discontinued treatment plans and recall exams. During that same time, she started a Master of Science program in Medical Management at the University of Rochester Simon Business School to advance the skills she feels are essential to better organize and create new public health dentistry. She has spent much time volunteering in schools in low socio-economic and underserved areas of Rochester and has also participated in a preventative dentistry educational project in primary schools across the Czech Republic.
Dr. Mark S. Wolff and Heather Camhi
Heather Camhi
New York University College of Dentistry
Ms. Camhi participated in a global outreach trip to Kathmandu, Nepal, where she joined a team of 38 other students and faculty members in providing care to 1,500 adults and children in acute need of dental treatment. She believes that social responsibility is inherent to a well-rounded dental education. Entering dental school with a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology, she understands her role as a change agent in public health and continuously seeks ways to increase her scope of practice and knowledge through a determined spirit of volunteerism.
New York University College of Dentistry
Ms. Camhi participated in a global outreach trip to Kathmandu, Nepal, where she joined a team of 38 other students and faculty members in providing care to 1,500 adults and children in acute need of dental treatment. She believes that social responsibility is inherent to a well-rounded dental education. Entering dental school with a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology, she understands her role as a change agent in public health and continuously seeks ways to increase her scope of practice and knowledge through a determined spirit of volunteerism.
Dr. Mark S. Wolff and Nabil Khan
Nabil Khan
New York University College of Dentistry
Mr. Khan’s penchant for volunteerism through community outreach and leadership helped to afford him the opportunity to participate in the College of Dentistry’s Henry Schein Cares Global Student Outreach Program to Granada, Nicaragua, during which time he impressed his mentors not just which his skills and eagerness to learn, but with his desire to understand dentistry’s capacity to aid those in need. Coming from a career in engineering, Mr. Khan has a unique capacity for problem-solving and viewing issues from myriad angles. He has undertaken countless volunteer and outreach efforts within the school and its surrounding community, including innovative events such as screenings and oral health education at a citywide Fit for All 5K foot race.
New York University College of Dentistry
Mr. Khan’s penchant for volunteerism through community outreach and leadership helped to afford him the opportunity to participate in the College of Dentistry’s Henry Schein Cares Global Student Outreach Program to Granada, Nicaragua, during which time he impressed his mentors not just which his skills and eagerness to learn, but with his desire to understand dentistry’s capacity to aid those in need. Coming from a career in engineering, Mr. Khan has a unique capacity for problem-solving and viewing issues from myriad angles. He has undertaken countless volunteer and outreach efforts within the school and its surrounding community, including innovative events such as screenings and oral health education at a citywide Fit for All 5K foot race.
Amrita Batheja
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Batheja has assumed leadership roles amongst numerous organizations with the School of Dental Medicine, using her public health training to target the undeserved in site selection for community outreach projects. She was instrumental in the design and evaluation of the school’s Dentistry Smiles on Vets initiative, a community program in which dentists provided free care to local veterans. She has served as Outreach Coordinator for ASDA, in which capacity she coordinated student volunteers for after-hours outreach – often more than 15 events per month. With other members of the Public Health Club, she also lead the school’s first oral cancer screening event.
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Batheja has assumed leadership roles amongst numerous organizations with the School of Dental Medicine, using her public health training to target the undeserved in site selection for community outreach projects. She was instrumental in the design and evaluation of the school’s Dentistry Smiles on Vets initiative, a community program in which dentists provided free care to local veterans. She has served as Outreach Coordinator for ASDA, in which capacity she coordinated student volunteers for after-hours outreach – often more than 15 events per month. With other members of the Public Health Club, she also lead the school’s first oral cancer screening event.
Arielle Faden
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Faden is somebody whose advisors and professors praise for her strong work ethic, drive, passion and determination, all of which have positively impacted the patients she treats and those work with her. She has held many positions of authority within ASDA and the student council, all the time displaying excellence in leadership and the ability to be a team player. Prior to entering dental school, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, and a Minor in Psychology. She has participated in numerous volunteer activities, including Dentistry Smiles of Veterans Day, Special Olympics, Give Kids a Smile Day, MEDlife Dental and Medical Brigade (Ecuador), and Remote Area Medical (RAM) in Harrogate, TN.
