Dental Lifeline Network partners with 46 dental schools across the United States through the Brian D. Stone Memorial Award to recognize outstanding dental school graduates who have committed to volunteerism and public service to helping people with special needs.
The award was established 17 years ago by Brian’s parents Drs. Joy and Justin Stone of New Jersey. The collaborative partnership between these accredited schools allows DLN to recognize future dental professionals who believe in the importance of volunteering to help our most vulnerable populations.
Kelli Dummerth, DDS is an example of one of those students. Dr. Dummerth graduated from University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry in May 2022. During her time at dental school she reflected on how she could use dentistry to be a part of positive change in her community. This led Dr. Dummerth to become involved in volunteering with the YMCA Challenger Program, a program for children and young adults with special needs that helps improve physical fitness, personal growth, fun, and friendships through activities that help improve these areas. Throughout her time at the YMCA Challenger Program, Dr. Dummerth helped serve individuals ages 4-30 with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities.
“Working with our special needs community is something near and dear to my heart. My older brother was born with various medical challenges and if he was still with us today, he would require special healthcare needs,” said Dr. Dummerth, 2022 Brian D. Stone Recipient. “I’m especially drawn to giving back to our community with special needs because I can’t imagine a world where someone like my brother could not receive dental care. I made it my goal to provide a space that is welcoming and accommodating and this award shows me that my goals are shared among other dentists.”
In addition to Dr. Dummerth’s personal experience that inspired her to give back to the community, it was after her orthodontic treatment that she realized how much her self-confidence has changed. This inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare where she knew dentistry specifically was right for her.
This year, 46 students received the prestigious award! DLN continues to work on expanding this program by adding more schools and recipients. With generous support from our partner, Guardian Life Insurance Company, we will continue to do this in the coming years. If you are interested in participating in the program, please fill out our form.
2022 Brian D. Stone Recipients
- Aasiya Mohammed, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Alex Lopez, University of Iowa College of Dentistry
- Anne Marie Currie, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Arman Farhadtouski, University of Utah School of Dentistry
- Austin A. Housos, OHSU School of Dentistry
- Azadeh Abdollahi, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- Carol Anne Fordham, A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
- Che-Yu Hsu, UT Health Houston School of Dentistry
- Elianna Largeman, The Dental College of Georgia
- Emma Cunningham, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine
- Hasan Akber, West Virginia University School of Dentistry
- Ivy Xiangyi Shen, University of New England College of Dental Medicine
- Izaz Shaik, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
- Jacksyn Leigh Clanton, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
- Jarrod Lee, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry
- Jennifer Oh, Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine
- Jonathan Austin Bowman, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
- Justin S. Starnes, University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry
- Katherine Otto, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
- Kayla Brittany Dymen, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry
- Kelli Dummerth, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry
- Keyonnia Shaw, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
- Lillian Azzam,UNLV School of Dental Medicine
- Linda Truong, University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
- Lotte Sjulin, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
- Marianna R. Carrillo, Creighton University School of Dentistry
- Mark Robert Voelker, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
- Melanie Mincer, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
- Michelene Haught, University of Louisville School of Dentistry
- Mirna Flores, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine – AZ
- Morgan Sabol, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
- Nicole Gracias, New York University College of Dentistry
- Nicole Therese Reitz, Marquette University School of Dentistry
- Nikolaus J. Cassidy, Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry
- Noah H. Barnes, A.T. Still University – Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
- Peter Popek, University of Washington School of Dentistry
- Prajakta Joshi, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
- Preshita M. Patel, Indiana university School of Dentistry
- Rachel Elvis, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina
- Rachelle Coca, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
- Sadie Cohen, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry
- Safeera Khan, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine – Illinois
- Sarah Feltz, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
- Shannon Herron-Grady, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
- Taylar Rowe, The Ohio State University College of Dental Medicine
- Thieu Vo, University of Alabama School of Dentistry
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