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School of Dentistry awardees of 2024 Presidential Excellence Awards

  • Contributor
  • Wednesday, February 28, 2024
(From left to right) Lea El Hachem, DDS, MS, FICD, associate professor and director of the pre-doctoral division in the department of periodontics, and Nikita B. Ruparel, DDS, PhD, MS, associate professor and director of the advanced program in the department of endodontics.
(From left to right) Lea El Hachem, DDS, MS, FICD, Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, and Nikita B. Ruparel, DDS, PhD, MS, associate professor and director of the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics, Department of Endodontics.


UT Health San Antonio President William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, announced the 2024 Presidential Excellence Award winners on Feb. 12. Among those honorees are two exceptional members from the School of Dentistry, who will be celebrated at a special awards dinner with a plaque and a cash award.

Lea El Hachem, DDS, MS, FICD, associate professor in the Department of Periodontics, will be presented with the Teaching Excellence – Emerging Award. 

Nikita B. Ruparel, DDS, PhD, MS, associate professor and director of the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics in the Department of Endodontics, will receive the Teaching Excellence – Sustained Award.

"I encourage you to find Dr. Hachem and Dr. Ruparel to congratulate them on their commendable achievements. These awards reflect the high regard both individuals hold within our school and institution," said Dean Peter Loomer.

We hope you will join us as our School celebrates both Hachem and Ruparel on jobs well done and for their commitment to the mission and core values of UT Health San Antonio.

To see the full list of the 2024 Presidential Excellence Awards recipients, please click here. 

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