WIXLIB

Class of 2022CommencementThe University ofAlabama School of DentistryatThe University ofAlabama at BirminghamBartow ArenaSaturday, June 4, 2022 12:00 PM

The faculty of the School of Dentistrytakes the opportunity of theCommencement Ceremonyto acknowledge and congratulate ourstudents and wish all graduatesfulfillment and happiness in theprofession of dentistry.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAMProcessionalTe Deum by CharpentierWelcome & IntroductionsRussell S. Taichman, D.M.D., D.M.Sc.DeanNational AnthemMark Abere, D.M.D.Class of 2019Greetings from the Alabama Dental AssociationJames J. Phillips, Jr., D.M.D.President of the Alabama Dental AssociationGreetings from the School of DentistryAlumni AssociationJason Etherton, D.M.D.President-Elect of the Alumni AssociationLister Hill LectureRear Admiral Gayle D. Shaffer, deputy chief, U.S. NavyDeputy Surgeon General of the NavySpecial Awards PresentationAlabama Dental Alumni Association Award for LeadershipAlabama Dental Association (ALDA) Student Leadership AwardAmerican Student Dental Association (ASDA) Award of ExcellenceInternational College of Dentists Student Humanitarian AwardUAB National Alumni Society Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Award (D3)Joseph F. Volker AwardOKU InducteesEdward H. Bradford, Jr., D.D.S., M.P.H.Associate Professor, Department of Restorative SciencesPerng-Ru Liu, D.D.S., M.S., D.M.D.,Thomas P. Hinman Endowed Professorand Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs

Dean’s Medal PresentationRussell S. Taichman, D.M.D., D.M.Sc.DeanPresentation of GraduatesCarly Timmons McKenzie, Ph.D.,Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for AdmissionsNicolaas C. Geurs, D.D.S., M.S.,Weatherford/Palcanis Endowed Professor, Chair,Department of PeriodontologyWarren W. Arrasmith, D.M.D.,Thomas W. Jones Endowed Associate Professor andClinical Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAmjad Javed, M.Sc., Ph.D.,Professor, Interim Associate Dean for ResearchThe Dentist’s PledgeDentist Honor CodeMichelle A. Robinson, D.M.D., M.A.,Associate Professor and Senior Associate DeanCongratulations & Final Message to GraduatesRussell S. Taichman, D.M.D., D.M.Sc.DeanRecessionalRondeau by MouretPlease remain standing until after the recessional.Marshal for the FacultyJanice Jackson, D.M.D.,Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatric DentistryMarshal for the GraduatesChin-Chuan Fu, D.D.S., M.S.,Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Departmentof Restorative SciencesSonya T. Mitchell, D.M.D., M.S.H.A.,Associate Professor, Department of Clinical and Community Sciences

LISTER HILL LECTURESHIPApproximately half a century ago, the Century Club of the UAB School of Dentistryinaugurated the ‘Lister Hill Lecture’ series. The Century Club was a group of dedicatedalumni and friends who through their generosity, desired to perpetuate the legacy of SenatorLister Hill’s many contributions to the sponsorship of monumental legislation in the UnitedStates Senate.Senator Hill’s leadership provided funds that enabled thousands of medical professionalsto have better training, millions of dollars to be spent for the construction of needed healthresearch facilities, a National Library of Medicine to be created, and countless saved lives dueto his dedication to the cause of health research.Dr. Joseph F. Volker, then President of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and firstDean of the School of Dentistry presented the first address in 1970. Today, the address issupported by the University of Alabama School of Dentistry Alumni Association and iscelebrated as one of the highlights of the school’s annual Commencement ceremony. This year,we are privileged to have as the Lister Hill Lecturer,Rear Admiral Gayle D. Shaffer, deputy chief, U.S. NavyDeputy Surgeon General of the NavyRear Adm. Gayle Shaffer earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Alabama and aDoctor of Dental Medicine Degree from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. She earneda certificate in Comprehensive Dentistry from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School and holds amaster’s in health sciences from George Washington University. She received her commission as anensign in 1989.At sea, Shaffer served on USS Puget Sound (AD-38), completing two Mediterranean deployments.Ashore, her assignments include Naval Hospital Great Lakes; Great Lakes Naval Dental Center;clinic director, 2nd Dental Battalion, Camp Lejeune and Branch Dental Clinic, Naval Air Facility,Atsugi, Japan. She served as director, General Practice Residency; department head, HospitalDentistry Division, and director for Branch Health Clinics, National Naval Medical Center,Bethesda, MD.Shaffer served as executive officer, 1st Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center, Camp Pendleton and U.S.Naval Hospital Okinawa. She also served as commanding officer, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, FL.As an Individual Augmentee, Shaffer deployed as officer-in-charge of the Expeditionary MedicalFacility, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africaand Operation Enduring Freedom. She also deployed as commanding officer, NATO Role 3Multinational Medical Unit, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Freedom’sSentinel and Resolute Support, Train, Advise, Assist Command-South. Her staff assignmentsinclude assistant deputy chief, Medical Operations, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery;executive assistant to Navy deputy surgeon general, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery;liaison officer to the Defense Health Agency; director, Health Services, Headquarters Marine Corpsand Medical Officer of the Marine Corps; deputy chief, Operations, Plans and Readiness, U.S. NavyBureau of Medicine and Surgery; and 38th chief of the Navy Dental Corps.Shaffer maintains board certification in the American Board of General Dentistry, and is a fellow ofthe Academy of General Dentistry and International College of Dentists.Shaffer began serving as the Navy deputy surgeon general and deputy chief, U.S. Navy Bureau ofMedicine and Surgery Feb. 28, 2020.Shaffer’s awards are the result of being surrounded by incredible shipmates and they include theLegion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards) and various unit andcampaign awards.

