HONORING THE
Class of
2021 38th Annual Senior Awards May 13, 2021
M E SSAGE FROM TH E DEA N
Dear Class of 2021, We are all tremendously excited for you today as you complete your studies at Ostrow and begin the next chapters of your professional journeys as official USC dental professionals. Your years in dental school have not been easy. My fellow faculty members and I have challenged you in every way imaginable, aiming to forge some of tomorrow’s leading minds out of the raw talent, intelligence and potential that first came to Ostrow only a few years ago. With a looming global pandemic, this past year has tested you in ways only a few classes in the entire history of the USC School of Dentistry have ever experienced. Like your counterparts during the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic, you’ve had to be strong, resilient, determined and adaptable — qualities that will propel you to the top of the profession. While it’s not been easy, you’ve been made all the stronger by the challenges of the past year. I hope you will revel in this moment and celebrate your achievements. You have certainly earned it. While we might be saying farewell today, it is our hope that you will stay in touch, whether that be by taking advantage of your free Century Club Alumni Association membership or simply dropping us a line to share your successes. As an educator, I can tell you there is no greater reward than seeing your students go out into the world, taking the knowledge you imparted in them to make great careers for themselves. Congratulations, and as always stay safe, stay healthy and Fight On!
Avishai Sadan, DMD, MBA Dean G. Donald and Marian James Professor of Dentistry Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
2 02 1 S ENIO R AWAR DS Madalyn Addis
CLIFTON O. DUMMETT COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating dental doctoral or dental hygiene class who has made outstanding contributions to the betterment of the community through service, political action or scholarly activity.
Maryam Amso
CENTURY CLUB ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SENIOR DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENT AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating dental hygiene class for exceptional service in student government and/or community activities.
David Bai
FIXED PROSTHODONTICS AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in fixed prosthodontics during the doctoral dental program.
Edward Baum
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS STUDENT HUMANITARIAN AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has shown an outstanding example of altruistic leadership in promoting and serving humanitarian projects.
Jason Chen
HORACE WELLS SENIOR STUDENT AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated proficiency in the field of dental anesthesia. (Sponsored by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology)
Eumi Choi
DENTAL STUDENT RECOGNITION AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND PUBLIC HEALTH Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has excelled over and above the normal provision of dental services and health educational activities in the community. (Sponsored by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry)
Renat Daudov
CORA UELAND MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating dental hygiene class for outstanding academic achievement in the dental hygiene program.
Nabat Davrani
DENTAL STUDENT AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PERIODONTOLOGY Awarded to a member of the graduating class who displays outstanding performance in periodontics. This student also displays the highest level of academic and clinical achievement related to periodontics. (Sponsored by the American Academy of Periodontology)
Allison Dietze
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ESTHETIC DENTISTRY STUDENT AWARD OF MERIT Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in the pursuit of excellence in the undergraduate study of esthetic dentistry.
2 02 1 S ENIO R AWAR DS Deicy Giraldo Giraldo
OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in operative dentistry during the two-year Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists (ASPID).
Deicy Giraldo Giraldo
Valerie Hernandez-Blouin JOHN INGLE AWARD
For outstanding achievement in biomedical science research conducted during the DDS program.
Valerie Hernandez-Blouin ROBERT W. MCNULTY MEMORIAL AWARD
PRE-DOCTORAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Awarded to the member of the graduating class for the highest academic achievement during the fouryear doctoral program.
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who excelled in prosthodontics and is interested in pursuing their dental education in a post-graduate prosthodontic program.
Jesslyn Hodge
(Sponsored by the American College of Prosthodontics)
Dryden Granger
BRIAN D. STONE MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer service or care for patients with special needs. (Sponsored by the Dental Lifeline Network)
Viviana Han
CENTURY CLUB ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SENIOR DENTAL STUDENT AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating doctoral class for exceptional service in student government and/or community activities.
Valerie Hernandez-Blouin
G. DONALD MONTGOMERY EXCELLENCE IN DENTISTRY AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for the highest academic achievement, outstanding clinical ability, service in student government and commitment to humanitarian causes.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has excelled in the field of pediatric dentistry.
