Dr. Oariona Lowe Named 2026 Alumnus of the Year
Pediatric dentistry leader honored for decades of service, global outreach, and commitment to underserved communities.
The UCLA School of Dentistry has named Oariona Lowe, M.A., D.D.S., P.D. ’84, M.P.H. ’16, as its 2026 Alumnus of the Year, recognizing her decades of leadership, service, and dedication to advancing oral health, especially for young and underserved populations.
The award was presented on Friday, May 15, at The FIFTH Rooftop Restaurant & Bar during the School’s annual alumni celebration, held in conjunction with California Dental Association (CDA) Presents the Art and Science of Dentistry.
“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award. I’d like to thank Dr. Paul Krebsbach, the Board of Counselors, and Dr. Francisco Ramos-Gomez for their support,” said Dr. Lowe. “Quoting Maya Angelou, ‘The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion, compassion, humor, style, generosity, and kindness.’”
A Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s 2020 Pediatric Dentist of the Year, Dr. Lowe has held numerous leadership roles across organized dentistry, including serving as a CDA trustee and as president of the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and Tri-County Dental Society. She is also a Fellow of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Member of the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, American Association of Women Dentists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and a graduate of the AAPD Leadership Institute at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the AAPD Advanced Leadership Institute at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Lowe has served as the Vice President of the AAPD Foundation for the past six years and is currently the Chair of the CSPD Foundation. Previously serving as the CSPD Foundation annual meeting chair for 15 years, she led a strong administrative team that worked tirelessly to stage successful conferences.
Dr. Lowe’s commitment to UCLA is equally notable. In June, she will conclude a two-year term as chair of the School’s Board of Counselors, where she has advanced the School’s mission, strengthened alumni engagement, and supported fundraising, particularly for the Section of Pediatric Dentistry. She also served on the School’s Executive Committee and several committees to support signature priorities for the dean, including the Board of Counselors’ Leadership Institute. Dr. Lowe co-chaired the UCLA Pediatric Dentistry Clinic Renovation Campaign and helped restart the Section’s annual Alumni Day in 2025 while regularly mentoring residents, including accompanying first-year pediatric dentistry students to the Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. A longtime lecturer, she continues to inspire future dental professionals in the clinic and beyond at UCLA and other dental schools.
Dr. Lowe also remains active in patient care. She and her husband, Dr. Evangelos Rossopoulos, opened their Whittier-based practice in 1987, and in 2023, she became dental director of Kids Community Dental Clinic in Burbank, a nonprofit providing care to low-income and uninsured children. Their office offers in-office IV sedation and hospital dentistry for patients who need specialized care. Dr. Lowe is a leader in advancing oral and systemic health, both locally and globally. She has served on faculties around the world and led global health efforts in Jamaica, Zambia, Morocco, Nepal, Vietnam, Sicily, and Sri Lanka.
“Dr. Lowe exemplifies the values of UCLA Dentistry through her leadership, generosity, and global perspective,” said Dean and Professor Paul H. Krebsbach. “Her lifelong dedication to service and education has made a profound and lasting impact, one that future generations of dental practitioners would be wise to emulate.”
First presented in 1987, the Alumnus of the Year Award honors graduates who demonstrate outstanding achievement in the dental profession and significant contributions to community service and the UCLA School of Dentistry.
