School of Dentistry marks 121st commencement ceremony, honors 2026 classes
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry recognized graduates from the Class of 2026 during the 121st Commencement Ceremony. Photo by Kyle Rogers.
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry welcomed 177 graduates of the Class of 2026 to its alumni base during its 121st Commencement Ceremony on May 13 inside NRG Arena.
Graduates included students from the Doctor of Dental Surgery, dental hygiene, and advanced education programs. Several advanced education programs will hold individual ceremonies recognizing their graduates.
The ceremony also marked the final commencement for Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, before his retirement, a milestone recognized throughout the afternoon by university and dental school leadership, speakers, and alumni organization representatives.
Across each address, speakers encouraged graduates to lead with compassion, remain grounded in purpose, and embrace the responsibility that comes with caring for patients and communities.
UTHealth Houston President Melina R. Kibbe, MD, congratulated the graduates and praised Valenza’s years of leadership and service to the School of Dentistry and the profession.
“Graduates, your training has prepared you to improve not only oral health, but overall health and well-being for the patients and the communities that you will serve,” Kibbe said.
Lisa D. Cain, PhD, associate vice president of faculty affairs and development at UTHealth Houston and associate dean for professional development and faculty affairs at the School of Dentistry, encouraged graduates to appreciate life’s opportunities and challenges as they build careers rooted in purpose and compassion in her inspirational message.
“Use your education not only to build a career, but use your education to build a life of purpose and impact,” Cain said. “May you never lose your sense of wonder. May you never take one breath for granted. May you serve with excellence.”
Commencement speaker Nader A. Nadershahi, DDS, MBA, EdD, executive director of the American Dental Association, expanded on that message by reflecting on the importance of strong professional and personal foundations, adaptability, and organized dentistry.
“You are graduating into a rapidly changing profession,” Nadershahi said. “Artificial intelligence and new digital tools will shape your careers. We are fortunate to live in a time of extraordinary advancement. But we can only realize their power through our humanity, through the experiences that make each of us unique.”
He also encouraged graduates to remain involved in organized dentistry and service throughout their careers.
“Participation strengthens our profession,” he said. “It also, in my opinion, makes you a better clinician.”
Dental Class President Hanan Abdelgilil, DDS ’26, reflected on the perseverance and friendships that defined the dental school experience for the Class of 2026.
“This journey was never about perfection,” Abdelgilil said. “It was about persistence. It was about becoming.”
She also thanked classmates for supporting one another through the demands of dental education.
“We didn’t just survive this,” she said. “We became something because of it.”
Dental Hygiene Class President Mia Sinclaire Jackson ’26 spoke about resilience, teamwork, and the impact dental hygienists have on patient care.
“We are not just learning for ourselves anymore,” Jackson said. “We are learning for every patient who will sit in our chair, every person who trusts us with their care.”
Jackson also recognized the accomplishments of the dental hygiene class, including becoming the first class to graduate with local anesthesia certification integrated into the curriculum.
Robert Spears, PhD, associate dean for student and academic affairs, called the names of the School of Dentistry graduates to the traditional tune “Pomp and Circumstance,” and, in several instances, graduates were presented their certificate, diploma, or hood by a family member or significant other, some of whom are alumni of the School of Dentistry.
Faculty hooders for the ceremony were Juliana A. Barros, DDS, MS, assistant dean for clinical education, and Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, assistant dean for admissions and student services.
Keely A. Hunsaker, DDS ’85, president of the UTSD Alumni Association, and Lorie Jones, RDH, BSDH ’01, ’06, president of the UT Houston Dental Hygienists’ Alumni Association, led The Dentist’s Pledge and the Dental Hygiene Oath, respectively.
In his closing remarks, Valenza reflected on the values graduates should carry throughout their careers, comparing commencement to touching every base in baseball.
“First base is competence,” Valenza said. “Second base, empathy. Third base is integrity. And doing so leads you home.”
He described home plate as purpose, where “the curiosity to keep learning, the commitment to make a difference in others’ lives, and the kindness to extend to everyone” come together.
The School of Dentistry’s 177 graduates included:
- 104 Doctor of Dental Surgery
- 23 Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
- 6 Certificate in Dental Hygiene
- 1 Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
- 43 advanced education graduates, including:
- 4 Advanced Education in General Dentistry
- 5 Endodontics
- 3 General Practice Residency one-year track
- 1 General Practice Residency two-year track
- 3 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery four-year track
- 3 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery six-year track
- 7 Orthodontics
- 8 Pediatric Dentistry
- 4 Periodontics
- 5 Prosthodontics, including one VA track graduate