2023 Annual Celebration of Scholarship recognizes student, resident recipients

Students and residents of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry were recognized during the 2023 Annual Celebration of Scholarship on Jan. 26 in the Denton A. Cooley, MD and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center. Scholarships are applied to the 2022-23 academic year.

In his opening remarks, Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, noted the growth of scholarships thanks to the generosity of many through the years to support the School of Dentistry’s students and residents.

“A decade ago, we had less than 20 endowed funds that distributed about $48,000 a year in scholarships to students and residents,” Valenza said. “Today, we have nearly 50 funds yielding approximately 120 scholarships totaling over $250,000.

“Why is this important to know? I think it’s important to recognize the passion that so many have had to support those that have followed them here at [the School of Dentistry], to give back to the institution that provided their education and experience, and of course I hope that all of you will consider doing the same.”

Kevin Morano, PhD, UTHealth Houston senior vice president for academic and faculty affairs, congratulated the recipients and acknowledged the impact of scholarships for students and residents. “[Scholarships are] recognition for your hard work and everything you are doing for the School of Dentistry.”

Brad Jennings, DDS, MDS, an orthodontist in Houston, served as the luncheon’s keynote speaker. Having recently turned 40 years old, Jennings reflected on entering the “second half” of his dental career and how quickly the years have gone by. He also impressed the need to be a part of organized dentistry.

“It’s so easy for you to say you’re too busy [for organized dentistry] or I’ll let somebody else do that, but I ask you to not be that person,” Jennings said. “Give back, and fill the well where you have taken. All of you are going to be learning or taking knowledge, but give it back one day. Whether you donate back to the dental school or mentor a kid through a dental society, find a way to give back, so that we can keep our profession where it needs to be.”

Robert D. Spears, PhD, associate dean for student and academic affairs, emceed the presentation of scholarship, announcing each scholarship and recipient, and Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, assistant dean for admissions and student services, provided closing remarks.

Recipients are as follows:

• Hanan AbdelGilil
  Ronald V. Glauser, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Alexis Adams
  Raymond Kenneth Morrow, DDS & Yen Hoang Morrow Scholarship

• Abisola Akingbade
  Women of Rotary Club Student Scholarship

• Ali Al Hatem
  Delta Dental Scholarship for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students

• Dominique Angibeau
  Carus Dental Fund Scholarship

• Andrew Augustine
  Alliance of the Texas Dental Association Endowed Memorial Scholarship

• John Beck
  and Mrs. Tan Vu Scholarship

• Noah Blackwell
  Ronald V. Glauser, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Logan Bliss
  Kenneth H. Porter Operative Dentistry Scholarship

• Casandra Castillo
  Carus Dental-Dental Hygiene Endowed Scholarship

• Rosha Chittuluru
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Garrett Conlan
  Kinnari M. Prajapati, DDS Scholarship

• Payton Cook
  Heyl G. Tebo Endowed Scholarship

• Trinity Curry
  The Dental Hygiene Class of 2003 Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Meghna Dara
  Gary S. Leff, DDS, MPH Scholarship

• Allison Day
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Van DeMille
  The Corina Diaz & Walter Bajsel Endowed Scholarship

• Esmerelda Diaz
  Carus Dental Fund Scholarship

• Carlye Dierckman
  Daniel C. Kamas, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Victoria Diggs
  The Dr. Milton and Florence Yellen Scholarship Fund

• Lily Dinh
  Shirah May Hall Memorial Scholarship in Dental Hygiene

• Ethan Ellis
  William “Sam” Leifeste, DDS Memorial Scholarship

• Julian Fernandez
  Gary S. Leff, DDS, MPH Scholarship

• Dominick Fierro
  Nhan Hien Endowed Scholarship

• Caroline Gekas
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Mykah Guy
  Alliance of the Texas Dental Association Endowed Memorial Scholarship

• Abigail Hafner
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Haylee Hardy
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Jack Harlan
  Erbert W. D’Anton, DDS Memorial Scholarship

• Nicole Harari
  Schwinn Family Endowment Scholarship

• Nathalie Heimeyer
  James H. Wuensche Scholarship
  Women of Rotary Club Student Scholarship

• Bridget Hibbler
  Schwinn Family Endowment Scholarship

• Nour Hilal
  President James T. Willerson/Nancy Beamer Willerson Scholarship

• Rebecca Hobbesland
  Women of Rotary Club Student Scholarship

• Laura Huynh
  UTSD Faculty Scholarship

• Trixie Intal
  Thuc La, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Alhagie Jallow
  Thuc La, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Sanjna John
  John D. Lee, DDS Scholarship

