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

"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