Jesslyn Hodge THOR AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has shown outstanding dedication and service in providing dental care to underserved and disadvantaged children. (Sponsored by the USC Mobile Clinic Faculty)
Jessica Huang
DDS GRADUATING CLASS INSPIRATIONAL AWARD Awarded to the member of the graduating doctoral class who by character, ideals and leadership will continue to be an inspiration to fellow classmates in their professional lives. (Sponsored by the DDS Class of 2021)
Sahar Hussein
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OROFACIAL PAIN OUTSTANDING SENIOR DENTAL STUDENT AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated commitment and interest in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.
2 02 1 S ENIO R AWAR DS Chun Wai Wilson Lai
RADIOLOGY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated special interest and accomplishments in oral and maxillofacial radiology. (Sponsored by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology)
Erin Lee
ROBERT W. MCNULTY MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to the member of the graduating class for the highest academic achievement during the fouryear doctoral program.
Esther Lee
CHARLES M. AND SHIRLEY GOLDSTEIN ENDOWED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding dedication as a student volunteer to continue the vision and reflect the heart of the Mobile Clinic.
Jiawei Li
PAUL K. HILL MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in endodontics during the doctoral dental program.
Ashley Mach
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS AWARD
Ashley Mach
OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADER AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating dental class for demonstrated leadership in student government or similar endeavors, outstanding scholastic performance and potential for impact on the profession of dentistry. (Sponsored by the Southern California Section of the American College of Dentists)
Ashley Mach
SPECIAL RECOGNITION BY THE DEAN Awarded on rare occasions to a graduating student who has distinguished themselves through outstanding service and contributions to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.
Tiffany Majdipour
FRANK LOTT MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding academic and clinical achievement in removable complete prosthodontics during the doctoral dental program.
Eric Mastanduono
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AND AWARD IN ORAL MEDICINE Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has excelled over and above the normal provision of dental services and health educational activities involving medically compromised patients with interest in the discipline of oral medicine.
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who demonstrates exceptional interest in the development of the oral-facial complex.
(Sponsored by American Academy of Oral Medicine)
Ashley Mach
REX INGRAHAM AWARD
AMERICAN STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating DDS class for achieving superior levels of participation or leadership in service to other students, their school or local community.
Bilyana McLeod
Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in clinical operative dentistry during the doctoral dental program.
2 02 1 S ENIO R AWAR DS Meredith Messerle
Thomas Nguyen
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has shown the most professional growth and development during the four-year doctoral program.
Awarded to the member of the graduating class for the highest academic achievement during the fouryear doctoral program.
JULIO ENDELMAN MEMORIAL AWARD
(Sponsored by the International College of Dentistry)
William Nash
FLOYDE E. HOGEBOOM AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in pediatric dentistry during the doctoral dental program.
Antoinette Ngo
R.L. FOWKES / L.J. FOGEL MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in oral pathology during the doctoral dental program. (Sponsored by the Southern California Academy of Oral Pathology)
Kalvyn Ngo
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS DENTAL STUDENT AWARD
ROBERT W. MCNULTY MEMORIAL AWARD
Maile Osborne
BEHAVIORAL DENTISTRY AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding humanistic qualities in the treatment of patients during the doctoral dental program.
Conor Perrin
ROBERT W. MCNULTY MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to the member of the graduating class for the highest academic achievement during the fouryear doctoral program.
Shubha Pewa
CALIFORNIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating ASPID class who has made significant contributions to organized dentistry and to the future of the profession.
Awarded to a member of the graduating class with high academic standing for outstanding performance in undergraduate study and clinical training in the area of oral and maxillofacial surgery and anesthesiology.
Laura Pogosian
Teresa Nguyen
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated exemplary aptitude and achievement in oral and maxillofacial pathology.
Awarded to a senior dental student in recognition of the student’s scientific journalistic ability.
(Sponsored by the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology)
Teresa Nguyen
Levi Powell
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has an interest in furthering their education, research and experiences in dental implants.
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has shown a special interest and proficiency in the field of periodontics during their educational experience.
DENTAL JOURNAL AWARD
OUTSTANDING DENTAL STUDENT IN IMPLANT DENTISTRY AWARD
(Sponsored by the Academy of Osseointegration)
ALBERT M. ABRAMS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY
WESTERN SOCIETY OF PERIODONTOLOGY AWARD
2 02 1 S ENIO R AWAR DS Aryan Sadighim
ACADEMY OF OPERATIVE DENTISTRY AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who exhibits excellence in operative dentistry at the pre-doctoral level.
