Congratulations
to Our Graduates
The 46th commencement
ceremony of the LSUSD
School of Dentistry was
held on May 18, 2017. This
year 64 students received
the doctor of dental
surgery, 37 received
bachelors of science in
dental hygiene, and two
received the associate
degree in dental
laboratory technology
(DLT). At the Recognition
Ceremony held on May 17 at
the dental school,
departments and
professional associations
presented awards to the
many deserving students.
The top students from
each program received the
Dean's and Chancellor's
Awards. Recipients of the
Dean’s Award were Tam
Nguyen (DLT), Catherine
Garcia (Dental
Hygiene), and Kramer
Sherman (DDS).
The Chancellor's Award was
presented to Brett
Perkins (DLT),
Paige Mitchell (Dental
Hygiene), and Thuy
Nguyen (DDS).
Among the numerous awards
given at the Recognition
Ceremony were leadership
awards from the LSUSD
Alumni Association.
Keynote speaker Claudia
Cavallino, DDS, alumni
association president,
presented awards to school
officers Lindi
Perkins, Kat O'Hara,
Alexa Quigley,
and Brett Perkins.
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Leadership
Award recipients
(l-r) Lindi
Perkins, Alexa
Quigley, Dean
Gremillion, Brett
Perkins, Kat
O'Hara |
Faculty members were
honored for excellence in
teaching. Chosen by the
graduating class of each
program, recipients of
Golden Apple Awards were Toby
Cheramie, DDS,
assistant dean of
admissions, student
affairs and alumni; Heather
Allen, RDH, MSHCM,
assistant clinical
professor of dental
hygiene; and David
Vela, associate
professor of
prosthodontics-dental
laboratory technology.
Sydney Guidroz, dental
class president, delivered
the closing address. She
told her fellow graduates,
"I am hopeful that your
individual expectations of
yourselves result in
quality care of and caring
for those whom you will be
privileged to treat and
great reward as your
careers flourish."
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Dr.
Claudia Cavallino,
alumni association
president, with
Dr. Gremillion |
Dr.
Tommy Giacona Receives
Copping Award
During the commencement
ceremony each year, the
Allen A. Copping
Excellence in Teaching
Award is presented to one
faculty member in each of
the six schools of LSU
Health New Orleans. The
dental school award
recipient for 2017 is F.
Thomas Giacona, DDS,
assistant professor of
Comprehensive Dentistry
and Biomaterials. Dr.
Giacona received his DDS
from LSUSD in 1977.
Following graduation, he
entered private practice
in general dentistry while
also providing dental care
to children in dental
clinics in city-run
housing developments. In
1998 he joined LSUSD as a
part-time clinical
instructor in the
Department of General
Dentistry; meanwhile in
2002 he began a solo
private dental practice.
He became a full-time
faculty member in 2009,
and currently serves as
head of the divisions of
operative dentistry and
clinical comprehensive
dentistry. The recipient
of numerous honors and
awards for his service to
the LDA, NODA, Louisiana
State Board of Dentistry,
and other organizations,
he is also a Fellow of the
American College of
Dentistry and the
International College of
Dentistry. His tireless
efforts in student
advocacy are recognized by
all. As both a part- and
full-time member of the
LSUSD faculty, Dr. Giacona
has played a significant
role in the educational
program.
|
Dr.
Tommy Giacona,
2017 recipient of
the Allen A.
Copping Excellence
in Teaching Award |
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