2022 AwardsConvocation

Special HonorsOMICRON KAPPA UPSILONOmicron Kappa Upsilon is the national honorary dental fraternity.Students are elected to membership on the basis of scholarship andprofessional stature.D4 Alumni MembersRyan Boyd ElkinsTanner Cole GodfreyMakenzie Kitchens JohnsonVirginia Claire LoebSarah Gwin MooreAlexander Thomas MathewsKatie Li PowersIDP Alumni MemberMelissa Maria Lopez

2022 Presented AwardsThe Alabama Dental Alumni Association Award for LeadershipThe recipient of this award is a member of the graduating classwho has displayed outstanding leadership in school affairs. Heor she is selected by the upperclassmen of the student body. Inaddition to the recognition, the Alumni Association provides amonetary award to the recipient.The Alabama Dental Association Student Leadership AwardThe recipient of this award is presented to a graduating D4 whohas demonstrated leadership qualities as a student. In selecting thecandidates for this award, the faculty of the School of Dentistry hasexpressed the belief that the recipient has the potential to becomea future leader within the profession possessing the motivationand dedication to pursue the betterment of the health of his or herpatients and the advancement of the standards of the profession.The American Student Dental Association Award of ExcellenceThis award honors the spirit of volunteerism and recognizesstudent leadership and participation in service to their schooland local community. It is the belief of the faculty of the Schoolof Dentistry that the recipient of this award has the potential tobecome an active participant in furthering the cause of organizeddentistry.The International College of Dentists Student HumanitarianAwardThis award honors a graduate who not only exemplified anddemonstrated passion for altruistic humanitarian service during his/her student years but has great potential to continue to do so.

2022 Presented AwardsThe Joseph F. Volker AwardThis award is bestowed annually upon a graduating student whohas epitomized the team concept by selflessly helping classmatesthroughout their dental education. The recipient has worked for thegood of the school and student body and is selected by a vote ofthe entire D4 class.The UAB National Alumni Society Distinguished AlumniScholarship AwardThis award is presented each year to a student in honor of theprevious year’s NAS Distinguished Alumni awardee. The onetime scholarship is given to a student enrolled in the school orcourse of study of the winner of UAB’s highest alumni honor. The2020 distinguished alumni award winner was School of Dentistryalumnus Dr. Ben Cumbus.

2022 AwardsAcademy of General Dentistry Student AwardCelia Lillian-Claire Bonnet & Valerie Johana Castro VelezAcademy of Operative DentistryLuis Angel AbrahanteAcademy of OsseointegrationValerie Johana Castro VelezThe American Academy of Esthetic DentistryCarolina Cohen Vaz BragaThe American Academy of Implant DentistryDaniel Macon HendersonAmerican Academy of Oral MedicineVirginia Claire LoebAmerican Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology(Leonard Robinson Award)Cody Phillip SantoraAmerican Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial RadiologyJackson Michael GunterAmerican Academy of Orofacial Pain OutstandingSenior Student AwardLuis Angel AbrahanteAmerican Academy of Pediatric DentistryAlexa Ruttenberg MartinThe American Academy of Periodontology Dental StudentAward for Achievement in PeriodontologyKatie Li PowersAmerican Association of EndodonticsCody Phillip Santora

American Association of Oral & MaxillofacialSurgeons/Dental Implant Student AwardAlexander Thomas MathewsAmerican Association of Oral & MaxillofacialSurgeons Dental Student Award/OMS & AnesthesiologyTimothy Cale KregerAmerican Association of OrthodonticsTanner Cole GodfreyAmerican Association of Public Health DentistryAna Elizabeth Ospina CastilleroAmerican College of DentistsKatherine Ann PaulettAmerican College of Prosthodontics Undergraduate Award(Palmi Mollier Merit)Morgan Nicole CollinsAmerican Dental Society of AnesthesiologyAndra AndreiBirmingham District Dental Society AwardThieu Anh VoPierre Fauchard Academy Oral Health Foundation StudentScholarship (D3)Crystal M. SmithPierre Fauchard Academy Senior Student AwardCody Phillip SantoraInternational College of Dentists Student Leadership AwardTanner Cole GodfreyInternational Congress of Oral ImplantologistPredoctoral Student Achievement AwardLuis Angel AbrahanteDr. Chau Ngoc Lam Scholarship AwardNia Renee Taylor

William Lionell McCracken Memorial AwardValerie Johana Castro VelezOKU Kramer Award of Excellence (D3)Linh M. TranQuintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in PeriodonticsSarah Gwin MooreQuintessence Award for Research AchievementTanner Cole GodfreyQuintessence Award for Clinical Achievement & RestorativeDentistryCody Phillip SantoraLeon Schneyer AwardMakenzie Kitchens JohnsonVirginia Claire LoebAlexander Thomas MathewsJessica Marie MitchumAna Elizabeth Ospina CastilleroAlyssa Raj PatelJulia Thach Thao PhamKatie Li PowersDr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Student Leadership Award-ADEANia Renee TaylorSociety for Color and Appearance in DentistryLindsey Ann CrnalicThe Southeastern Academy of ProsthodonticsAsisan KalsiBrian D. Stone Memorial Award Dental Lifeline NetworkThieu Anh VoWhip-Mix Hanau Best of the Best Prosthodontics AwardCody Phillip Santora