Aryan Sadighim
PIERRE FAUCHARD ACADEMY STUDENT AWARD Awarded to the member of the graduating class who exhibited leadership and through their accomplishments, has demonstrated dedication to the advancement of “dental literature”.
Veronica Sanchez
DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENT RECOGNITION AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND PUBLIC HEALTH Awarded to a member of the graduating dental hygiene class who has excelled over and above the normal provision of dental services and health educational activities in the community.
Cynthia Silva
PATIENT EDUCATION AWARD Awarded to the member of the graduating dental hygiene class who has demonstrated the highest standards in didactic and clinical patient education.
Cynthia Silva
RUTH A. RAGLAND CLINICAL AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating dental hygiene class for outstanding achievement in clinical dental hygiene.
Emma Spear
CORA UELAND MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating dental hygiene class for outstanding academic achievement in the dental hygiene program.
Shahnaz Tambawala
ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY SENIOR AWARD
(Sponsored by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry)
Awarded to the member of the graduating class who has shown the most promise of being an outstanding general dentist. This student ranks in the top one-third of their class.
Lina Shahinyan
Madison Tran
Awarded to a member of the graduating DDS class who has made significant contributions to organized dentistry and to the future of the profession.
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has distinguished themselves in ethics and professionalism, and the advancement of ethics in the profession.
CALIFORNIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD
Jessica Shin
CLIFTON O. DUMMETT / NICOLA MALIK ETHICS AWARD
(Sponsored by the Student Professionalism and Ethics Club - SPEC)
BERNARD LEVIN REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTIC AWARD
Ngoc Phuong Tran
Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding academic and clinical achievement in removable prosthodontics during the doctoral dental program.
Awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding achievement in periodontology during the doctoral dental program.
PERIODONTOLOGY AWARD
2 02 1 S ENIO R AWAR DS Harry Tseng
Simon Youn
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated sincere interest, concern, special aptitude and competence in managing and treating handicapped and special needs patients.
Awarded to the member of the graduating class for the highest academic achievement during the four-year doctoral program.
SPECIAL CARE DENTISTRY ASSOCIATION AWARD
Gabriel Ukegheson
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated excellence in the area of diagnosis and treatment planning during their pre-clinical and clinical education.
ROBERT W. MCNULTY MEMORIAL AWARD
Helen Yuan
EXEMPLARY STUDENT AMBASSADOR AWARD Awarded to a graduating Ambassador who has done an exemplerary job of representing Ostrow and embodies the values of what it means to be an Ostrow Trojan.
Christian Underwood
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ORAL IMPLANTOLOGISTS’ PREDOCTORAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the greatest interest and commitment to oral implantology/implant dentistry.
Eduardo Valdes Espinoza AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ENDODONTISTS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated exceptional ability in the area of endodontics.
Taylor Yamanishi
EVERITT V. PAYNE MEMORIAL AWARD IN DENTAL MORPHOLOGY Awarded to a member of the graduating class who achieved the highest academic average in dental morphology courses and who has demonstrated exceptional interest and enthusiasm by participating as a teaching assistant in these courses.
This year’s awards were selected by their respective organizations or by the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee.
2021 EXCE L L E NCE I N T EACH ING AWARDS
Each year, the Teaching Awards are given to faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and have had a significant influence on the educational experience of their students. The selection is made from nominations submitted by members of the graduating class.
Dr. Loris Abedi
FULL-TIME CLINICAL SCIENCE FACULTY TEACHING AWARD
Dr. Mahsa Alavi
FULL/PART-TIME PBL FACILITATOR FACULTY TEACHING AWARD
Ms. Lupe Arevalo
FULL/PART-TIME DENTAL HYGIENE FACULTY TEACHING AWARD
Dr. Eddie Sheh
PRE-CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE TEACHING AWARD
H EALTH PRO FE SSI ONS S C H OL ARSH IP PROGRA M This scholarship is offered through the U.S. Air Force, Army, National Guard and Navy. After graduation, recipients’ service obligation is one year of active service as a commissioned officer for each year of the scholarship.
U.S. AIR FORCE
U.S. NAVY
Dryden Granger
Cameron Butler
Pehrson Hawkley
Amanda Mays
Nadege Lum
Christian Underwood
U.S. ARMY Meredith Messerle Taylor Yamanishi