Dental hygienists, students recognized by peers

Throughout National Dental Hygiene Month, the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene recognized registered dental hygienists and hygiene students who have made a positive impact on the lives of others.

Spotlights were shared every week with the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry community, with three to four recognitions each week across October.

Spotlights included:

• Week 1
  • Catalina Cavazos, second-year dental hygiene student
    
    Nominator Comments: I met Cat around school because she was always welcoming and easy to talk to! Since meeting her, she has selflessly helped me out so many times, whether it was reaching out to her class multiple times as a whole on my behalf to help me with my research. Another time, she was so patient and helped me understand some of the concepts that hygiene students look deeper into. All around, Catalina is joyful and excited to help in whatever way she can!
    
    
  • Ilona Rutkowska, RDH, DH Class of 2015, staff hygienist in UT Dentists
    
    Nominator Comments: Ilona has positively influenced me and patients through her professionalism and excellent patient care. She has taken care of patients and dentists with her consistent concern for the patients of UT Dentists and their oral health. She is also concerned with the overall health of all the patients she sees by her thoroughness in gathering medical and dental history.
    
    
  • Leanna Nguyen, RDH, MS, assistant professor
    
    Nominator Comments: Professor Nguyen is someone who I aspire to be. She is an excellent clinician and has taught me so many clinical techniques. I hope that one day, I’ll be as great of a clinician as her.
    
    
  • Tulsi Patel, RDH, MHA, associate professor, director of the Center for Health Promotion
    
    Nominator Comments: Professor Patel has significantly impacted the community through dedicated efforts to promote oral health and wellness. She has empowered students, patients, and faculty to take charge of their oral health by leading the Central for Health Promotion, providing personalized care, and offering invaluable advice and leadership with care, professionalism, and empathy. Her compassionate approach and commitment to excellence inspire many to adopt healthier habits, leading dental students, dental hygiene students, faculty, and patients to become outstanding promoters of dental health and overall health.

• Week 2
  • Harold Henson, RHD, PhD, DH Class of 1995, interim director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, interim director of dental hygiene
    
    Nominator Comments: Henson has been a wonderful friend, mentor, and inspiration to me since I began working at the School of Dentistry five years ago. He has taught me many things, and I admire his positive spirit and generous nature. Dr. Henson is kind to everyone he meets and always listens when people speak. He’s a wonderful professor and colleague, as well as an incredible hygienist!
    
    
  • Amanda Pham, second-year dental hygiene student
    
    Nominator Comments: Amanda Pham has been an incredible influence at our dental school, serving as the ADEA Dental Hygiene representative with exceptional dedication. Her commitment to supporting both her class and incoming students is truly commendable, as she consistently ensures that everyone feels supported and prepared for success. Amanda is always approachable, offering guidance and advice with genuine care. Her efforts have not only enriched our educational experience but have also created a stronger, more connected community within the school.
    
    
  • Grace Zhao, RDH, dental hygienist in University Dental Center
    
    Nominator Comments: Grace has inspired us all in this office with her uplifting and positive attitude. She is always kind and asks how you are doing. The patients always have amazing things to say about her. She gives with the kindness in her heart, and for that, we appreciate her. We enjoy working with her and hope to do so for years to come.

• Week 3
  • Emily Andrade De Leon, RDH, DH Class of 2000, practicing dental hygiene in Houston
    
    Nominator Comments: Emily was one of the dental hygienists in the greater Houston area that I had the opportunity to shadow before starting dental hygiene school. She showed me how passionate she was in her field through the compassionate care that she provided to every patient. I was further drawn into the field after observing the relationship she had built with her patient, which impacted their life and oral health! Nevertheless, Emily has inspired me to continue my journey in dental hygiene in order to provide exceptional care like her to all of my future patients.
    
    
  • Sumayyah King, RDH, MS, assistant professor
    
    Nominator Comments: When the TSBDE drafted rules for the administration of local anesthesia by dental hygienists, faculty members formed a team to develop a high-quality continuing education program for the certification credentials. A key member of that team is Sumayyah King, RDH, MS. Bringing an experienced dental hygiene perspective to this program, Ms. King developed an excellent online contribution to the didactic component of the course, and her role in the clinical, hands-on training program was critical for the success of the course. As a dental hygienist certified in all types of local anesthetic injections in another state, the experience and knowledge of Ms. King elevated the course content to a level of excellence.
    
    
  • Ivan Medellin, second-year dental hygiene student
    
    Nominator Comments: Ivan has shown to be a great provider for his patients. He always goes the extra mile to ensure the patient is getting the best care possible. He is a great class president, making sure to help make changes for our class and the future classes that follow.

• Week 4
  • Victoria Boreman, second-year dental hygiene student
    
    Nominator Comments: Victoria has helped me in so many ways to be the best dental hygiene student. She always goes out of her way to help others.
    
    
  • Darlene Glover, RDH, dental assistant instructor at Clear Creek ISD
    
    Nominator Comments: Glover teaches a dental assisting class for high school students interested in dentistry or those who are planning to pursue a dental career. She gave me my first perspective on dentistry, and from there, I decided to pursue a dental career. I am currently a second-year dental hygiene student. Without Ms. Glover’s compassion for dentistry and oral hygiene, I do not think I’d be in the position I am in today. I wish that all dental hygienists had as big of a heart as Ms. Glover!!
    
    
  • Courtney Routh, RDH, BSDH ’06, MSDH ’23, assistant professor
    
    Nominator Comments: Professor Routh is very passionate about dental hygiene, and it shows in her lectures and when in the clinic. She makes learning exciting and interesting. She inspires me to be just as passionate about dental hygiene.

• Week 5
  • Monica Alaniz, RDH
    
    Nominator Comments: My practice has treated special needs patients for years. It has been difficult to find hygienists who are both skilled and willing to treat them. Monica is an individual who excels in the treatment of my physically and mentally challenged patients. She is patient and gentle. She sings to them while she works, and they react positively to her voice and her touch. Monica is a hard worker who never complains and relishes the challenges of her profession. She is an outstanding hygienist and an even better human being.
    
    
  • Hannah Medrano, RDH, BSDH ’11, assistant professor
    
    Nominator Comments: Professor Medrano is an amazing clinician. She is so kind and very knowledgeable. She has taught me a lot in clinic, and I’m grateful for her.
    
    
  • Raha Naderi, RDH, BSDH ’09, MEd, assistant professor, director of community outreach
    
    Nominator Comments: Professor Naderi is our remarkable director for community outreach, whose passion for providing care to underserved communities is truly inspiring. Her commitment to integrating service learning for students has created a nurturing environment where compassion and hands-on experience go hand in hand, preparing the next generation of empathetic professionals. Her dedication is evident in the countless hours she spends organizing community events during the week and providing care on weekends.