OKU Mu Mu Chapter welcomes 2026 inductees, celebrates excellence in scholarship and character
Twelve students the DDS Class of 2026 were inducted at the annual induction banquet of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society’s Mu Mu Chapter. Photo by Shyam Tailor.
The Mu Mu Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry welcomed 16 new members during its annual banquet on April 30, recognizing students, faculty, and leaders who exemplify scholarship, character, and service.
The 2026 class includes 12 students from the DDS Class of 2026, three faculty members, and one honorary member. The evening also honored a third-year dental student with the Dr. William S. Kramer Award for Excellence and recognized 13 first-year dental students for ranking in the top 10% of the DDS Class of 2029.
“Tonight, we’re here to celebrate people who have worked hard, stayed persistent, and held themselves to an exceptional standard,” said Marilia Sly, DDS, MSD, outgoing Mu Mu Chapter president.
Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, emphasized that the recognition extends beyond academic achievement.
“You’re not here simply for what you have done, but also because of how you’ve done it and who you are — your character, your ethics, and your commitment to this profession,” Valenza said.
Student inductees from the DDS Class of 2026 are Hanan Abdelgilil, Eriny Greiss, Ethan Katz, Zachary Montz, Thy Thy Nguyen, Nicholas Pace, Emily Ray, Sara Roach, Francesca Scalise, Sergio Solis, Alina To, and Emma Wolfe.
Faculty inductees are Elham Abbassi, DDS, D.ABDSM, assistant professor; David F. Fray, DDS ’79, professor; and Bonita A. Wynkoop, RDH, DDS ’92. All are members of the Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health.
Alumna Rita M. Cammarata, DDS ’96, was named the chapter’s honorary inductee.
Vivian Tran of the DDS Class of 2027 received the 2026 Dr. William S. Kramer Award for Excellence, which recognizes a third-year dental student who demonstrates scholarship, character, ethics, and promise for advancing the profession and serving humanity.
The ceremony also recognized first-year dental students Tucker Anderson, Brooke Landen, Jiweon Lee, David Luo, Leah Majzoubi, Nafisa Muhammad, Dong Yong (Leo) Park, Eric Peng, Avelyn Pham, Grace Scott, Kylee Stoddard, Renat Trybunko, and Tyler Washington for their academic achievement.
Keynote speaker Partha Mukherjee, DDS, General Practice Residency ’02, encouraged honorees to view their achievements through a broader lens of leadership and patient care.
“Character is the silent partner of your degree,” Mukherjee said. “Leadership in dentistry is the intersection of these two things — what you know and who you are.”
He urged students to look beyond clinical outcomes and focus on the human side of care.
“If we only look at the tooth, we are merely technicians. If we look at the person, we are truly healers,” Mukherjee said.
On behalf of the inductees, Hanan Abdelgilil reflected on the meaning of the recognition and the responsibility it carries.
“It is not only a recognition of academic achievement, but of character, integrity, service, and a commitment to excellence in patient care,” Abdelgilil said. “It reminds us that what we do matters, but how we do it matters as much.”
OKU was founded by the faculty of Northwestern University Dental School in 1914. The Mu Mu Chapter at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry was organized in 1940.
OKU is a national dental honor society that recognizes dental students, faculty, and others who distinguish themselves by achieving a high level of scholarship. In addition to outstanding academic achievement, criteria for election to membership include exemplary traits of character and ethics, as well as potential for future professional growth and attainment. The admission standards are meant to encourage and develop a spirit of excellence among students in dentistry.
