This week, students and faculty gathered to say farewell to the Class of 2024 and celebrate their many accomplishments before walking the stage for UConn Health’s 53rd commencement on May 6.
The yearly celebration includes well-wishes from faculty, a presentation of student and faculty awards, and the opportunity for the students to gather and socialize with their classmates one last time before heading to their residency placements or private practice.
Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean, said: “On behalf of the entire School of Dental Medicine community, I congratulate each of our soon to be new graduates for completing, arguably, the most challenging and rigorous dental education program anywhere. In doing so, we are confident that you are prepared to enter the profession as exceptionally well trained and competent beginning practitioners – and you are exceptionally well poised to face the challenges of the next phase of your professional careers.”
“There will be a time when you will be able to look back and reflect upon the past few years and realize that this experience will have had a life-changing impact on who you are, as a person, as a dentist, and as a member of society, ” Lepowsky continued. “The majority of you will be entering residency programs in a few weeks, but regardless of that next step – I encourage you to continue to learn and grow with the same enthusiasm and spirit that you have demonstrated with us.”
“Congratulations to each of you and those who will receive awards to recognize your accomplishments,” said Dr. Sarita Arteaga, associate dean for students. “This time of year is always sentimental for me, having watched you grow from first year students into professionals who will contribute to the community and serve your patients with the talent you arrived here with and the skills that you developed while here. I feel blessed to have been a part of your educational journey, seeing your dedication and passion that earned you the best award, the title of ‘Doctor.’”
Kathlene Gerrity, executive director of the CSDA, brought greetings and congratulations from the Connecticut State Dental Association, and Dr. Ron Birmingham, current president of the dental alumni association spoke on behalf of the alumni.
The student awards were selected by the senior awards committee, a committee made up of a group of faculty, with nominations from faculty from each of the School’s disciplines. The full list of awards and award winners is below.
ENDODONTICS
American Association of Endodontists Student Achievement Award
Stephanie Quezada
GENERAL DENTISTRY
Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Dental Award
Lindsay Witt
Academy of Operative Dentistry Award
Logan Zhang
American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Student Award of Merit
Samantha Sheppard
The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry
Ryan Oleynik
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award
Arvene Golbazi
Tetiana Winarskyj
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY
Allan B. Reiskin Award
Maayan Schmidt
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award
Jacob Dubrosky
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
American Academy of Implant Dentistry Student Award
Ryan Oleynik
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award
Mishil Nana
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award
John H. Bruppacher
American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award (William H. Bell Award)
Tudor Ilies
Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry
Mishil Nana
Connecticut Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award
Jay Dalal
Dr. Richard G. Topazian Prize
Barbara Shehata
Horace Wells Senior Student Award from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
Ryan Higgins
International Congress of Oral Implantologists/Dentsply Student Achievement Award
Logan Zhang
ORAL MEDICINE
American Academy of Oral Medicine Award
Claire Bisch
ORTHODONTICS
American Association of Orthodontists Award
Maayan Schmidt
Dr. Surender Nanda Memorial Award
Tyler James
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit
Jacob Dubrosky
Special Care Dentistry Association/Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Award
Caroline Thomas
PERIODONTOLOGY
American Academy of Periodontology Award
Ryan Higgins
Northeastern Society of Periodontists Award
Madeline Sturm
The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics
Cory Zeng
PROSTHODONTICS
American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award
Julia Mainelli
American Prosthodontic Society Award
Emma Masse
HanauTM Best of the Best Prosthodontic Award
Robert Oleynik
Kohrman Award
Julia Mainelli
SENIOR AWARDS COMMITTEE AWARDS
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
Nathalia Hernandez
Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award
Tyler James
Dr. Robert G. Levine Award
Alexandra Estanislau
Friends of the School of Dental Medicine – Fox Award
Ryan Oleynik
International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award
Alyssa Maurin
International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award
Jerry Gargano
Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry (SCAD)
Jessica Janton
The Brian D. Stone Student Memorial Award
Barbara Shehata
The Dr. Loeb Prize
Jacob Molgano
The Pierre Fauchard Academy Award
Anthony Perez-Pino
The Quintessence Award for Research Achievement
Max Einbinder
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine Professional Development Award
Brian Kupchak
Olmstead Prize in Geriatrics
Sarah Hyman
Academic Achievement Award 2024 Sponsored by the Provost’s Commission on the Status of Women, the UConn Alumni Association, and the Women’s Center
Nathalia Hernandez
American Association of Women Dentists Eleanor J. Bushee Senior Dental Student Award
Kaitlyn Solano
American College of Dentists Outstanding Student Leadership Award (Yankee Dental Congress)
Jerry Gargano
Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award (Faculty)
Dr. John Agar
The South Park Inn Dental Clinic Award
Emma Anne Dzialo
Dr. Thomas Taylor
Health Careers Mentorship Award
Ashley Brandon
Health Careers Bridge Award
Tyler Hailey James
Barbara Shehata
Kolbe Laing
Phi Chi Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon 2023 Inductees
Tyler James
Julia Mainelli
Maayan Schmidt
Barbara Shehata
Jacob Dubrosky
2023 ASDA Award of Excellence
Maayan Schmidt
The Alumni Relations Award
Jerry Gargano
