Congratulations Student Government Association Teaching Award Recipients

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022 STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION TEACHING AWARD RECIPIENTS

Faculty, staff and students gathered at Ohio State’s Longaberger Alumni House on March 30, 2022, to recognize outstanding faculty at the college’s annual Student Government Association (SGA) Teaching Awards event. The faculty who received awards were chosen by the college’s dental and dental hygiene students for their teaching excellence in the areas of pre-clinical, didactic, clinical and specialty instruction.

Welcoming the attendees to the event, Dean Carroll Ann Trotman said, “The faculty who have been selected as SGA award recipients have been described by our students as ‘wonderful,’ ‘patient,’ ‘helpful,’ ‘supportive,’ and ‘exemplary.’ The word ‘exemplary’ is especially important because it means ‘serving as a model for excellence,’ and ‘representing the best.’ It is my pleasure to participate in this event that recognizes the outstanding work of our dedicated faculty members.”

(From left) Alex Smolik, ’16 DDS; Darryl Hamamoto, DDS, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; Matthew Messina ’87 DDS; Rachel Kearney, ’05 BSDH, ’07 MS; James Stone, ’67 DDS; Rebecca Henderson, ’01 BSDH, ’06 MS; Lisa Knobloch, ’91 DDS, ’94 MS; Bryant Cornelius, DDS, MBA, MPH; Gabriela Weiss, DDS, MS; Mark Morrison, ’77 DDS; Michael Masonbrink, ’71 DDS; Sara Fowler, DMD, ’10 MS; Irina Novopoltseva, BSAS, MS; Sarah Mikhail, BDS, ’11 MS; Veeshesh Patel, DDS; Christina Negray ’22 (DDS), SGA President; Mason Colon, ’19 BSDH, ’21 MSDH, Carroll Ann Trotman, BDS, MA, MS, Dean; and Mark Gordon, DDS, MS

Not pictured: Daniel A. Cortes, DDS and Joen M. Iannucci, DDS, MS

EVENT

On April 19, 2022, Dean Carroll Ann Trotman hosted the first of what will become an annual gathering: the College of Dentistry’s Diversity in Leadership Dinner and Networking Event. Designed to strengthen leadership at all levels within the college, the event was enjoyed by student organization presidents, administrators, and faculty and staff leaders.

“Our college is diverse and we have different perspectives on every problem and situation,” Dean Trotman said as she opened the event. “This range of perspectives helps us shape the college’s values and goals as leaders. This event is an opportunity for our student and college leaders to informally network, find things we have in common, discover ways we can work together, and learn from each other.”

Akil Houston, PhD, the college’s new assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, discussed how a diverse dental office staff can positively impact patients’ experiences and help providers connect with their patients. “For those of you soon to complete your time in dental school, it is vital to think about how diversity and your ability to interact with different types of people will impact your careers. I am not just speaking about the interaction you may have with patients in your chair, but also about the lives you lead in the communities in which you serve and live.”

Third-year dental student David Campbell echoed Dr. Houston’s sentiments, describing how diversity in the college’s Admissions office impacted his decision to come to Ohio State. “Diversity can improve recruitment and retention of talented individuals, including those who may be future leaders in dentistry.” A firstgeneration college student, Mr. Campbell is president of Ohio State’s chapter of the Student National Dental Association, a participant in the college’s Commitment to Access Resources in Education—or CARE—program, and a recipient of the prestigious National Health Services Corps in the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration Scholarship. When he graduates, Mr. Campbell intends to return home to Cleveland to provide care in an underserved community.

(From left) John Bartlett, PhD, Associate Dean for Research; Mehrdad Safavian, ’80 DDS, President of the Columbus Dental Society; and Darryl Hamamoto, DDS, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, chat during the Diversity in Leadership Dinner and Networking event.

Dean Trotman networked with students during the event.

(From left) Henry Fields, DDS, MS, MSD; David Campbell ‘23 (DDS); Akil Houston, PhD, Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer; and Dean Carroll Ann Trotman.