2021 Scholarship Recipients
A Big Congratulations To Our Scholarship Recipients for the year 2021!
Colgate Scholarship Recipients
Castedo, William – D3 – Colgate - Indiana University School of Dentistry
I am humbled to accept this year's HDAF/Colgate Dental Student Scholarship. This moment makes tangible the endless sacrifices my parents have made over the years for my brother and me, and I am proud to share with them the great news. My parents' unending support, love, and encouragement are slowly coming to fruition with me becoming a first-generation Latino- American oral physician. This scholarship would not be possible without them and their commitment to ensuring that I have every opportunity to succeed. Specifically, this scholarship will facilitate my continued educational growth in dentistry and provide opportunities for me to learn and form a more profound cultural connection with my Hispanic community. My passion for oral healthcare grows daily but practicing what I love and providing my community with evidence-based oral medicine is an even more incredible privilege. I plan to continue serving the underrepresented and underserved community as an oral physician advocating for the equity of our community through awareness, community outreach, education, and increase access to care. Again, I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and I am excited to build off this moment and further the HDAF's mission to promote the health of the Hispanic and other underserved communities through my passion for dentistry by providing patient advocacy and striving for equity in our Hispanic Latino communities.
Castellanos, Cristina – Dental Hygiene 2 – Colgate - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
I am very thankful and blessed to have been awarded the HDAF/Colgate scholarship. This scholarship will be an investment in my future and validates my hard work has paid off. My professors and director are extremely proud I received this scholarship, and I am proud to represent The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Not only are my professors and director proud, but my husband and two daughters are proud as well. I strive to educate my daughters on having a strong work ethic and the will to help others. My career goals are to educate and provide dental hygiene services for Hispanic and underserved communities. I will continue to use my membership with my local component to volunteer at every event possible. I have found a love for educating patients on the importance of oral health, especially with children. I will be starting my rotation at Smiles for Miles in October, which is an organization dedicated to early childhood oral health prevention. I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and love for dental hygiene with as many children as possible. I am sure I will learn a few things from them as well. Thank you for choosing me as the 2021 recipient of the HDAF/Colgate Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship. I will be a continuous member of the HDA and strive for patient education.
Conde, Giannina – General Practice Resident – Colgate - New York University Langone Health – Brooklyn GPR
Being awarded the HDAF/Colgate scholarship has been a true honor. Having the privilege of serving on the HSDA executive board while in dental school and participating in the many initiatives the club offers within the Hispanic community, has fueled my passion for working with underserved minority groups. Language barriers, unfamiliarity with the system and fear are just a few of the barriers many Hispanics face when deciding on visiting a dentist. Having the opportunity to see the gratitude and relief in Spanish speaking patients when I introduce myself in our native language, is a priceless experience. Opportunities like these, allow the Hispanic community members to break stereotypes and show the world our values as a community: our strong work ethic, compassion and empathy for others, and our resilience and strength. I will continue to further the vision of HDA and promote the overall health of the Hispanic and other underserved communities by focusing on patient education, mentorship for the Hispanic youth and other minority groups; as well as partaking in community service events that provide dental care for minorities and underserved communities. Focusing on patient education will increase the health literacy of our patients. Helping them understand the different dental conditions affecting them and the negative effects they may have on their dental health and overall health. This can in turn create more motivation to maintain proper home care and also give them the opportunity to take control of their dental health. Participating in mentorship programs will allow me to guide minority groups as well as first generation students in navigating their educational goals. Creating positive changes early in our youth’s lives can create lifelong positive impacts that can benefit our youth and the communities around them.
