The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of our vibrant community, recognizing the exceptional contributions of faculty, staff, students, residents and alumni. These prestigious awards honor individuals who have demonstrated excellence in education, clinical practice, research, service and more, reinforcing the values and mission of our school. We are proud to highlight the dedication and impact of these honorees, who continue to shape the future of dentistry and inspire the next generation of oral health professionals.
Faculty Awards
Faculty Excellence in Teaching
Daniel Wilson, DDS
Associate Professor (C/T) and Chair, Restorative Dentistry
This award recognizes a faculty member for unique instructional contributions in formal coursework to the CU SDM.
Faculty Excellence in Student Mentoring
Kunjan Kakar, DDS, MS, BDS
Assistant Professor (C/T), Restorative Dentistry
This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to student learning and professional development outside of formal coursework through advising and mentoring, and/or engaging students in the procurement of external funding and/or dissemination of research findings.
Excellence in Faculty Research Award
Devatha Nair, PhD
Associate Professor, Craniofacial Biology
This annual award recognizes an outstanding investigator who is a faculty member in the CU SDM. Nominees must have a demonstrated record of nationally and internationally recognized research or creative work; must have engaged in scholarship that provides significant contributions to their profession or discipline; and must have a record of research and publication/creative accomplishment while at the CU SDM.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service to the CU SDM
Rick Mediavilla, DDS, FAGD
Associate Professor (C/T), and Associate Dean of Admissions, Student and Alumni Affairs
This award recognizes a current CU SDM faculty for their excellent service to the SDM.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service to the Dental Profession
Kenneth Peters, DDS
Associate Professor (C/T), Restorative Dentistry
This award recognizes a current CU SDM faculty for their outstanding service to the community and/or the dental profession.
The Michelle Brichacek Faculty Award for Excellence in Clinical Dentistry
Susan Somerset, DMD, PharmD, MS
Assistant Professor (C/T), Community Dentistry and Population Health
This award recognizes a current CU SDM faculty for their excellence in clinical dentistry, for direct patient care rendered, for teaching in the school clinics, or for teaching our students through the ACTS program.
Faculty Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Emanouela Carlson, DDS
Associate Professor (C/T) and Chair, Diagnostic Sciences and Surgical Dentistry, Division of Endodontics
This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the areas of student mentorship, research, practice, or education to further the CU SDM mission and commitment to DEI. This may be demonstrated through a significant project or achievement in this academic year, or in a record of above-and-beyond effort and service.
Staff Awards
The Joshua Schwab Outstanding Administrative Staff Award
Erik Cantor, Program Director, IT Operations, and Jennipher Murphy, MS Ed, Program Director, Faculty Development
This award recognizes administrative staff members in the SDM facility or SDM spaces across campus, who like Joshua Schwab have gone above and beyond their duties to improve the work environment for fellow staff members and their unit, while creating a culture of teamwork and positive influence.
Outstanding Clinical Staff Award
Annette Wand, Advanced Care Clinical Manager, and Taylor Hedman, Diagnostic Technician, Radioloy
This award recognizes clinical staff members at the CU SDM Anschutz Medical Campus SDM clinical facilities who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to the clinical mission of the CU SDM.
Outstanding Laboratory Research Service Professionals Award
Colette Dolby
Craniofacial Biology
This award recognizes LRSP’s (formerly PRA) working with CU SDM investigators on the CU SDM Anschutz Medical Campus.
Student and Resident Awards
Outstanding Contributions by a Dental Student
Austin Adams
DDS Class of 2025
This award recognizes one CU SDM student in the four-year DDS program who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment or contribution to the school through participation on committees and/or in other volunteer services, and/or who creates an inclusive, positive environment through teamwork and collaboration.
Outstanding Contributions by an Advanced Standing Student
Ana Selman, DMD
ISP Class of 2024
This award recognizes one CU SDM Advanced Standing student who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment or contribution to the school through participation on committees and/or in other volunteer services, and/or who creates an inclusive, positive environment through teamwork and collaboration.
Outstanding Contribution by a Resident
Daniel Mora-Plata, DDS
Graduate Periodontics Resident
This award recognizes one CU SDM resident in the Perio, Orthodontics or GPR programs who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment or contribution to the school through participation on committees and/or in other volunteer services, and/or who creates an inclusive, positive environment through teamwork and collaboration.
Alumni Award
Alumni Achievement Award
Amy Rosinsky, DDS
ACTS Preceptor, Howard Dental
The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes CU SDM graduates who are currently engaged with the SDM in a teaching or mentoring role who have achieved professional excellence in dentistry and have substantially contributed to advancing the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. This award recognizes excellence in dentistry through the advancement of the dental profession, improvement of community health, leadership, and other contributions to the growth and accomplishments of future public health professionals.
All 16 honorees were recognized at a school-wide celebratory event on September 12, 2024. The dental school community was invited to lunch outside followed by the awards presentation. View photos from the event here.
Congratulations to all the 2024 SDM Excellence Awards recipients. Thank you to all who nominated colleagues for these special awards, and to our Excellence Awards Selection Committee comprised of faculty, staff, and student representatives.