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Faden is somebody whose advisors and professors praise for her strong work ethic, drive, passion and determination, all of which have positively impacted the patients she treats and those work with her. She has held many positions of authority within ASDA and the student council, all the time displaying excellence in leadership and the ability to be a team player. Prior to entering dental school, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, and a Minor in Psychology. She has participated in numerous volunteer activities, including Dentistry Smiles of Veterans Day, Special Olympics, Give Kids a Smile Day, MEDlife Dental and Medical Brigade (Ecuador), and Remote Area Medical (RAM) in Harrogate, TN.
Sarah Khan
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Khan’s service to programs directly of benefit to the underserved has been accomplished in parallel to her extensive service in other student organizations that benefit Stony Brook pre-dental students as well as applicants to the School of Dental Medicine, activities in ASDA, participation in several research projects, externships, public meetings and publications. During her junior year, she participated in the Chile oral health outreach project. Ms. Khan has served in leadership positions such as Outreach Chair, Public Health Dentistry Chair and Vice Chair for Geriatric Interest Club.
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Khan’s service to programs directly of benefit to the underserved has been accomplished in parallel to her extensive service in other student organizations that benefit Stony Brook pre-dental students as well as applicants to the School of Dental Medicine, activities in ASDA, participation in several research projects, externships, public meetings and publications. During her junior year, she participated in the Chile oral health outreach project. Ms. Khan has served in leadership positions such as Outreach Chair, Public Health Dentistry Chair and Vice Chair for Geriatric Interest Club.
Susie Ko
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
As part of volunteer outreach mission to Madagascar to treat impoverished, often malnourished people, Ms. Ko extracted countless decayed teeth, restored those which were salvageable, managed infections and removed oral lesions, all the while proving herself a quiet leader of the team. Also during this mission, she collected research data regarding the oral health of the natives as part of an ongoing project intending to find out if the oral health of this area is improving because of the treatment and instruction provided by those involved with the mission. She volunteers in organized local outreaches to nursing homes and the Long Island Veterans Home. Prior to entering dental school, she earned a BA in Applied Mathematics from Columbia University and an MS in Biology from New York University.
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
As part of volunteer outreach mission to Madagascar to treat impoverished, often malnourished people, Ms. Ko extracted countless decayed teeth, restored those which were salvageable, managed infections and removed oral lesions, all the while proving herself a quiet leader of the team. Also during this mission, she collected research data regarding the oral health of the natives as part of an ongoing project intending to find out if the oral health of this area is improving because of the treatment and instruction provided by those involved with the mission. She volunteers in organized local outreaches to nursing homes and the Long Island Veterans Home. Prior to entering dental school, she earned a BA in Applied Mathematics from Columbia University and an MS in Biology from New York University.
2015 Student Recognition Award Winners
For more information on each of this year’s Student Recognition Recipients, check out the April issue of the New York State Dental Journal
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University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine - Steven Kolenda A veteran of numerous dental outreaches, including in the Dominican Republic, Senegal, Tennessee and Buffalo, Steven Kolenda attributes his early interest in a health related career to watching M*A*S*H and admiring the skills and ethics of protagonist Hawkeye Pierce. He is particularly interested in working with others to develop a workable model to provide continuity of care and improve access to care in rural areas. |
Steven Kolenda
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Anne Adamson
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine - Anne Adamson
Anne Adamson single handedly used her connection in Dakar, Senegal to organize a mission trip sponsored by the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Her passion for treating patients in need is matched by superior organizational skill and a passio for the profession.
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Columbia University College of Dental Medicine - Brianne Donahue
Growing up, Brianne Donahue was one of the few children who loved going to the dentist. In fact, her desire to become a dentist was fostered in large part to her positive orthodontic experience. When her first patient, initially anxious and scared, gave Donahue a hug upon completion of treatment, she realized how her role extended far beyond just dental treatment. |
Brianne Donahue
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Chelsea Townes
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine - Chelsea Townes
When Chelsea Townes was assigned a writing seminar in freshman year of college, she began journey which lead to her career in health. The assignment, called “Healing Narratives,” forced her to think about the importance of one’s health and quality of life, and highlighted treating patients’ minds, bodies and spirits. Townes believes that the doctor-patient is essential to positive impacts on healthcare.