Cruz Correa, Ninoshka – D4 – Colgate - University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus
Hi, my name is Ninoshka Cruz Correa and I am honored to be one of this year's recipients of Hispanic Dental Association Foundation/Colgate Dental Student Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship makes me proud as a Hispanic and as a Latino woman who I represent. Listening and living in an underserved population is how I began to understand and serve them better. Puerto Rico is known as “La Isla del Encanto” full of colors, a beautiful culture surrounded by beautiful sunsets but with a population that is in need of overall health services. It is here where I can apply the values learned by my parents in helping others. Our communities need more help, empathy, and love. This pandemic has allowed us to recognize the importance of oral health and our general health. The lack of dentists in my country and even more so in low-income areas motivates me to continue training and pushing toward a goal of increasing access to quality health care for more of our communities. For this reason, working for my country is what I want the most. It is the little changes in people's lives that fulfill you and make you feel great. I will work with great dedication to achieve the ideas that I want to implement to improve the oral health of my Puerto Rico. I end with a phrase from the psychologist Sally Koch that says: "Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.
Guzman, Luis – D3 – Colgate - Roseman University of Health Sciences
I am deeply honored to be receiving this scholarship from the HDA Foundation and Colgate and grateful for the support of professional peers whose past efforts have created opportunities for young students like myself to carry on the important work that is necessary in our communities. I have been fortunate enough to meet a few members of the HDA along my career path who have brought to my attention the impact that my presence can have in the dental community. They made it clear how much this profession is looking for more students that share our cultural backgrounds to help care for our own communities struggling to navigate the healthcare system. As I mentioned in my application, I have long dedicated my efforts in dentistry to the underserved Hispanic communities that I grew up in. I have first-hand experience in dental community clinics working as a dental assistant to know what type of work is required of a dentist in this field and what level of leadership they need to continue growing and improving the oral health of these people. This experience is the reason I immediately committed to public health dentistry with both my NHSC scholarship and now with the concurrent enrollment in a Master of Public Health program. These are two incredible resources that will help me grow into the professional that I aspire to be so I may achieve great things for the Hispanic and other underserved communities that I plan to work with in the future.
Iribarren, Sofia – Resident Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health – Colgate - University of Iowa College of Dentistry
I have always been able to feel a sense of belonging within the HDA community. My favorite dental school memories involve HSDA outreach events in Latino communities; where else could we teach about oral health and then have a tamale with a refreshing horchata afterward? Thanks to many mentors who have provided guidance and inspired me to continue my academic endeavors, I am in residency today, learning what I love most, pediatric dentistry and dental public health. I find it gratifying to give back to Latino communities and minority students. I will continue to advocate for social and racial justice by providing mentorship to minority populations to increase diversity in dentistry, teaching in a university setting, and supporting undocumented children who do not qualify for Medicaid in some states due to their legal status. Receiving the HDAF/Colgate scholarship means so much to me since it provides additional motivation and support to improve oral health in Latino Communities.
Nichols, Madeline – DH1 – Colgate - Utah College of Dental Hygiene
Upon receiving this scholarship, my mind couldn’t help but go to immediate gratitude. In these what seems like never-ending unprecedented times, financial hardship was something I’ve experienced, as I’m sure the pandemic has made many of us feel. The unforeseen financial setbacks that came with the pandemic were nothing short of discouraging. This scholarship allows me to have hope and allows me to achieve my educational goals with more focus rather than stress. This scholarship, however, means more to me than the financial help it offers. It has shown me that I can reach out of my comfort zone and do hard things. It means that my service to the Hispanic community makes a difference. I often tell myself “I can’t wait to be a RDH and make a difference!” What I have failed to realize is there is no qualification for service. I now tell myself “I am so excited to be a student and help serve now, by offering affordable cleanings, and speaking Spanish to my native speaking Hispanic patients so that they can feel more understood and comfortable.” And If I, a 24-year-old, who earlier this year was waiting tables full time, and wondering if life had anything else for me- can make a difference, then it means you- you who live busy lives, whether it be school, or family responsibilities or job demands, you who feel too young (or too old), underqualified, underrepresented, etc. you can make a difference too. We come together as an association, and we feel the power that many make in gathering but fail to recognize that each one of us contributes to this power. I choose to stay a member of the HDA because of the power we all bring in making a difference. I look forward to serving the Hispanic community now, and in the future, and thank the HDAF and Colgate in helping me realize my goals for service.
