University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry student,
John McPherson of Kemmerer, Wyo., has received the Omicron Kappa Upsilon
Kramer Award of Excellence. McPherson, a junior dental student, was selected
based on his scholastic record, character, potential for advancement in
the dentistry profession, service to humanity and dedication and service.
He is the son of Richard and Melody McPherson of Ft. Morgan, Colo.
The award is named after William S. Kramer, D.D.S., a retired faculty
member of the UNMC College of Dentistry in Lincoln. Dr. Kramer is past
president of the supreme chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon and was a longtime
secretary-treasurer of the organization.
Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a dental honorary society that consists of 58
chapters in the United States, was founded in 1914 at Northwestern University
Dental School in Evanston, Ill., to encourage and develop a spirit of achievement
among students in dentistry and to recognize students who distinguish themselves
in scholarly activities.
The award is given annually to one outstanding student at each dental
school in the United States. To qualify, the students must have completed
their second year.
The UNMC College of Dentistry, which celebrated its 100th anniversary
last year, serves Nebraskans and states that have no dental schools, including
Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming. For five of the last six
years, the colleges freshman class has ranked first among the 55 U.S.
dental schools for incoming grade-point average. The college offers programs
in doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.), bachelors degree in dental hygiene,
certificate in dental hygiene, a general practice residency program and
post-graduate specialty programs in endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics,
pediatric dentistry and prosthodontics.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment, solid organ transplantation and arthritis.
During the past year, nearly $31 million in research grants and contracts
were awarded to UNMC scientists, and UNMCs funding from the National Institutes
of Health increased by 28 percent, going from $16.2 million to $20.7 million.
UNMCs educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.