Neumann named ASFHG Mentor of the Year

Ana Candia Solari Neumann, DDS, PhD, MPH, director of Dental Public Health at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, has been named The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston Galveston 2025 Academic Mentor of the Year. Neumann was honored during the organization’s annual Celebration of Service, a luncheon held Sept. 26 at The Briar Club, where more than 300 attendees gathered to recognize students, mentors, and community leaders working to improve health outcomes for underserved communities.

In her remarks at the luncheon, Neumann expressed gratitude to her colleagues and the fellowship.

“Your dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm have made mentorship so meaningful, and so much fun,” she told the audience. “It’s a privilege to be part of an organization where mentorship is celebrated and valued.”

Neumann’s involvement with the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship began in 2013, when two dental students invited her to serve as their mentor. Since then, she has supported a variety of projects and guided students across disciplines in developing sustainable, community-based health initiatives.

“I am very grateful for the support of our institution, which enables faculty to devote time to these initiatives and to engage fully in supporting both our Fellows and the Fellowship,” she said.

Among the many projects she has mentored, Neumann highlighted two that reflect her approach to mentorship and community engagement. One, now in its second year as a legacy project, partners with YES Prep Schools to introduce underserved adolescents to professional career paths, including dentistry. The iniative, Explore Club, was spearheaded by 2024-25 Fellow Kellie Askew under the mentorship of Neumann, and has now been expanded by 2025-26 Fellows Naseem Azadi and Fatemeh Ebrahimi.

Another memorable and ongoing initiative at the Brookwood Community brings together dental and medical students to provide nutrition education and promote wellness among adults with disabilities.

Neumann emphasized the long-term impact of the Fellowship experience on students’ professional development.

“I hope the joy and enthusiasm they find in working alongside other health care professionals continues throughout their careers,” she said. “And I hope their commitment to service and caring for the underserved remains a lasting part of who they are.”

For Neumann, mentorship is not just about guiding others — it’s about learning and growing alongside them.

“This recognition is a great honor and deeply meaningful to me, both personally and professionally,” she said. “Being trusted as a mentor is incredibly rewarding, and my mentees challenge and inspire me every day.”