UB Dental Students Receive Awards

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thirty-three graduating seniors in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine recently received awards at the school's annual senior awards banquet.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York system.

The award winners are:

• Christopher Steed of Pine City, the Academy of Operative Dentistry Award, given to a student best exemplifying outstanding achievement in operative dentistry; the International College of Dentists Award, presented to the student showing the greatest professional growth and development in the dental school; the Donald Kozlowski Memorial Award, presented to the student who is judged by his/her colleagues as the most respected based on overall achievement and attitude during dental school instruction, and membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society.

• Annette Maria Kugelmann of Germany, the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators Award, presented to a student showing outstanding qualities in intra coronal cast gold restorations (inlays and onlays), as well as direct gold and rubber dam applications; the Robert B. Levine Award for operative dentistry; the Dr. Samuel A. Caccamise Award, presented to the student who completes the best work in gold (inlays, onlays or crowns), and the George B. Snow Award: Second Place, Fixed Prosthesis.

• Aaron T. McCann of Orchard Park, the Delta Sigma Delta Award, presented to a student who, in the opinion of the faculty, demonstrates the greatest proficiency in operative dentistry; the American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award, presented to a student who demonstrated a special interest in community dentistry and dental public health; the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award, for a student exhibiting leadership and excelling in both the academic and clinic aspects of the program, and the Erie County Dental Society Chester A. Glor Award, presented to a student who is a long-time resident of Erie County and exemplifies the qualities demonstrated by Dr. Glor, whose career spanned more than 50 years and was characterized by his love of dentistry, his collegiality and generosity to his colleagues and community.

• Michael C. Piazza of Rochester, the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry Award, presented to the student with the most clinical proficiency and interest in esthetic dentistry; the Victor A. Fumia Award, second-place honors, given for excellence in fixed prosthodontics in the memory of Dr. Fumia, a graduate of bothe UB pharmacy and dental schools; the George B. Snow Award: First Place, Fixed Prosthesis, and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award, given in recognition of exceptional interest and accomplishment in oral radiology.

• Alexandra Cernasov of Queens, the Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry.

• Woodley Desir of Brooklyn, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists Award and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Award, presented for outstanding ability and interest in pain control

• Hongsa Situ of China, the Dentsply Merit Award in Removable Prosthodontics; the Water Pik Technologies Prosthodontics Award, the American Association of Endodontists Award, the American College of Dentists Award, presented to a student for outstanding clinical skills in the art and science of dentistry, based on clinical achievement, initiative and scholarship, and membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society.

• Patrick A. DeRose of Olean, the American College of Prosthodontists Award and membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Jeffrey DeRose of Buffalo, the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award, presented to a student with the greatest interest and commitment to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain, and the American Academy of Oral Medicine Award.

• Wilkie S. Paes of Bellrose, the Fixed Prosthetic Award and the Edwin C. Jauch Award, presented to a student who presented complete, comprehensive cases to a panel of judges that determined which case was most outstanding.

• Ellen M. Nam of Los Angeles, the First Place Victor A. Fumia Award, given for excellence in fixed prosthodontics in the memory of Dr. Fumia, a graduate of the UB pharmacy and dental schools.

• Brigid E. Fitch of Rochester, the George B. Snow Award: First Place, Complete Prosthesis, and the Dental Alumni Award, presented to a student based on academic standing, clinical achievement, personality and participation in university and other activities.

• Caprice Dakwar of Niagara Falls, the George B. Snow Award: Second Place, Complete Prosthesis.

• Michael Sean Adsit of Boonville, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award and the Richard A. Powell Award, presented to a student who has displayed outstanding service, achievement and dedication to the UB School of Dental Medicine.

• Sikrita Bedi of Albany, the Organization of Teachers of Oral Diagnosis Award.

• Emily Jean Rotundo of Bernhards Bay, the Stephen B. Totten Memorial Award, presented to the student who has done the most significant work in the field of oncology.

• Adam Pristera of Frankfort, the American Academy of Periodontology Award; the Alpha Omega Fraternity Award and the Barrett Foundation Prize, both presented to the student who has attained the highest scholastic average for four years of dental study; and membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Chetan Shyam Patil of Poughquag, the Lester Schatz Memorial Award, presented to the student who has shown excellence in preventive dentistry; the American Association of Oral Biologists Award, and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Research Award, presented to the student who has made an outstanding contribution to the science of dentistry through research activity.

• Sunny Leong of Edmonton, Alberta, the Northeastern Society of Periodontists Award; the American Association of Orthodontists Award, presented to the student who has demonstrated exceptional interest in the development of the orofacial complex; the Quintessence Award for Research Achievement; the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Award, and membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Rosie K. Mangat of Grand Island, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award.

• David Smith of Fresno, Calif., the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award, presented to the student who has demonstrated exemplary aptitude and achievement in the field of oral surgery, and membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Tara L. Halliwell of Buffalo, the Oral Surgery Award, presented to the student who has demonstrated academic excellence and clinical proficiency in this discipline.

• Jill Zurek of Utica, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Predoctoral Student Award, presented to students who show interest and proficiency in the care of young patients, and the Eleanor Bushee Award, presented by the American Association of Women Dentists to recognize a female student who has demonstrated both academic excellence and outstanding leadership.

• Mengyu Tsai of Skokie, Ill., Pediatric and Community Dentistry Department Award.

• Amanda Rockwood of Gorham, Maine, the Academy of General Dentistry Award, presented to the student who has shown the most promise of becoming an outstanding general dentist.

• Gregory Lowenguth of Ontario, N.Y., the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration Award, presented to the student who has shown the most professional growth in managerial skills and development of outstanding performance in four-handed dentistry.

• Michael Coleman of Binghamton, the Harvey D. Sprowl Award, initiated by the Class of 1994, and given by the senior year clinical faculty to a student who has consistently displayed a genuine concern for patients' needs, has shown a passion for the delivery of quality comprehensive care and has "gone beyond the call of duty." Coleman also was selected to membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Amar Bhandari of Vestal, the Fonzi Dental Study Club, Anthony S. Gugino Humanitarian Award, given in honor of Dr. Gugino to recognize a graduating dental student who has demonstrated those qualities exemplified by Dr. Gugino, namely: unselfishness, total involvement in dentistry, high moral character and helpfulness to fellow students. Bhandari also was presented the New York State Dental Association Student Leadership Award, given to a student of high moral character who has been actively involved in promoting dental student interests in organized dentistry through the American Student Dental Association, and membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Craig M. DeCastro of Oneida, membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Joshua M. Haremza of Naples, membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Kyle J. Saisselin of Oswego, membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.

• Amy Gallo of Cheektowaga, the Quintessence Award in Periodontics.

• Nader Ehsani of Tehran, Iran and Forest Hills, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Implant Award, presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and performance related to the placement and restoration of dental implants.