The 2015 Class, welcomed at the annual white coat ceremony, includes 121 members (72 women and 49 men); seven members are legacy students with relatives who are also Penn Dental Medicine alumni or current students.
White Coat Ceremony Welcomes Class of 2015
Penn Dental Medicine welcomed the Class of 2015 to the study of dental medicine with its annual White Coat Ceremony, held August 22 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Zellerbach Theatre. This annual tradition — now in its eighth year — holds symbolic significance for the incoming class as they declare their commitment to assume the responsibilities and obligations of the dental profession.
The program included welcoming remarks by Dr. Denis F. Kinane, Morton Amsterdam Dean of Penn Dental Medicine; a keynote address by Dr. Vincent Price, the Provost of the University of Pennsylvania; highlights of the history of Penn Dental Medicine by Dr. D. Walter Cohen, Dean Emeritus of Penn Dental Medicine; and the presentation and introduction of each class member in their white coats.
The 121-member class includes 72 women and 49 men and represents 29 different states and 15 foreign countries. Seven members of the freshman class are legacy students with relatives who are also Penn Dental Medicine graduates or current students. They include Yasaman Hakakian, cousin of Saman Souri (D’06); Caroline Heidt, sister of Julie Heidt (D’13) and granddaughter of Dr. Ivan Martin (D’53); David Kang, brother of Michael Kang (D’12); Sheedeh Madani, daughter of Dr. Farideh Madani (D’84) and Dr. Mansoor Madani, (D’82); Hillary Rosen, daughter of Dr. Ira Rosen (D’83) and Dr. Karen Rosen (D’85); John Ruch, son Dr. Donald Ruch (D’82); and Katherine Schier, sister of John Schier (D’13).
PennSmiles Mobile Dental Clinic Debuts New Look, Expands Outreach
Penn Dental Medicine has a new face in the neighborhood as its 40foot PennSmiles mobile dental clinic gets a new look. Debuted in September, the new design features friendly faces from the Penn Dental Medicine community that reflect the diverse audience served through this outreach program, and coincides with an expansion of this schoolbased oral health program targeted to Philadelphia school children. Outfitted with two dental chairs and all the equipment for dental care, the PennSmiles mobile clinic was first introduced in 2003. Since then, Penn Dental Medicine students and faculty have provided over 5,300 dental visits with children from 22 schools and four community agencies in West and Southwest Philadelphia, providing comprehensive dental
16 on campus: news
Since the PennSmiles mobile clinic was first introduced in 2003, students and faculty have provided over 5,300 dental visits for children in West and Southwest Philadelphia.
care, including diagnostic, preventive, and restorative services. Pictured, Dr. Andres Pinto, Chief of the Division of Community Oral Health, and Dr. Joan
Gluch, Associate Dean for Academic Policies, with the newly designed PennSmiles mobile dental clinic.