Honors and Recognition

Ruppert, Clisham Honored by MDHA

The House of Delegates of the Michigan Dental Hygienists' Association honored two School of Dentistry alumni during the organization's annual meeting last fall. Both served as past presidents of the U-M Student American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Rebecca Ruppert (BSDH 2006) was named Outstanding Dental Hygienist of the Year by the Washtenaw District Dental Hygienists' Society. Now beginning a two-year term as MDHA trustee, Ruppert was a delegate to MDHA and vice president of WDDHA.

Brandi Clisham (BSDH 2007) received MDHA's Springboard Award in recognition for her involvement in professional association leadership activities as a student. She is currently serving as WDDHS Vice President.

Gissendanner NDHA President-Elect

Juana Gissendanner has been elected National Dental Hygienists' Association president-elect for a two-year term that began in 2007. After completing the term next year, she automatically becomes the organization's president. Gissendanner was elected during the group's annual convention last summer in Atlanta.

U-M SADHA Honored by March of Dimes

The Ann Arbor chapter of the March of Dimes presented its Distinguished Service Award last fall to the U-M Student American Dental Hygienists' Association for its long-term participation in the March of Dimes/U-M Health System Health Walk.

For the last five years, SADHA has hosted a booth providing educational information on the link between periodontal disease and preterm, low birth-weight babies.

Fourth-year dental hygiene student Rachel Knorr has co-chaired the SADHA effort the last two years along with advisor Mary Layher.