Alumni Awards | UCLA Dentistry

Celebrating Our Own

The UCLA School of Dentistry is proud to continue its tradition of recognizing distinguished alumni for their special contributions and achievements. The Alumnus of the Year Award goes to a Bruin whose achievements have made substantial contributions to their profession and community, and whose accomplishments serve as a beacon for others. Learn about past winners below and nominate a dental Bruin today.

Alumnus of the Year Award

Nominations for the 2025 Alumnus of the Year are now open. All degree and certificate holders are eligible to be nominated by any member of the community. The award recipient will be publicly announced on May 16, 2025 during our annual alumni celebration held in conjunction with CDA Anaheim, and will join a list of individuals who have made sterling contributions to the advancement of dentistry, education, leadership, and public service.

Click here to nominate a Dental Bruin today! Nominations are due by 11:59 pm on March 5, 2025.

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 2025 nomination period is now open. Thank you in
advance for your submissions!

1. All nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 5, 2025
using our online nomination form.

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

3. Each nomination must explain 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 2025 during the Annual CDA Alumni Reception.

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.

Recipient List

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)
2024 Mark Ortega, DDS '15 (story)