The School of Dental Medicine celebrated the accomplishments of fourth-year students ahead of commencement
Faculty and students in the Class of 2025 gather for the annual School of Dental Medicine senior awards ceremony.
The Class of 2025 is just days away from walking across the commencement stage to receive their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees.
This week, the students gathered with their fellow classmates and faculty to celebrate their many accomplishments for one last time before UConn Health's 54th Commencement on May 12.
The annual senior awards celebration-this year taking place at the New Britain Museum of American Art-includes the presentation of student and faculty awards.
"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 programs anywhere," said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine. "In doing so, we are confident that you are well prepared to enter the profession as exceptionally well trained and competent beginning practitioners. You are well poised to face the challenges of the next phase of your professional careers."
The dean continued, "Your professional journey does not end with graduation. The majority of you will be entering residency programs in a few weeks, while others will be entering practice, but regardless of that next step, I want to encourage you to continue to learn and grow with the same enthusiasm and spirit that you have demonstrated with us over the past four years."
"It was an honor to attend the student awards reception," said David Cruzate, the class representative. "The night of camaraderie with our friends, colleagues, and faculty felt like such a culmination and celebration of our time here at UConn. I am forever grateful to be a part of our community!"
After commencement, Cruzate will be heading to Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Maine for his Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency.
Cynara McPhail, president of the School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association Board and 1984 graduate of the School of Dental Medicine, made remarks to the students as well.
Earlier in the week, the School of Dental Medicine hosted an induction ceremony for the Phi Chi Chapter of the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) National Dental Honor society.
Samira Abdelrehim, Dedrian Barrett, Emma Bergstrom, Sierra Furey, Dani Gosselin, and Michael Truhlar were inducted for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, professionalism, and ethics.
"Induction into OKU is based on scholarship and character, and is a great honor in dental medicine," said Dr. Donna Paolella, associate dean for admissions and president of the Phi Chi chapter. "The faculty and students inducted this year are very impressive, and this is a well-deserved honor."
Dr. Eric Bernstein, associate dean for academic affairs, and Dr. Takanori Sobue, associate professor in the Department of Periodontology, were inducted as faculty.
During the student awards recognition ceremony, Dr. Ellen Eisenberg was announced as this year's Kaiser Permanente award winner for excellence in teaching and Dr. Hang Le received the South Park Inn Award for outstanding service to the community.
The full list of the student awards is below:
ENDODONTICS
American Association of Endodontists Student Achievement Award
Olivia Dort
GENERAL DENTISTRY
Academy of General Dentistry Future Leader in General Dentistry Award
Mark DiRusso
Academy of Operative Dentistry Award
Cristal Bruce
American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Student Award of Merit
Emma Bergstrom
The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry
Gosia Fryc
ORAL MEDICINE
American Academy of Oral Medicine Award
Danielle Gosselin
American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award
Lucy Schlink
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award
Samira Abdelrehim
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY
Allan B. Reiskin Award
Kipa Shakya
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award
Gosia Fryc
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
American Academy of Implant Dentistry Student Award
Dedrian Barrett
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award
Spencer Infranco
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award
Mark DiRusso
American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award (William H. Bell Award)
Isiah Sumler
Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry
Tyler Deitelbaum
Connecticut Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award
John Todd
Dr. Richard G. Topazian Prize
Juan Mitchell
Horace Wells Senior Student Award from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
Pablo Piedra
International Congress of Oral Implantologists/Dentsply Student Achievement Award
Brian Legato
ORTHODONTICS
American Association of Orthodontists Award
Thomas Nelson
Dr. Surender Nanda Memorial Award
Peter Schwalm
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit
Samantha DePalma
Special Care Dentistry Association/Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Award
Sierra Furey
PERIODONTOLOGY
American Academy of Periodontology Award
Dedrian Barrett
Northeastern Society of Periodontists Award
Pritisha Amatya
The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics
Timothy Tsai
PROSTHODONTICS
American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award
Michael Truhlar
American Prosthodontic Society Award
Sarah Nevolis
HanauTM Best of the Best Prosthodontic Award
Gosia Fryc
Kohrman Award
Dedrian Barrett
SENIOR AWARDS COMMITTEE AWARDS
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
Samantha DePalma
Dr. Robert G. Levine Award
Julia Clapis
The Dr. Loeb Prize
Samira Abdelrehim
Friends of the School of Dental Medicine - Fox Award
Dedrian Barrett
International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award
Nina Penabad
International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award
Eddyson Altidor
Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry (SCAD)
Richard Cadena
The Brian D. Stone Student Memorial Award
Jake Wallach
The Pierre Fauchard Academy Award
Jason Deck
The Quintessence Award for Research Achievement
Emma Winchester
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine Professional Development Award
John Dellalana
American Association of Women Dentists Eleanor J. Bushee Senior Dental Student Award
Megna Senthilnathan
Olmstead Prize in Geriatrics
Ninad Vora
Academic Achievement Award 2025 Sponsored by the Provost's Commission on the Status of Women, the UConn Alumni Association, and the Women's Center
Samira Abdelrehim
ADEA Dr. Jean Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award
Dedrian Barrett
US Public Health Service Dental Award
Serene Elbach
2025 ASDA Award of Excellence
Sarah Nevolis
Commencement Speaker
Kristina Dubois
The Alumni Relations Award
Victoria D'Agostino
Eddyson Altidor
Mychael Mckeever
Health Careers Bridge Award
Nina Penabad
Phi Chi Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon 2025 Inductees
Samira Abdelrehim
Dedrian Barrett
Emma Bergstrom
Sierra Furey
Danielle Gosselin
Michael Truhlar
The South Park Inn Dental Clinic Award
Vanessa Vlaun
Dr. Hang Le
Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award
Dr. Ellen Eisenberg
