As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) introduced a set of 12 awards to recognize excellence among its faculty, staff, students, residents and alumni. During the ceremony, Dean Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS, expressed her gratitude and pride: "It is our people who make this school what it is today. Your enthusiasm and dedication drive all of our achievements and make the SDM a special, thriving community."
The inaugural awards program shines a spotlight on those who have made an impact on the SDM's mission areas in education, research, patient care and community engagement.
Left to right: Dean Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS; Daniel Mora-Plata, DDS '21, GPR '23; Danna Cervantes, CDA; David Gozalo, DDS, MS; Taryn Slepicoff, DMD; Daniel Carney, DDS '24; Susan Somerset, DMD, PharmD, MS; Viensuong Nguyen, DDS, MDSc, FACP; Catherine Flaitz, DDS, MS; Trista Hinz, MS; and Kunjan Kakar, DDS (ISP '10), MS, BDS. Award recipients not pictured: Katherine Fantauzzo, PhD, MS, MS, and Todd Hinshaw.
Faculty Excellence in Teaching
Professor and Chair, Division of Diagnostic Sciences
Faculty Excellence in Student Mentoring
Susan Somerset, DMD, PharmD, MS
Assistant Professor, Community Dentistry & Population Health
Director, Senior & Special Care Clinic
Faculty Excellence in Research
Katherine Fantauzzo, PhD, MS, MS
Associate Professor, Craniofacial Biology
Faculty Excellence in Service
Associate Professor, Restorative Dentistry
Chair, Division of Prosthodontics, Implant and Digital Dentistry
Director, Digital Dentistry Program
Faculty Excellence in Clinical Dentistry
Viensuong Nguyen, DDS, MDSc, FACP
Assistant Professor, Restorative Dentistry
Assistant Director, Advanced Standing International Student Program
Faculty Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Kunjan Kakar, DDS (ISP '10), MS, BDS
Assistant Professor, Restorative Dentistry
Clinical Staff Recognition
Danna Cervantes, CDA
Dispensary Lead
Administrative Staff Recognition
Todd Hinshaw
Facilities Manager
PRA Recognition Award
Trista K. Hinz, MS
Research Services Principal Professional, Craniofacial Biology
Outstanding Contribution by a Student
Daniel Carney, DDS '24
Student Assistant, Clinical Affairs
Outstanding Contribution by a Resident
Taryn Slepicoff, DMD
Graduate Orthodontic Resident '24
Alumni Achievement Award
Daniel Mora-Plata, DDS '21, GPR '23
Graduate Periodontic Resident '26
The selection process for these 12 special awards involved nominations from every corner of the school, allowing colleagues to recognize deserving friends and colleagues who they work alongside every day. A selection committee comprised of representatives from the Faculty Senate, student government, human resources and administration thoughtfully considered all nominees.
Dean Kassebaum drew inspiration from the Colorado School of Public Health (CSPH), which hosts have a similar annual awards program. She expressed her excitement in establishing this new tradition: "This is just the beginning," she said. "We are proud to establish these annual awards, ensuring that we continue to recognize and celebrate excellence within our community year after year."
As the SDM embarks on its next 50 years, the legacy of excellence and dedication embodied by this recognition program will undoubtedly continue to inspire and shape the future of dental medicine.