Congratulations, Class of 2024!
On Monday, May 20, 2024, the NYU Dentistry Class of 2024 – which included more than 500 candidates for the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Advanced Education Program certificates, MS degrees in biomaterials and in clinical research, AAS and BS degrees in dental hygiene, and Dental Assisting Program certificates – saw their dreams come true as they received their degrees and certificates before an audience of approximately 5,000 people in The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Class Representative Olivia Fisher spoke on behalf of the AAS Program in Dental Hygiene, and Dr. Cindy Qiang spoke on behalf of the DDS Program.
Alumni Association President Dr. Angela De Bartolo, '87, brought greetings on behalf of the Alumni Association.
Following the presentation of degrees and certificates, Colonel Stephen J. Tanner, Chief of the Army Dental Corps and Deputy Commanding Officer of the William Beaumont Army Medical Center, officially commissioned five newly minted DDS program graduates entering the U.S. Armed Forces Dental Corps, continuing a tradition that began in 2015, when members of the graduating class were formally commissioned as part of the Graduation Ceremony.
In addition to the candidates, the College honored two individuals who have made significant contributions to oral health policy and who exemplify the adaptive and judicious leadership qualities that tomorrow’s health care leaders will need to move the profession of dentistry forward.
Peter DuBois, JD, who serves as Executive Director of the California Dental Association (CDA), the largest state association of the American Dental Association (ADA), received the Harry Strusser Memorial Award for his extraordinary commitment to advancing public health through inspired leadership of the CDA, where he has brought to bear many collaborative initiatives that have positively impacted oral health policy and the dental profession. A leader in state and national public policy research and advocacy, Mr. DuBois has focused his career on supporting dental professionals, reducing barriers to care, and improving public health. Prior to joining CDA, Mr. DuBois was Executive Director of the University of California San Francisco Medical Group and of the Physician Foundation at California Pacific Medical Center. He is also a member of the executive committee and board of Californians Allied for Patient Protection, a broad-based coalition of health care, government, and community groups whose sole purpose is to protect access to health care.
The College’s highest form of recognition, the David B. Kriser Medal, was awarded to Major General (Ret.) Dr. Roosevelt Allen, Chief Dental Officer at United Concordia Dental, for his remarkable life’s work in demonstrating the impact that a dentist can have on oral health policy and management. Dr. Allen leads United Concordia’s oral and overall health efforts, focusing on interprofessional collaboration, dental technology, improvements to access to care, Social Determinants of Health, and education on the link between oral and systemic health. Prior to joining United Concordia in 2018 as dental director of Government Business, Dr. Allen retired at the rank of major general after a 30+ year career in the US Air Force, serving as the medical operations director and chief of the Dental Corps, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General. In that role, he executed health care policy in support of 44,000 military members and 75 medical treatment facilities across the United States, Europe, and Asia and provided policy and operational advice for over 3,500 military dental professionals.