Student Angel Frazier and Resident Dr. Lauren Gordon Earn King Scholarships
Karen Patton (sixth from right) received her Sparky Award in the company of co-workers and friends.
to the Department Head, Department of Pediatric Dentistry (June); Evan Fry, D-3 (July); and Dr. Seema Ashrafi, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics (September). The award is presented to a person who shows excellence in care, concern, and support for patients, students, faculty, and alumni; a high degree of professional conduct; exceeds expectations; promotes the missions of the College; supports diversity; and treats people with great respect. To nominate a member of the College community for the Sparky Award, log on to https://dentistry.uic.edu/ sparky-award, or contact Janette Guzman at jguzma32@ uic.edu.
Evan Fry (third from right) in front of his Sparky Award plaque.
Dr. Seema Ashrafi (center) was honored with her Sparky Award.
October 2019
Student Angel Frazier, D-4, and third-year orthodontic resident Dr. Lauren Gordon received Professional Student Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Awards from the UIC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “This scholarship helped me pay for my board exams,” Frazier explained, noting that after graduation, “I plan to work in areas where there might be a shortage of dentists. I plan to continue to volunteer to help those without access to dental care.” Frazier is a part of the Urban Health Program (UHP) at UIC, which provides programming, resources, and support for prehealth and health professional students to address health disparities in minority populations and improve healthcare in underserved urban areas. In the UHP, “I was provided mentors and support, so I feel I Angel Frazier. have an obligation to give back to this program,” Frazier said. She now serves as a UHP mentor. “I spend my summers volunteering to help students with research projects and prepping for their dental entrance exams,” Frazier said. Frazier also is President of the College’s chapter of the Student National Dental Association, “an organization heavily focused on community service,” she said. In submitting an essay when applying for the King Scholarship, Frazier wrote, “Martin Luther King once said, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?’ This quote Dr. Lauren Gordon. resonated with me because I feel that we have an obligation to give back to our communities.” “I am extremely honored and grateful to have been selected for this award,” Dr. Gordon said. Upon graduation, Gordon said she plans to return to Atlanta, GA, which was her home as well as Dr. King’s. “In order to practice in Georgia, I must complete an additional dental licensing examination,” Gordon explained. “This scholarship will afford me the means to take this required examination this year. The award will also aid in my relocation expenses upon graduation. Again, I am very thankful and honored to have been selected.” Gordon earned her BS in biology and DDS from
Word of Mouth
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