Peacock, Stephanie – D4 – Colgate - UCLA School of Dentistry – Los Angeles
I have been involved with HDA since my first year of dental school. When I first joined, our student chapter at UCLA was relatively small. Slowly, we grew and earned a lot of attention for the service, education, and mentorship events we held. From the warm people I have met to the meaningful projects I have worked on with my teammates, over time, HDA quickly became the center of my most impactful experiences in dental school. To be awarded this HDA Foundation scholarship, the first scholarship I have ever received, puts the cherry on top of the journey I have had with an organization I love. I never expected joining a club would lead me here and I feel grateful. This scholarship means two things to me: that our community is important and that serving others always pays off in the end. HDA will always be a beacon that reminds me of the importance of giving back. As I have received a lot as a member in the past 3 years, I hope to give back in the future as a mentor to minority students, a compassionate provider who volunteers their time to those in need, and an oral health advocate for our vulnerable communities.
Villasenor, Vivian – D4 – Colgate- University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine
I would like to thank the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation and Colgate for the support in my aspirations and endeavors- not only academically, but those in serving Hispanic communities.ReceivingthisscholarshipaffirmsthatmygoalsinservingHispaniccommunitiesalignswiththe Foundation’s vision. Being an active volunteer in the Latino Community of Pittsburgh and serving as their student dentist has been inspirational in many ways. I have witnessed the impact a Hispanic provider can have to an underserved Hispanic population. It makes the world of a difference when a patient can trust that their provider understands their language, culture, and needs. I envision my career as a dentist as one that seeks to continuously provide for the underserved, offering not only oral health care, but empowerment. This year I will continue to participate in outreach programs in Pittsburgh in hopes to help bridge the gap between this community and the oral health care they deserve. Additionally, I look forward to returning to my hometown of El Monte, California once I graduate and continuing to represent dentistry in a primarily Hispanic city.
Proctor and Gamble Scholarship Recipients
Garcia-Solano, Diane – DH2 – Procter and Gamble - Loma Linda Dental Hygiene Program
I'd like to start off by expressing my gratitude. It is such an honor to have been chosen as a recipient of this HDAF/Procter and Gamble scholarship. I’ve dedicated much of my time to enhancing my skills within the dental field and am appreciative that my hard work has been recognized. As a recipient of this scholarship my goals are to bring awareness to the importance of oral health and promote careers in dentistry to the Hispanic communities. I aim to raise awareness by publishing children's books in order to educate parents on certain oral health topics and exposing children to the field of dentistry. Writing books about proper brushing techniques, healthy foods that help strengthen teeth are some examples of the topics I plan to include in my children’s books. In addition to publishing children's books, I intend to promote careers in dentistry. I plan on promoting HDA’s vision of higher education to Hispanic children by participating in local mentorship programs. This will assist in providing Hispanic youth with further insight on career opportunities within the dental field. Although I've mentored students in the past, I plan on becoming more intentional in helping my community by making more of an effort to actively participate in mentorship programs. With these efforts, I hope to inspire my Hispanic community and pave the way for future dental professionals.
Ramos-Diaz, Sylvette – D2 – Procter and Gamble - University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry
I am honored to be representing the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry and the UNC Hispanic Student Dental Association! Receiving the HDAF/Procter and Gamble Dental Student Scholarship means more to me than words can describe. I have had to work multiple part-time jobs during dental school to help make ends meet and to be able to pay for materials and other miscellaneous fees. I teach Zumba Fitness and work as a medical interpreter whenever I am not in class, in clinic or volunteering. This scholarship will help me cover a huge portion of the fees for this year, and that takes a huge financial load off my shoulders. I will be able to focus more on my academics and my fellowship now that I don’t have to scramble to find the money I owe for the rest for the semester. I created and implemented the Hispanic Oral health Prevention & Education (H.O.P.E.) at the free, student-run dental clinic called Vidas de Esperanza in Siler City, North Carolina. My colleague and I are ensuring our patients are exposed to proper oral hygiene instruction in their native language. Our patients are also receiving preventative care at a clinic where only direct restorations and extractions were offered before. We are triaging new patients and addressing acute dental issues now more than ever with H.O.P.E. This is a very time-consuming project, so worrying about finances was less than ideal. I am extremely grateful for being chosen as Procter and Gamble Dental Student Scholarship recipient, and I want to thank everyone on the scholarship committee for believing in my goals and seeing my potential! I am excited to continue embodying the vision of the HDA of promoting the overall health of the Hispanic and other underserved communities!
