Ann Arbor, MI — June 25, 2006 — Professor Wendy Kerschbaum, the director of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry's dental hygiene program, has received the highest honor bestowed by the American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Kerschbaum was one of only four dental hygienists nationwide who received the Pfizer/ADHA Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene Award during an ADHA's award luncheon in Orlando, Florida today.

The award recognizes outstanding dental hygienists who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the dental hygiene profession.  The award also recognizes dental hygienists who demonstrate leadership.

Kerschbaum was nominated by two U-M dental hygiene colleagues, Mary Layher and Anne Gwozdek.

As they described Kerschbaum's 36-year record as an educator, clinician, administrator, researcher, and advocate, Layher and Gwozdek also acknowledged her personal qualities and contributions.

"It is what she has chosen to do with her education and talents that make her a truly remarkable individual," they wrote.  "Wendy chooses to selflessly share her knowledge, experience, and passion for dental hygiene.  She is a mentor extraordinaire.  Keenly observant, she has the ability to identify an individual's strengths, empowers that individual to set and attain goals, and opens pathways to aid in achievement of those goals."

Saying that her achievements "have not occurred in a vacuum," Kerschbaum said "the support, mentoring, role modeling, and vision of many people have been critical to the paths I have taken during my career."  She added that her focus, at this stage of her career, "is to prepare and inspire the next generation of dental hygienists and leaders of our profession."

Kerschbaum, who is only the third director of the U-M School of Dentistry's dental hygiene program since it was created in 1924, has been its director since 1988. 

Since earning her degree in 1970, Kerschbaum has taught dental hygiene classes at U-M every year except two (1976 and 1977) when she lived in Oregon.  Kerschbaum has been active in dental hygiene organizations, including ADHA, for more than 30 years.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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