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Eastman Institute for Oral Health - Dr. Ximena Velasquez-Pierce
After establishing a private practice in Columbia, Dr. Velasquez-Pierce joined a group of dental and medical volunteers who went deep into the jungle to provide health care for indigenous populations. The experience of relieving the pain of people who often could only be reached via boat on the Amazon River or helicopter, she made it a goal to return to such expeditions and to bring her experiences to the United States to share with her fellow dentists and patients. |
Dr. Velasquez-Pierce
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Dr. Inaba
Eastman Institute for Oral Health - Dr. Caroline Inaba
Dr. Inaba believes that community service and volunteer work are essential aspects of a successful dental career. “By treating patients who are socially disadvantaged, physically disabled and/or mentally challenged,” she explains, “I am able to experience true satisfaction from my field.” Always motivated by community service, Dr. Inaba has consistently demonstrated to her mentors an enviable work ethic, clinical skill, and demonstrated competency in implant dentistry, both restorative and surgical, as well as general dentistry.
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New York University College of Dentistry - Sheryl Lee Sheryl Lee’s experience shadowing dentists at Chongqing Dental Hospital in China allowed her the opportunity to wax up teeth and create partial removable dentures, which provided her with a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that precision and dexterity can have a positive impact on somebody’s quality of life. As an executive board member of Operation Smile, Lee also has helped send dentists abroad to perform cleft palate surgeries on underprivileged children and has worked directly with the faciocranial department of St. Peter’s Hospital, where she witnessed first-hand the tremendous positive impact children have when their dental needs are treated. |
Sheryl Lee
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Christie Serigano
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine - Christie Serigano
“Access to care is not a single sided issue,” explains Christie Serigano. “It has multiple dimensions.” Serigano concedes that location is not the only factor to the access issue, but it may be the deciding one. She believes strongly in participating in local health fairs, spreading awareness of the most prevalent dental diseases, and promoting oral health and how to properly care for ourselves toward making a major difference in people’s lives. Serigano is currently in the application cycle and interviewing for general practice residency programs.
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Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine - Jessica Zucker Jessica Zucker has been involved in multiple student organizations and held several leadership positions throughout dental school. Leading the inaugural Discover Dental School Scholars program last summer gave Zucker an opportunity to work alongside faculty members and work closely with a number of student committees to create a pre-dental experience with the latest dental technology for undergraduate students who wish to pursue a career in dentistry. During this time, she was able to help implement a program that was a huge success and has since increased in size to a greater number of students from diverse backgrounds. |
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Foundation bestows its 2014 Student Recognition Awards
The Board of Trustees of the New York State Dental Foundation unanimously approved this year’s slate of nominees for the 2014 Student Recognition Awards, which are given to two third year students at the state’s dental schools, and to two residents at the Eastman Institute of Oral Health. The Student Recognition Award underscores the Foundation’s mission to improve the oral health of all New Yorkers; in addition to displaying excellence in academics, recipients must demonstrate a proven commitment to providing community service to vulnerable and at risk populations.
“Every year, it is heartening to see such an array of talented and compassionate people who will be the leaders of our profession,” states Foundation Chair, Dr. G. Kirk Gleason.
This year’s winners are as follows:
“Every year, it is heartening to see such an array of talented and compassionate people who will be the leaders of our profession,” states Foundation Chair, Dr. G. Kirk Gleason.
This year’s winners are as follows:
Thomas LaGree
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Thomas J. LaGree – As co-founder, and Outreach Coordinator, of the UB Pediatric Dental Club, Thomas J. LaGree has organized and participated in events at local hospitals and clinics to provide dental services to needy children. At an outreach in Puerto Piata, Dominican Republic, Thomas noticed the gloomy atmosphere in the pediatric section, which was adjacent to the oral surgery. He realized how difficult it must be for a child to trust a stranger from another country who only spoke a few words in his or her language, so he hooked up his iPod to small speakers. Soon, the sounds of reggae music changed the mood of the pediatric section, and proved infection to more children who were not less nervous about receiving treatment. “I know that improving access to underserved and culturally diverse populations has to be a coordinated event,” wrote Thomas in his application, “involving practitioners, schools, and community leaders.”
Thomas J. LaGree – As co-founder, and Outreach Coordinator, of the UB Pediatric Dental Club, Thomas J. LaGree has organized and participated in events at local hospitals and clinics to provide dental services to needy children. At an outreach in Puerto Piata, Dominican Republic, Thomas noticed the gloomy atmosphere in the pediatric section, which was adjacent to the oral surgery. He realized how difficult it must be for a child to trust a stranger from another country who only spoke a few words in his or her language, so he hooked up his iPod to small speakers. Soon, the sounds of reggae music changed the mood of the pediatric section, and proved infection to more children who were not less nervous about receiving treatment. “I know that improving access to underserved and culturally diverse populations has to be a coordinated event,” wrote Thomas in his application, “involving practitioners, schools, and community leaders.”
