Class of 2024 celebrated at Dental Hygiene Awards

Students from the Dental Hygiene Class of 2024 were recognized at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry’s annual DH Awards. The ceremony was held May 7 in the Denton A. Cooley, MD and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center.

In total, 16 awards were bestowed upon members of the soon-to-be graduating class.

Order of ceremony:

• Academic Achievement Award: Priscilla Perez
• American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award: Evelyn S. Salinas
• E-Portfolio Excellence Award: Nghiep (Lucas) D. Ly
• Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals Star Award: Kelly N. Dang
• Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Association Outstanding Professional Leadership Award: Saima Valliani
• Mentor of the Year Award: Jiabao Xu
• Sigma Phi Alpha: Priscilla, Perez, Tiffany N. Nguyen, Nghiep (Lucas) D. Ly
• Student Teaching Award: Eric Arroyo
• UTSD Dental Hygienists’ Alumni Association Award: Nghiep (Lucas) D. Ly
• UTSD Simulation Award: Salma Y. Tellez
• Procter & Gamble Preventive Dentistry Award: Tiffany N. Nguyen
• UTSD Student Award in Interprofessional Education: Jiabao Xu
• Class of 2024 Future Healthcare Hygienist of the Year Award: Jiabao Xu
• Cleverick Johnson Award: Alaa Eddine K. Zamzam
• Cloud Dentistry Dental Hygiene Devotion Award: Kelly N. Dang
• PACE Excellence in Interviewing Award: Jordan R. Jackson

The program concluded with the presentation of the Lorna J. Bruning Award for Outstanding Teaching. The 2024 recipient was Leanna Nguyen, BSDH, MS.

Chosen by second-year dental hygiene students, the Bruning Award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional knowledge and competence towards effective learning.