Vidaurri, Luis – D3 – Procter and Gamble - UCLA School of Dentistry Los Angeles
I feel very privileged to be awarded a Procter and Gamble/HDA Foundation Scholarship. Each day at the UCLA dental clinic, I see first-hand the need for Hispanic dentists. The Spanish-speaking population is growing in size, especially here in Los Angeles, and the dental profession as it stands does not have the resources to effectively service this community. Even as a student, it is remarkable to see that no more than 15% of student-dentists are proficient in Spanish, while the vast majority of our patient pool is Hispanic. As I spend more time in the clinic, I am reminded of how valuable of an asset our culture can be to connect with patients and provide treatment. It is our role as HDA members to strive to eliminate oral health disparities in the Hispanic and underserved communities. Alongside my fellow HDA community, I hope to push for more Hispanic representation in the dental profession, so that we can promote the overall health of Hispanic and underserved populations. Through outreach, collaboration, and reform, I hope to inspire the upcoming generation of culturally competent dentists.
Zavala, Luis-Felipe – D3 – Procter and Gamble - Western University
When I was a child, I spent a lot of time in Peru where my grandfather was a dentist. That influenced not only my career choice but influenced his patients in ways I never thought were possible. He showed me how he made a difference in people’s lives and how they depended on him either regularly or in the case of an emergency. They would always express how grateful they were having him and that inspired me to be the type of provider that Hispanic communities will always need. This scholarship is a tangible accomplishment that will help me become that very provider. This scholarship, along with being a member of HDA provides me with the tools and support that I will need to attain my goals to provide for the underserved Hispanic communities. For example, I am currently in touch with the previous Los Angeles HDA President Dr. Yanina Jouzy, and I am developing teams for mission trips into Ensenada, Mexico. Another option I have is moving back home to Miami where most, if not all, of the people I grew up around are Hispanic. Using the tools that HDA is providing I can confidently say that I will be ready to approach any obstacle that comes my way. Lastly, to me HDA is more than an organization that can help me become a better dentist. It is a family of fellow Hispanic brothers and sisters that I know will help me grow in a variety of aspects throughout this walk of life, as well as show me how to be a better tool for others.
A-dec Scholarship Recipients
Mineo Escareno, Scarlett – D4 – A-dec - Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at University of Southern California
Since I was a child, my parents reinforced being a good student. They taught me that an education is the most important thing I can do for myself and my family, and that it can never be taken away. Although being a first-generation college student brought its set of challenges, I am grateful to have started with a supportive foundation at home. Moreover, I learned that we didn’t have to do it alone. Along my educational journey I learned of the programs and scholarships available. My dream of becoming a healthcare provider for my community became more a reality. Scholarships such as the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation make it possible and remind me of why I keep striving to become a dentist. To me, the HDAF/A-dec scholarship means they want to see the Hispanic and underserved communities in good health, to flourish and grow, and they are here to help us as students achieve our goals of bettering our communities. Today, I am in my last year of dental school, months away from becoming a dental provider. The HDAF/A-dec Scholarship is part of the reason why I have made it this far and continue to aspire to become a knowledgeable and compassionate general dentist. HDA/HDAF and I share a similar purpose of promoting the overall health of the Hispanic and other underserved communities and I look forward to returning as a health care provider myself. In time, I hope to collaborate with other HDA members to open a clinic and increase the services to address the need for dental care. I am grateful for the opportunity of being an A-Dec/Hispanic Dental Association Foundation Scholarship recipient.