Awards & Accolades: June 2019
In recent months, several faculty, staff, and students have been recognized for their singular achievements. We would like to send our whole-hearted congratulations to the following individuals, their mentors, and teams.
Comprehensive Dentistry
Dr. Jeffrey Hicks has had a busy first half of the year. In February, he was elected as Vice-Chair of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. In April, Dr. Hicks was presented the Saul Kamen Award by the Special Care Dentistry Association honoring his service and distinguished career improving oral healthcare for individuals with special needs. This summer, Dr. Hicks will begin his appointment to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry. In this capacity, Dr. Hicks and the committee members will advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on policy, program development, and other matters of significance concerning the medicine and dentistry activities under Section 747 of the PHS Act.
Dr. Juanita Lozano-Pineda received notification of award for the final year of the four-year Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students grant. The award was fully funded from July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 at $600,000. This will allow the School of Dentistry to provide 20 disadvantaged dental students with scholarships at $30,000 each! The grant benefits the enrollment and retention of students from disadvantaged and underserved areas by reducing their financial burden. The ultimate goal of the grant is to benefit the populations of underserved areas. To learn just how the grant hopes to accomplish that goal, READ MORE HERE.
Developmental Dentistry
If you haven’t already heard, come out from the rock you’ve been under – we have heroes in our midst! On Thursday, May 23, 2019, Dr. Kevin Donly and Dr. John Rugh were recognized as 2019 Health Care Heroes in Education by the San Antonio Business Journal. Both educators were featured by the UT Health San Antonio Newsroom and were individually interviewed for solo articles as well. You can read those pieces about Dr. Donly HERE and Dr. Rugh HERE. Some links may require a UTHSA log-in.
Dr. Hala AlSalman received an Honorable Mention for her 2019 American Board of Orthodontics Resident Case Display. 56 Universities participated to compete for 1st – 3rd placement and 7 honorable mentions. Dr. Ravikumar Anthony, Director of the Orthodontic Residency Program, remarked that “over 150 cases compete for the top spots; to be recognized is commendable”.
Endodontics
Dr. Asma Khan was presented with the Senior Faculty Research Award at the 10th IIMS Clinical Translational Research Day for her work entitled: "Endosomal TLR-8 Senses microRNA-1294 Resulting in the Production of NFkB Cytokines".
Dr. Obadah Austah is reported as the first endodontist to successfully receive the translational science Ph.D. at the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.
Newly minted Dr. Michael Eskander graduated with his D.D.S., Ph.D. on May 18th and will be starting his endodontics residency here at the UTHSA.
Office of Patient Care
Lupe Cruz and Jesse Padilla were featured by the UT Health San Antonio Newsroom in their May 28, 2019 issue. Both staff members were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the DS1 and DS2 students. Lupe and Jesse provide the students lab instruments and classroom supplies at the sim lab dispensary window.
Periodontics
Dr. Brij Singh received a Translational Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention (STARs) award from the UT System. This award includes a $500,000 grant to purchase equipment, renovate of facilities, and assist in the recruitment of particularly outstanding faculty for his research efforts. The UT Health Newsroom published a piece on Dr. Singh in May.
EDITOR'S NOTE: We are confident that many more faculty, staff, and students out there should be recognized for accomplishments, yet they are not listed here. Please help us report any awards, recognition, accolades, or simple acts of kindness by sending the information to SoDNews@uthscsa.edu.
