DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD

from Chat Spring 2021

800 CHATHAM HALL CIRCLE: CAMPUS NEWS

The Chatham Hall Distinguished Alumna Award was established in 2010 to recognize distinguished graduates representing diverse professions and interests. The Distinguished Alumna Award recognizes Chatham Hall graduates who embody the characteristics and values of Chatham Hall, such as honor, respect, and integrity.

Keels ’75 Named 2021 Distinguished Alumna Award Winner

Dr. Martha Ann Keels ’75, a pediatric dentist currently serving on the American Dental Association (ADA) Council of Scientific Affairs and the Science Committee of the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry (IAPD), was named the 2021 Distinguished Alumna Award recipient.

“Martha Ann’s contributions to pediatric dentistry are numerous, and her service to the pediatric dental community vast,” said Rector Rachel Connell. “I congratulate Martha Ann on her myriad professional accomplishments, and am thrilled to honor her as one of our alumnae truly contributing to her various communities.”

After graduating from Chatham Hall, Keels completed her undergraduate education at Duke University majoring in chemistry. She received her dental degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC) and was the recipient of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Dentist-Scientist Award, which funded specialty training in pediatric dentistry and Ph.D. training in epidemiology at UNC. Subsequently, Keels established the pediatric dental program at Duke University and served as the division chief of pediatric dentistry at Duke Children’s Hospital for 25 years. She is board certified in pediatric dentistry and has served on the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Examination Committee. She is founder and owner of Duke Street Pediatric Dentistry in Durham. “After getting over the shock of being honored with this award, I immediately thought of how grateful I was for my four years at Chatham Hall and all my wonderful classmates and teachers,” said Keels. “Living through this pandemic has required incredible resiliency. I credit the Chatham Hall experience for laying the foundation that Chatham Hall girls are survivors and leaders especially during times of stress.” Keels holds fellowships in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. As a dental student, she was elected to membership in OKU Honor Dental Fraternity. She has served as president of the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; on the editorial board of Pediatric Dentistry; and on the Council for Clinical Affairs and the Council of Scientific Affairs for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Keels was chair of the Section on Oral Health within the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). In 2021 she received the Distinguished Service Award from the AAP. Keels has received NIH funding for an epidemiological study of fluoridation and is currently funded by the NIH assessing dental care risk factors in children and undiagnosed genetic diseases. She continues to study dental acid erosion and dental care for children with special health care needs. She is married to Dr. Dennis Clements, an infectious disease pediatrician and interim director of the Global Health Institute at Duke University. She has three stepdaughters, all living in San Francisco, and seven grandchildren. Her sister, Cameron Austin, graduated from Chatham Hall in 1978. Keels is excited that her niece, Sarah Austin, will be attending dental school this fall.