USA Section of the Academy of Dentistry International

Pictured with Dean Dr. Gregory Chadwick, FADI
Brianna Horne is from Williamston, NC, and received her undergraduate degrees in nursing and biology from East Carolina University. She was active in many organizations at the School of Dental Medicine, including the school’s Student National Dental Association chapter. After graduation, she will attend a General Practice Residency at Tufts University in Boston, MA.

Pictured with Dr. Dianne Sullivan
Samar Dawy has volunteered to serve the San Antonio Immigrant Population in all oral health promotion and empowerment matters. Samar also volunteered at the weekly San Antonio Refugee Health Clinic as a student provider for two years and at the Saturday Refugee Dental Clinics, which rendered treatments to over 200 patients. While at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSA), School of Dentistry (SOD). She also served as the UTHSA-SOD’s President of the Global Health Student Association (Student Chapter of the International College of Dentists). She will practice general dentistry in San Antonio.

Pictured with Dr. David Hancock, ADI’s President-Elect and FADI
Savannah Rose has practiced as a dental hygienist and a clinical faculty member at Pacific Dental Clinic. She has served underserved children as an expanded-function hygienist. Savannah has been an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska. At the ATSU dental school, she became a National Health Corp scholar, where she obtained her master’s in public health. avannah created, implemented, and spearheaded a five-week training about primary prevention strategies for Promotoras in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Pictured with Dr. David Hancock, ADI’s President-Elect and FADI
Mercedes was raised in Tucson, AZ. She comes from a very close family. She is also one of the first in her family to pursue a career in healthcare. She participated regularly in the many community service events that our college sponsors. Many of these projects were community outreach programs completed off campus. Mercedes has always had a strong desire to provide and improve care for the underserved. This desire was evident as she cared for the underserved during rotations to various dental clinics around the Phoenix, AZ, area. After graduation, she will return to Tucson to provide dental care in a public health clinic.

Pictured with Dr. Robert Handyside, Dean, LLUSD (left), and Dr. Gary Kerstetter, Director of Service Learning, LLUSD, FADI (right)
Alexander Castillo graduated from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in May 2024. Alex demonstrated a strong desire to serve others as early as his first year of dental school. Dr. Gary Kerstetter, Director of Service Learning at LLUSD, stated, “I have had the privilege to have Alex on several mission trips during his four years at LLUSD. He is very enthusiastic about mission service. He is engaged with everyone on the trips, is a team player, and is eager to help any of the students. He is very valuable for his Spanish language skills. He truly enjoys being involved and serving the underserved. I know his commitment to service will persist throughout his dental career.”

Pictured with Dr. James Lott, Assistant Dean for the Department of Care Planning and Restorative Sciences
Chance Farris is from Hattiesburg, MS, and graduated with the class of 2024. As a dental student, he served as a Jackson Free Clinic class representative. The Jackson Free Clinic is a medical and dental clinic serving the uninsured population of Mississippi. He plans to practice at the Golden Triangle Dental Center in Starkville, MS.

Pictured with Dr. Nancy Young, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Reese King is from Aiken, SC, where he attended the University of South Carolina Aiken. While at the DCG, he participated in the Christian Medical and Dental Association, volunteered regularly with the Mercy Health dental clinic, and was awarded numerous senior awards, including the Dr. Michael M. Kiyani Ethics in Dentistry Award. He will be joining a private practice in North Augusta, SC.

Pictured with Dr. Michael G. Maihofer
Born and raised in Iraq, Martin Murad moved to the United States in 2012 for a better future and aspired to become a first-generation college graduate. He received his Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Chemistry from Wayne State University. He pursued his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Detroit Mercy Dental. Martin was actively involved in organized dentistry as a board member for the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) chapter of the American Student Dental Association, Implant & Oral Surgery Club, Student Research Group, and Michigan Dental Association’s Committee on Continuing Education. Martin will further his training at Ascension Oakland-Macomb Hospital for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency.

Pictured with Dr. Mai-Tram Nguyen FADI
Helen Liu’s commitment to serving others extends beyond the clinical setting. She consistently goes above and beyond to advocate for patients' needs, demonstrating empathy p is characterized by a remarkable ability to inspire her peers and colleagues, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that enhances patient care and professional development. She invested considerable time and effort in guiding and supporting her fellow students and community to improve oral health education and access to care for underserved populations.

Dr. Seggerman raised for himself and fellow students’ scholarships towards mission trips and helped create a team of over 30 people from the States and likely over 50 students from the University of Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City, who will join the effort (including the head of their Pediatric Dentistry department). He has attended the outreach ministry of CMDA. His character will inspire many others before and after the 2023 Mission Trip.

Dr. Wesley Cole Spigener was selected for the ADI SSLA because of his commitment to community service.  Dr. Spigener graciously volunteered and organized treatment at the Ozanam Inn, a dental clinic providing extractions for the underserved in New Orleans, LA.  As a student, Dr. Spigener consistently demonstrated selflessness and sincerity with patients, faculty, staff, and peers.  Dr. Spigener will be starting an Oral Surgery Internship in Shreveport, LA. 

Dr. Patel was chosen at a committee meeting where her qualities were discussed orally among our selection faculty. 

Dr. Marqua Lofton plans to serve through dentistry by returning to rural areas to practice. Her current dental school extracurricular activities include serving in the Student National Dental Association (SNDA). She participated in several community-based health fairs, donation drives, student mental health support, and self-care activities each year. She has been the community service chair for SNDA, where she hosted a food drive in which all donations were donated to our local stewpot. She is also the chapter’s historian documenting events and meetings. She participated in the 2022 Mississippi Mission of Mercy project and several rotations at the Jackson Free Clinic, the Dental Acute Clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall, and the Mission First dental clinic. She will also be a resident in the UMMC AEGD program this fall.

Dr. Jixa Patel has demonstrated a passion for service and providing quality healthcare.  With experience as a dental assistant before moving on to earn a BS in Dental Hygiene, she has excelled in the DDS program at LLUSD, always with the goal of serving patients with the utmost care and quality.  LLUSD is extremely grateful for Dr. Jixa Patel’s commitment to her patients, classmates, faculty, and the dental school.

Dr. Amanda Wilson has demonstrated professionalism, leadership, and a high commitment to serving her local and global community.  She has advocated for vulnerable patients and participated in global oral/health education trips, including the Dominican Republic outreach, where she traveled last year despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to serve the underserved globally. She has served in leadership roles at the University of Texas Health at San Antonio (UTHSA), the San Antonio Refugee Health Clinic, and the Christian Medical and Dental Associations of San Antonio. She also served as the co-president of the Global Health Student Association and the International College of Dentists chapter of the UTHSA.

Dr. Lee has been an astonishing student for over three years, performing in the upper 1-5% in his coursework. However, this only represents one aspect of his achievements so far. It is evident from getting to know him that he is passionate about his career and is motivated to become the best dentist he can be. Dr. Lee will be a caring and compassionate dentist who gives his future patients the best care possible and will be someone I would have no hesitation in sending my family members to for treatment.   

Dr. Johnson attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in Detroit, Michigan. While at Detroit Mercy, she maintained membership in the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and held multiple positions on the Executive Board of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA), finishing as the president. Additionally, she served as the vice president and president of the Student Government Association throughout her years at UDM and as an active student ambassador.

Dr. Willis participated in 2 international mission trips at The Dental College of Georgia. He is passionate about patient care and education.