Ann Arbor, MI — June 16, 2012 — Prof. Wendy Kerschbaum, director of the dental hygiene program at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, has been named the Educator of the Year by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.  She received the award during the organization’s annual meeting in Phoenix.

Nominated by Anne Gwozdek, director of dental hygiene degree completion programs, Kerschbaum was described “as a champion of lifelong learning who leads by example” as an educator, mentor, and leader.

As an educator, Kerschbaum was lauded for her “forward thinking” that led to the School’s dental hygiene program becoming a baccalaureate degree program in 1985, for helping to initiate an online degree-completion program in 2010, and using the success of that program to help create a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Program last year.

As “an exceptional mentor,” Gwozdek said Kerschbaum “has the keen ability to see something greater in others than they see in themselves.  Her kindness and empathy are beacons that allow others to come to her easily for advice and guidance.”

Gwozdek added that Kerschbaum’s “lead by example philosophy guides the program’s vision, but allows students and faculty to realize success as a team.”

Saying she was honored and humbled to receive the award, Kerschbaum said she believes “teaching is foremost about touching lives in a positive fashion.  As I touch the lives of students, I hope they in turn will touch the lives of others.”

Kerschbaum said the $1,000 award she also received will be used to help fund the Christine Klausner Scholarship Fund.  “Doing this, I hope to help future generations of dental hygiene students complete their education here at Michigan and, after they graduate, go on to reach their professional dreams.”  Klausner, a dental hygiene faculty member, passed away in September 2010.

Kerschbaum began her career at the School of Dentistry as a part-time clinical instructor after earning her bachelor’s degree from U-M in 1970.  She was named director of the dental hygiene program in 1988.