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Achievements Unlocked: DDS Class of 2024 Student and Faculty Awards Announced

minute read

by Laura Ramsey | May 17, 2024
large banquet hall with people seated at round tables eating and drinking

"Tonight, we celebrate the effort, achievements, and accomplishments of each one of the members of the dental class." University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) Dean Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS, welcomed graduates, families, faculty, staff and friends to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Class of 2024 Graduation Banquet and Awards Ceremony at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The venue was buzzing with pride. 

Rick Mediavilla, DDS, FAGD, associate professor and associate dean of admission, student and alumni affairs, had the honor of announcing each of the 79 graduates, their plans following graduation, and any awards they received. 

The following student awards were presented. 

  • Academy of Dental Materials Award: Elise Ambrose 
  • Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Dental Award: Saeed Gholizadeh 
  • Academy of Operative Dentistry Award: Samantha Wieland 
  • Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry Award: Thomas Kobitter 
  • Advanced Clinical Training and Service Program Award: Rene Fernandez 
  • Alpha Omega International Fraternity Award: Rayna Vollmer 
  • American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Award: Eva Biznichuk 
  • American Academy of Implant Dentistry Dental Student Award: Reegan DeBruycker 
  • American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award: Kaylee Holmes
  • American Academy of Oral Medicine Certificate of Merit Award: Rayna Vollmer
  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit Award: Kaylee Holmes
  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit Award: Tayler Miller
  • American Academy of Periodontology Dental Student Award: Katie Thorne
  • American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Student Award: Thomas Hardenbergh
  • American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award: Collin Loustalet
  • American Association of Orthodontists Student Dental Award: Cameron Birch
  • American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award: Nisa Far
  • American College of Dentists Student Award: Janelle Sterling
  • American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Horace Wells Award: Eva Biznichuk
  • American Equilibration Society Award: Cameron Birch
  • American Student Dental Association Award: Danny Carney
  • Brasseler USA Award: Maria Gabriela Rodriguez Mantilla 
  • Brasseler USA Award: Cole VanderWel
  • Brian D. Stone Memorial Award: Katie Thorne
  • Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Award: Nisa Far
  • Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Award: Vakhtang Huhua
  • Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Award: Kaeun Julia Kim
  • Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Award: Roxanna Robinson Lujan
  • The Colorado Prosthodontic Society Award: Rayna Vollmer
  • Dr. Barry Beauvais/Special Care Dentistry Association Award: Katie Thorne
  • Dr. Kenneth Grove/Memorial of the Dental Foundation of Colorado Award: Victoria Rick
  • Dr. Miles Markley Delta Sigma Delta Award: Isabel Schmidt
  • Dr. Solomon Averbach Humanitarian Award: Katie Thorne
  • Dr. Thomas J. Bomberg Memorial Award: Kjeld Nelson
  • Hanau Award for Excellence in Prosthodontics: Kjeld Nelson
  • International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award: Maria Gabriela Rodriguez Mantilla 
  • International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award: Kjeld Nelson
  • International Congress of Oral Implantologists/Sullivan Schein Dental Predoctoral Achievement Award: Roxanna Robinson Lujan
  • The Pierre Fauchard Academy Senior Student Award: Eva Biznichuk
  • Predoctoral Student Achievement Award in Endodontics: Danny Carney
  • Predoctoral Student Prosthodontic Achievement Award: Hayley Patterson
  • Quintessence Award for Clincal Achievement in Restorative Dentistry: Kyle Parmley
  • Quintessence Award for Clinical Aschievements in Periodontics: Lexi Dunnells
  • Quintessence Award for Research Achievement: Francis Paoli
  • Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry Award: Lexi Dunnells 

Ten students were also recognized for their induction into the national dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon: Rayna Vollmer, Kaylee Holmes, Cameron Birch, Kevin Butterman, Emilia Berni, Darby Fox, Tayler Miller, Kaleb Martin, Katie Thorne and Karishma Khunger

Next, with a creative and thoughtful skit to celebrate the faculty who played a pivotal role in our students' success, Class President Kaeun Julia Kim and Class Student Affairs Committee Representative Jose Silva presented this year's faculty awards, selected by the entire class. 

  • Outstanding Basic Sciences Instructor: Caley Orr, PhD 
  • Outstanding Didactic Instructor: Daniel Wilson, DDS 
  • Outstanding Pre-clinical Instructor: James DeLapp, DDS '82, MS 
  • Outstanding Part-time Faculty: Darrell Schuler, DDS 
  • Outstanding Preceptor Award: Kyle Larsen, DDS '17 
  • Outstanding Clinical Instructor: David Gozalo, DDS, MS 
  • Altruism Faculty Recognition Award: Thomas Greany, DDS '97
  • Chancellor's Teaching Recognition Award: Kunjan Kakar, DDS (ISP '10), MS, BDS 
  • President's Excellence in Teaching Award: David Gozalo, DDS, MS 

The night concluded with a special video showcasing the graduates' four-year journey together, created by Tori Rick. 

Congratulations to the DDS Class of 2024 and all award recipients. 

DDS Class 2024 Composite_V5

 

Topics: Alumni, Students