Alumni Awards

Alumnus of the Year Award
Alumnus of the Year Award
Alumni
Celebrating Our Own

The UCLA Dentistry Alumnus of the Year Award goes to a Bruin whose accomplishments serve as a beacon for others. The award honors an individual whose achievements have made substantial contributions to their profession and community. Learn about past winners and nominate a dental Bruin today. 

Alumnus of the Year Award

The UCLA School of Dentistry is proud to announce Anh Le, D.D.S. ’92, Ph.D./O.M.F.S. ‘98 – one of the nation’s most respected oral and maxillofacial surgeons – as our 2023 Alumnus of the Year! Read more about Dr. Le in our feature story.

Each year, the Alumnus of the Year award recipient joins a list of individuals who have made sterling contributions to the advancement of dentistry, education, leadership, and public service. 

Award Criteria

Please consider the following as you submit your nomination:

1. The nominee must show participation, service and leadership in the advancement of dentistry and dental health at the local, state, national or international level. 

2. The nominee must show participation and leadership in public service and/or community service at the local, state, national or international level. 

3. The nominee must be of good moral character and have made outstanding contributions to the dental profession in one or more of the following categories: art, science, scientific literature, organized dentistry, public service, outstanding service or contributions to the UCLA School of Dentistry.

Nomination Process

The 2022 Application period is now open. Thank you in advance for submitting your nominations. 

1. All nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on February 1, 2022 using our online nomination form.

2. Any member of the community (alumni, colleagues, friends, family, office staff, etc.) can nominate a UCLA Dentistry alumnus (degree or certificate holder).

3. Each nomination package must contain a nominating statement as to why the nominee is worthy of such recognition. Supporting documentation is optional but preferred.

4. Current members of the Dental Alumni Association Board are not eligible for this award.

5. Previous recipients are not eligible for this award.

6. The honoree will be announced publicly in May 2022.

Nominate a Bruin Today

Past Award Recipients

Past recipients of UCLA Dentistry Alumnus of the Year Award have contributed significantly in their communities, distinguished themselves as public servants and volunteers, and set new standards of excellence in the dentistry profession or their alumni network.

Past Award Recipients

  • 1987: Jean Savage, DDS '71
  • 1988: Stuart White, DDS ’68
  • 1989: Roger Lent, DDS ’73
  • 1990: Glenn Clark, DDS ’74
  • 1991: Michael Gary Newman, DDS ’72
  • 1992: Arthur Hand, DDS ’68
  • 1995: Ronald Taylor, DDS '69 and Ronald Tremmel, DDS ’69
  • 1997: Joan Otomo-Corgel, DDS ’76, MPH ’80
  • 1998: Samuel Aanestad, DDS '73
  • 1999: Kent Farnsworth, DDS '70
  • 2000: Robert Merin, DDS’70
  • 2001: Jack Broussard, DDS ’76
  • 2002: Ronald Mito, DDS ’76, GP ’77
  • 2003: Russell Webb, DDS ’78, OS ’81
  • 2004: John Yagiela, DDS '71
  • 2005: Naomi Ellison, DDS ’81
  • 2006: Alan Felsenfeld, DDS ’74
  • 2007: William Morgan, DDS ’73
  • 2008: Carol Bibb, DDS ’78
  • 2009: Melanie Gullet, DDS ’83
  • 2010: Edmond Hewlett, DDS ’80, AP ’03
  • 2011: Richard Stevenson III, DDS ’86
  • 2012: Gary Parker, DDS ’77, GP ’78, OS ’82
  • 2013: Gregory Prince, DDS ’73, PhD ’75
  • 2014: Douglas Yoon, DDS ’83 & Adam Chen, DDS ’83
  • 2021: Jessica (De Bord) Webb, DDS ’07 & Lawrence E. Wolinsky, PhD,
    DMD, P '86 (story)
  • 2022: Konita Wilks, DDS '11, PD '14 (story)
  • 2023: Anh Le, DDS '92, PhD/OMFS '98 (story)

Contact Us

Christy Colburn
Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations
ccolburn@support.ucla.edu