• Mohammad Khan
  Kenneth H. Porter Operative Dentistry Scholarship

• Renee Kono
  Gao Family Scholarship

• Raven Landry
  UTSD Student Emergency Scholarship

• Helen Liu
  and Mrs. Anthony Charles Garza Endowment Scholarship

• Mayan Kalo
  Edgar H. Boelsche Scholarship

• Colin Kappel
  UTSD Faculty Scholarship

• Clara Kohlmetz
  Triolo Leadership in Dentistry Scholarship

• Rawan Layth
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Ryan Lee
  Bradford Willis Scholarship in Pediatric Dentistry

• Skylar Mai
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Joshua Mathew
  Gary S. Leff, DDS, MPH Scholarship

• Judy McNeill
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Zach Montz
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Keaton Moore
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Nicole Moore
  Gary S. Leff, DDS, MPH Scholarship

• Brenda Munoz
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Mary Myrick
  Thomas L. Willis, MD, DDS & T. Bradford Willis, DDS, MSD Scholarship in Pediatric Dentistry

• Tala Nassar
  Frederick C. Elliot/Severin Knutson/Rupert Estel Hall Dental Student Scholarship

• McCluer Neuroth
  Carus Dental Fund Scholarship

• Christine Nguyen, DMD
  Pauline C. “Jackie” Duke Orthodontic Residency Scholarship

• My Duyen Nguyen
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Oghenesuvweh Ogbevire
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Madeline Oles
  Gene Stevenson, DDS, Memorial Award in Evidence-based Dentistry

• Nicholas Pace
  Kamila M. Husain, DDS & Nomaan K. Husain, JD Scholarship

• Samantha Paredes
  Gene Stevenson, DDS, Memorial Award in Evidence-based Dentistry

• Sydney Pham
  and Mrs. Anthony Charles Garza Endowment Scholarship

• Emma Pickup
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Natalie Pruneda
  Ramirez-Rathmell South Texas General Dentistry Scholarship

• Salem Rabadi
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Anthony Rafaile
  and Mrs. Anthony Charles Garza Endowment Scholarship

• Kristen Ramirez
  Women of Rotary Club Student Scholarship

• Carolina Ramos
  Frederick C. Elliot/Severin Knutson/Rupert Estel Hall Dental Student Scholarship

• Kayla Rankin
  Thomas L. Willis, MD, DDS & T. Bradford Willis, DDS, MSD Scholarship in Pediatric Dentistry

• Reid Risinger, DDS
  Pauline C. “Jackie” Duke Orthodontic Residency Scholarship

• Anissa Rodriguez
  Bob and Tonya Foster Scholarship

• Itzel Romero
  Alliance of the Texas Dental Association Endowed Memorial Scholarship

• Brittyn Rushing
  Dosch Endowment Scholarship
  UTSD Faculty Scholarships

• Parnian Salehi
  Houston Asian American Dental Society Scholarship

• Francesca Scalise
  Edgar H. Boelsche Scholarship

• Mostefa Sheikhi
  Carus Dental Fund Scholarship

• Michael Smith
  Gary S. Leff, DDS, MPH Scholarship

• Ramzi Smith
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Sergio Solis
  Frederick C. Elliot/Severin Knutson/Rupert Estel Hall Dental Student Scholarship

• Angela Suryakusuma
  Max Olivo Hutchins, PhD Memorial Scholarship

• Zach Taylor
  and Mrs. Tan Vu Scholarship

• James Tidwell
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship

• Nicholas Tipton
  Bob and Tonya Foster Scholarship
  Donald Charles Kroeger Student Research Scholarship

• Mason Tobola
  Max Olivo Hutchins, PhD Memorial Scholarship

• Kathy Tran
  Lawrence Warren Maher, Jr. DDS Memorial Scholarship
• Tiffany Tran
  Daniel C. Kamas, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Brittany Trinh, DDS
  Pauline C. “Jackie” Duke Orthodontic Residency Scholarship

• Austin Truong
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Marwah Tukdi
  Alliance of the Texas Dental Association Endowed Memorial Scholarship

• Arturo Vallejo
  Thuc La, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Avery Valls, DDS
  Pauline C. “Jackie” Duke Orthodontic Residency Scholarship

• Yanzel Vanegas
  Edgar H. Boelsche Scholarship

• Stefany Vasquez
  The Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Association Ushma Ramaiya Memorial Scholarship

• David Vindel Brower
  Alliance of the Texas Dental Association Endowed Memorial Scholarship

• Heather Whitmire
  Thuc La, DDS Endowed Scholarship

• Russell Wilson, DDS
  Pauline C. “Jackie” Duke Orthodontic Residency Scholarship

• Emma Wolfe
  Schwinn Family Endowment Scholarship

• Adam Ybarra
  UTSD Alumni Association Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Mary Younan
  Gary S. Leff, DDS, MPH Scholarship

• Valeria Zamarripa
  Delta Dental Scholarship for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students,
  The Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Association Ushma Ramaiya Memorial Scholarship

• Cesar Zapata
  and Mrs. Anthony Charles Garza Endowment Scholarship

• Cara Zou
  Iola B. and James R. Ballinger, DDS Scholarship