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John MacPhee Willis – John’s experiences as a basketball and soccer coach after college influenced his drive to pursue excellence, which is why, upon entering dental school, he immediately got involved in leadership roles such as serving as Judicial Council Representative, ASDA Outreach Chair, ASDA Legislative Liaison, and PEDO Club Outreach Co-Coordinator. John’s father is a pediatric dentist and his mother a nurse, two profession he notes which are focused on love and care for those in need. Having participated in many outreach and clinic experiences in downtown Buffalo, as well as in other states and countries, John is committed of combining professional excellence with active community involvement. “I hope I can educate families outside my office,” says Willis, “by being involved in community events and organizations, organized dentistry at the state and national level, and I have even considered coaching again where I can incorporate my love for sports dentistry by protecting the teeth of our athletes.”
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John Willis with Dr. Brendan Dowd
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Columbia College of Dental Medicine
Catharine Alger – Katie Alger is, according to her advisors, particularly gifted in the area of psychological aspects of patient care. She has done much volunteer work reaching out to underserved populations that include anxious adults and adults with Down’s Syndrome. Currently, she is involved in research that aims to add components to Columbia’s dental curriculum that teach students to treat such patients using non-pharmacological techniques. In addition, she volunteers at a 4-day camp designed to teach adults with Down’s Syndrome independent life skills, including proper brushing and flossing and the importance of a healthy diet. Katie owes her professional choice to her mother and Xanax – her mother had to take anti-anxiety medication before the extraction of a molar and asked her daughter to drive her to the appointment. As the effects of the Xanax hadn’t yet taken effect, Katie’s mother asked her to sit with her during the procedure. The dentist agreed, and as Katie notes, “the events of the next two hours changed the direction of my life…I noticed [the dentist’s] ability to dispel my mother’s anxiety and keep her distracted. My interest was piques and I began to ask the dentist questions, everything from the origin of my mother’s pathology to her treatment plan and his reasons for joining the profession. I realized that dentistry offered the perfection intersection of my passions for art, science, service to others, and working with my hands.”
Catharine Alger – Katie Alger is, according to her advisors, particularly gifted in the area of psychological aspects of patient care. She has done much volunteer work reaching out to underserved populations that include anxious adults and adults with Down’s Syndrome. Currently, she is involved in research that aims to add components to Columbia’s dental curriculum that teach students to treat such patients using non-pharmacological techniques. In addition, she volunteers at a 4-day camp designed to teach adults with Down’s Syndrome independent life skills, including proper brushing and flossing and the importance of a healthy diet. Katie owes her professional choice to her mother and Xanax – her mother had to take anti-anxiety medication before the extraction of a molar and asked her daughter to drive her to the appointment. As the effects of the Xanax hadn’t yet taken effect, Katie’s mother asked her to sit with her during the procedure. The dentist agreed, and as Katie notes, “the events of the next two hours changed the direction of my life…I noticed [the dentist’s] ability to dispel my mother’s anxiety and keep her distracted. My interest was piques and I began to ask the dentist questions, everything from the origin of my mother’s pathology to her treatment plan and his reasons for joining the profession. I realized that dentistry offered the perfection intersection of my passions for art, science, service to others, and working with my hands.”
Ashley Houle – In girlhood, Ashley Houle was an artist, often found with a sketchpad and writing utensil in hand. Later she developed skill in sculpting and woodcarving. But she also has an intrense third for scientific knowledge, discovery and its application to the lives of human beings. The need to use science to help others initially drew her to nursing, until she began to realize that her two passions did not live in isolation, but harmoniously in dentistry. Two of Ashley’s biggest focuses in her volunteer work is dealing with the dental phobic and those with special needs. In fact, she helped initiate a new organization at Columbia University called the Special Needs Adults & Children’s Club, through which, as Secretary and Vice President, she coordinated student visits to Helen Hayes Hospital for assisting and learning about the treatment of individuals with special needs. Ashley intends to apply for a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and will continue to strive to meet the needs of communities with a lack of access to the kind of care which she can provide.
