After four rigorous years of dental school, members of the Class of 2026 is days away from walking across the stage to receive their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees.
Ahead of UConn Health’s 55th Commencement on May 11, the students gathered with their fellow classmates and faculty at the annual senior awards ceremony to celebrate their many accomplishments.
At the celebration, held at the New Britain Museum of American Art, students and faculty were presented with awards.
“I congratulate each of our soon-to- be new graduates for completing arguably, one of the most challenging and rigorous dental programs anywhere,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine, in his remarks. “In doing so, we are confident that you are well prepared to enter the profession and exceptionally well trained and competent beginning practitioners – and you are well poised to face the challenges of the next phase of your professional careers.”
Lepowsky continued, “You may have chosen UConn for your dental education for a variety of reasons. Regardless of the reasons, thank you for letting us be part of your lives and thank you for enriching our school community. Most importantly, thank you in advance for representing the School of Dental Medicine for years to come. You will be carrying on a tradition of excellence that makes us who we are as a school.”
Cynara McPhail, president of the School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association Board and 1984 graduate of the School of Dental Medicine, made remarks to the students.
“I know it was not easy and at times downright frustrating,” said McPhail. “You probably never thought you would be here tonight. But you are, and your hard work has paid off. You should be proud of all your accomplishments, big and small. In my general practice office, we have soon-to-be four dentists – all of us have graduated from UConn. In fact, all of the associates I have had, have been UConn grads, largely because I know the education and experience you receive and I know you are ready for private practice. So you can do this!”
During the student awards recognition ceremony, Dr. Foteini Touloumi was announced as this year’s Kaiser Permanente award winner for excellence in teaching and Dr. Hang Le received the South Park Inn Award for outstanding service to the community.
Earlier in the week, the School of Dental Medicine hosted an induction ceremony for the Phi Chi Chapter of the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) National Dental Honor Society.
Suzanne Allen, Mitchell Andrea, Erin Carroll, Samuel Majek, Lenka Serdar, and Princess Stark were inducted for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, professionalism, and ethics.
Touloumi was also inducted as the faculty inductee.
“OKU honors individuals who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, strong character, integrity and the promise of future professional achievement,” said Dr. Bina Katechia, president of the Phi Chi chapter. “It doesn’t just honor what they have achieved. It reflects the kind of professional they are becoming.”
The full list of student awards is below.
Academy of General Dentistry Future Leader in General Dentistry Award
Andrea Mitchell
Academy of Operative Dentistry Award
Margaret Mirabella
Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry
Erin Carroll
ADEA Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award
Stephen Ogarekpe
Allan B. Reiskin Award
Demetria Tsitsopoulos
American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Student Award of Merit
Artime Vinca
American Academy of Implant Dentistry Student Award
Vivian Van
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award
Suzanne Allen
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award
Rachel Altamirano
American Academy of Oral Medicine Award
Cody Johnson
American Academy of Orofacial Pain Outstanding Senior Award
Keelin Hurtt
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certificate of Merit
Maxwell Marks
American Academy of Periodontology Award
Evan Perlroth
American Association of Endodontists Student Achievement Award
Jadon Melecio
American Association of Orthodontists Award
Michaela Murdock
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
Kavya Uddaraju
American Association of Women Dentists Eleanor J. Bushee Senior Dental Student Award
Alexis Vasciannie
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student Award
Samuel Majek
American College of Dentists Outstanding Student Leadership Award
Maxwell Marks
American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award (William W. Bell Award)
George Bloom
American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award
Cody Johnson
American Prosthodontic Society Award
Kim Luu
ASDA Award of Excellence
Demitria Tsitsopoulos
Commencement Speaker
Maxwell Marks
Connecticut Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award
Pasquale Cannata
Dr. Richard G. Topazian Prize
Princess Stark
Dr. Robert G. Levine Award
Thomas Perkins
Dr. Surender Nanda Memorial Award
Lingli Zou
EDIC Lamont MacNeil Educational Scholarship
Suzanne Allen
Friends of the School of Dental Medicine – Fox Award
Suzanne Allen
Hanau™ “Best of the Best” Prosthodontic Award
Vlad Ilies
Health Careers Bridge Award
Jaelon Blandburg
Hebaq Elmi
Princess Stark
Lingli Zou
Horace Wells Senior Student Award (American Dental Society of Anesthesiology)
Jaelon Blandburg
International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award
Luis Romero
International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award
Maxwell Marks
International Congress of Oral Implantologists/Dentsply Student Achievement Award
Lenka Serdar
Kohrman Award
Thomas Aquista
Northeastern Society of Periodontists Award
Sarah Herbsman
Olmstead Prize in Geriatrics
Hebaq Elmi
Phi Chi Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon 2026 Inductees
Suzanne Allen
Mitchell Andrea
Erin Carroll
Samuel Majek
Lenka Serdar
Princess Stark
Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry
Jenna Whelan
South Park Inn Dental Clinic Award
Makara Sorel
Special Care Dentistry Association/Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Award
Desirae Lee
The Alumni Relations Award
Stephen Aledort
The Brian D. Stone Student Memorial Award
Catherine Tang
The Pierre Fauchard Academy Award
Luis Romero
The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Periodontics
Kim Luu
The Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry
Thomas Acquista
The Quintessence Award for Research Achievement
Vlad Ilies
U.S. Public Health Service Dental Award of Excellence
Desirae Lee
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine Professional Development Award
Sherrill Brantley
Tristan Duffey
