Close-up image of dental instruments on a tray

School of Dental Medicine graduates selected for annual awards

The Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of its students through annual awards.

“Though an in-person ceremony could not be held this year, on behalf of our faculty and staff, I wish to extend our deepest congratulations to this year’s award winners,” said School of Dental Medicine Dean Kenneth Chance.

Thirty-five students have been chosen for honors, prizes and awards for exceptional achievements in the field of dentistry. 

“It is my privilege and my honor to recognize these students,” Chance said.

This year’s awardees are listed below.

Elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society

for scholastic attainment and professional potential

  • Wangsoo Lee
  • Gideon Michael Arnett
  • Anna Maria Ganios
  • Ana Burilo
  • Alexander John DeBernardo
  • Robert Joseph Pacella
  • Jeremy Parco Koontz
  • Hollie Christine Koberlein
  • Sarah June Easton

Award of the American College of Dentists, Ohio Division

To the graduate selected for scholastic attainment and the greatest potential for professional achievement

  • Morgan Simone Celistan        

Callahan Prize

To the graduate who excelled in scholarship, clinical achievement and worthy extracurricular activities, and who shows promise of professional attainment

  • Wangsoo Lee

Recognition Plaque of the International College of Dentists Student Leadership Award

To the graduate who demonstrated the most professional development during the four years of dental school

  • Morgan Simone Celistan        

Recognition Plaque of the International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award

to the graduate who demonstrated significant leadership and exemplary character traits when participating in humanitarian service or projects

  • Haesun Souh

Academy of General Dentistry Senior Dental Student Award

To the senior student displaying the highest potential and aptitude for the general practice of dentistry

  • Chang Hyun Lee        

The Academy of Operative Dentistry Award

For excellence in operative dentistry at the undergraduate level

  • Abrar Jahin Khan       

American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry

To the graduate who has demonstrated the most clinical proficiency and interest in esthetic dentistry during the year

  • Jeremy Parco Koontz

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

For the senior student who has demonstrated exemplary aptitude and achievement in OAMP

  • Jeremy Parco Koontz

American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award

For exceptional interest and accomplishments in the field of dental radiology

  • Lauren Hoang Thai    

American Academy of Oral Medicine Award

To the senior student who is outstanding in the field of oral medicine

  • Alexander John DeBernardo 

Annual Student Award of the American Academy of Periodontology

In recognition of outstanding achievement in periodontics

  • Jeong Min Kim

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award

For exemplary aptitude and achievement in the field of oral surgery

  • Jeremy Parco Koontz

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Award

For outstanding achievements and performance related to the placement of dental implants

  • Ana Burilo

American Association of Orthodontists Award

For exceptional interest in the field of orthodontics

  • Jiabao Sun

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award    

In recognition of achievements in community dentistry and dental public health

  • Melany E Leek           

American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Inc. Horace Wells Senior Student Award

In recognition of proficiency in the field of anesthesia in dentistry

  • Ana Burilo      

Certificate of Merit AAPD Predoctoral Student Award

To the most outstanding senior in the field of dentistry for children

  • Cody Wei Ming Sia    

Dean’s Award

Presented in recognition of academic and clinical excellence

  • Tasneem Zaben
  • Kyeong Hwan Kim
  • Ru Guo Yang
  • Laura Marie Gennaro 
  • Rock Tyler Shadduck
  • Amanda Beauchamp Pillai
  • Christopher Legendre
  • Myoungsu Song

The Eleanor Bushee AAWD Senior Woman Dental Award

For recognition of a senior woman dental student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and academic excellence

  • Hanan Izzat Beck      

The International Congress of Oral Implantologists

In recognition of outstanding contribution to research and education in the field of oral implantology

  • Jacob Allen Tall         

The Joseph D. Gage Award

For the senior exemplifying the highest level of professional and humanitarian ideals in the field of general practice dentistry

  • Sarah Elizabeth Forsberg      

The Pierre Fauchard Academy Senior Award

For leadership and dedication to the advancement of dental literature

  • Rohan Madyhani        

The Pierre Fauchard Academy Dental Student Scholarship Award

To the individual who has demonstrated the greatest potential of developing into an outstanding leader in the dental profession

  • Sarah Elizabeth Forsberg

The Quintessence Award

For clinical achievement in periodontics

  • Haesun Souh 

The Quintessence Award

For clinical achievement in restorative dentistry

  • Alexander Joseph DiMassa  

The Quintessence Award

For research achievement

  • Lauren Hoang Thai    

The Richard A. Collier Prize

For the most outstanding business plan

  • Jeremy Parco Koontz            

The Robert Dean Feder Award

For exceptional interest in community dentistry

  • Morgan Simone Celistan        

Sherwood/Hrutkay Award

For excellence in the field of endodontics

  • Brandt Samuel Hansen         

Hanau Award, Given by Whip Mix Corporation

To the graduate who has excelled in the study and clinical application of prosthodontics

  • Tasneem  Zaben       

American Equilibration Society Award

For outstanding performance in the science of occlusion and temporomandibular joint function

  • Gideon Michael Arnett

Delta Dental Fund Student Leadership Award

To the graduate who displayed outstanding leadership, service and scholarship in the School of Dental Medicine

  • Sarah Elizabeth Forsberg

Delta Dental Fund Community Commitment Award

To an outstanding student who has demonstrated his or her commitment to community service by agreeing to practice in an identified underserved community that has received a federal designation as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)

  • Anthony Victor Lyamichev

Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award

For an excellent performance in periodontics

  • Wangsoo Lee

American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award

To the graduate who has demonstrated the most interest, academically and clinically, in implant dentistry

  • Brandt Samuel Hansen         

The Academy of Osseointegration Award

To an outstanding student in the field of implant dentistry

  • Wangsoo Lee

Department of Periodontics Recognition Award

For outstanding clinical achievement in periodontology and dental implants

  • Jeong Min Kim

Dr. B.D. Amberman Award

To the graduating senior who shows the greatest promise in pursuing a career in the specialty of orthodontics

  • Anna Maria Ganios    

American College of Prosthodontists

For prosthodontic accomplishments during dental school education and not for those in specialty training programs

  • Phillip Mui       

American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award

To an outstanding student who has demonstrated the greatest commitment and interest to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain

  • Sarah Grace Curtis

Chalmers J. Lyons Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (CJL) Award

To the student who has achieved didactic and clinical excellence in oral and maxillofacial surgery

  • Jeremy Parco Koontz