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Eastman Institute of Oral Health
Prachi R. Hanwatkar, BDS, MPH – Going to dental school challenged and stimulated Prachi Hanwatkar. After graduating, she worked as a clinical assistant at the Government Hospital in Mumbai, India, which regularly treated patients from all walks of life. Later, joining the Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry at YMT’s Dental College provided her insight on a number of global oral health initiatives. Coming to America, she earned her MPH at the University of Rochester and has, in June, graduated from Eastman’s AEGD program. Colleagues and advisers refer to her intellectual capability as well as her pleasant, warm, and energetic personality, not to mention outstanding research work she has done, notably “Key Challenges for Individually Tailored Mentoring for Improving the Learning Outcomes in a Large Residency Programs.” She volunteers at the Monroe Community Hospital Developmentally Disabled Clinic, and homeless shelters at the Blue Cross Arena and at the Women’s Health Fair in Rochester. Dr. Hanwatkar states, “I aspire to make the world a better place and help the underserved populations, and the voiceless, and ensure them access to life-saving resources including oral care.” |
Prachi Hanwatkar
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Dr. Vineela Redla – Dr. Redla understands and effective cares for adult patients with special needs at the Monroe Community Hospital, and conducts interviews with parents and caregivers to obtain information necessary to make proper diagnoses. Having been raised among doctors, she understands the passion to help others and feels it is a responsibility which meshes well with her choice of education and career. Her special interest is in the medical compromised, and mentally or physically challenged populations, for whom dental care is often unmet. She is driven by excellence and has a strong interest in neurodevelopmental and behavioral pediatrics, which led her to the fellowship program in “Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Related Disorders” at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Tyra Cross
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New York University College of Dentistry
Tyra Cross – After four years of working in a research lab, Tyra cross realized that a career solely comprised of “bench top research” wasn’t for her. She spent a year exploring other careers, including genetic counseling, hospital administration and hostage negotiations, until she hit upon dentistry. She soon realized, through interviews with other dentists and mentoring opportunities, that dentistry embodied many of the aspects she values in a career, allowing her to do fine detailed work, hone her leadership skills, and develop ongoing relationships with patients in a recurring capacity. Tyra is involved with Kindness n Action, a not-for-profit organization which provides oral care to impoverished communities. One possibility for Tyra going forward is applying to a GPR program through the University of British Columbia in Canada. One of the locations for this GPR is on the island of Haida Gwaii of the northern coast of B.C. While remote, the site provides a unique opportunity to treat a large number of children with developmental delays and behavioral issues. Tyra’s advisors are well assured that whatever she ends up pursuing in dentistry, she will do with hard work, high skill, and excellence. |
Roshni Dhruva – At a recent Global Outreach Trip to Grenada, Roshni Dhruva stood out among her peers as a skilled, charismatic and passionate student. Roshni’s outreach efforts include her service on the NYUCD Pediatric Dental Club and providing dental education to children in public schools. During her time at NYUCD, she has taken steps to gain exposure in every field of dentistry, particularly liking those experienced which combine perfecting technique with providing comprehensive dental care to the community. She plans to focus her career on treatment children, the elderly and patients with special needs. “By applying my scientific knowledge with sympathy and compassion,” says Dhurva, “I hope to become a valuable member of a profession to which I truly aspire.”
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Stony Brook
Vincent Badali – Vincent Badali received his Bachelor of Business degree, with concentrations in marketing and management, from the State Univrsity of New York college of Brockport in 2000, after which he began a career in sales and management. Wanting to enter a profession dedicated to patient care and one that allowed autonomy, he turned to dentistry. He has participated in an intensive two-week outreach to Chile along with several other outreaches such as Give Kids a Smile. Dedicated to immersing himself in learning environments, Vincent believes that being part of organized dentistry and a local community are vital aspects to professional excellence. He plans to take a one year GPR in Rochester, with hopes of some day developing a practice that strikes a balance between new technology and patient comfort. |
Vincent Badali
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Hui Wen Yu – Hui Wen, known as Jessica, is academically accomplished, having graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a BA in Psychology before turning to dentistry. In addition, she participates in numerous health fairs and GKAS events. Last year, she was one of six dental students selected to travel to Pine Ridge, SK, with school faculty for a two-week outreach experience through the Indian Health Service. This was an intensive “mini-residency” in removable prosthodontics with a unique, remote Native American community. Jessica also has been pursuing research on the anti-inflammatory properties of the botanical, curcumin, in a diabetic wound healing model. Her ultimate mission is to bridge the gap between those who simply have no options and those who can afford high quality dental care.
