Twenty-six second-year dental students and 24 third-year dental hygiene students recently signed pledges committing themselves to a higher level of professional responsibility as they begin their clinical experiences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry.
The college’s annual Clinic Transition Ceremony took place Dec. 2 at the UNMC College of Dentistry in Lincoln during which students were called up one-by-one to sign a pledge and put on the new blue coat they will wear while working with patients.
John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean of the college, said the ceremony was a celebration of the students’ transition into patient care as well as an opportunity to stress the importance of professionalism — including appearance, ethical behavior, honesty and compassion — in caring for the needs of patients.
Hometowns and names of the students are listed below.
Dental students
Beatrice — Elizabeth A. Chaloupek, Daniel D. Gleason, Justin J. Villafane, Nicholas C. Woodward
Central City — Kristen R. Ryan
Cozad — Thomas J. Nelsen
Eklhorn — Clint K. Lee
Fremont — Bethany J. Olson
Grand Island — Joshua P. King
Kearney — Katherine A. Meyer
Lexington — Mindy L. Teetor
Lincoln — Matthew S. Ames, William A. Dabbert, Nathan B. Helm, Tammy S. Huffman, Ryan A. Long, Aaron L. McCormick, Hao V. Pham, David L. Porter, Kathryn Y. Shakena
Lodgepole — Leasa M. Hlavinka
North Platte — Nathan M. McConnell, James E. Thalken
Omaha — Chad J. McClellan
Papillion — Corinne E. Gershon
Pleasanton — Stacy M. Schmitz
Superior — Elisa K. Wiest
Utica — Brent E. Murphy
West Point – Brandi K. Roeber
Belle Fourche, S.D. — Matt E. Nehl
Blunt, S.D. — Dane T. Steffen
Carson City, Nevada — Eric A. Avitia
Cheney, Kan. — Kate E. Voth
Cooperstown, N.D. — Caron L. Berg
Duluth, Minn. — Amy J. Haworth
Great Bend, Kan. — Jamie L. Thurman
Hill City, Kan. — Geoffrey C. Riley
Logan, Utah — Alfred M. Burns
Ogden, Utah — Christopher B. Pobanz
Pierre, S.D. — Meaghan A. Anderson
St. Joseph, Mo. — Ryan E. Thomas
Spearfish, S.D. — Monique M. Dana
Wichita, Kan. — Paul W. Anders
Wheatland, Wyo. — Carl A. Trout
Dental Hygiene students
Alliance – Allison A. Glassbrenner, Kalee A. Graham, Tracy R. Lambert,
Ainsworth – Cammie J. Lechtenberg
Bancroft — Allison R. Zwygart
Bayard – Andrea N. Sankey
Beatrice — Anne E. Greenwell
Broken Bow – Ashley R. Patterson
Chappell – Alyssa A. Derry
Columbus – Nichole E. Schmid
David City – Renee E. Supancheck
Fremont – Elizabeth M. Hinrichs
Kearney – Megahn M. Schaepler
Lincoln – Heather M. Marr, Kelli A. Ruhn
Omaha — Cori A. Baquero-Cruz, Keri A. Schmadeke, Jennifer L. Stephenson, Lyndsie L. Werner
Overton — Tami J. Gruntorad
Oxford — Sarah B. Jackson
Papillion – Jennifer A. Murray
Winside — Kalynda B. Hokamp
Hornick, Iowa — Rachel J. MacClure