Moravec named Dental Hygienist of the Year

In recognition of her years of outstanding service and leadership in the dental hygiene profession, Lisa Moravec, an assistant professor in the department of dental hygiene at the UNMC College of Dentistry, received the 2017 Dental Hygienist of the Year Award at the Nebraska Dental Hygiene Association (NDHA) Annual Session on April 28.

Lisa Moravec (Photo by Margaret Cain)

Since the day she served as secretary in the NDHA during her senior year of school at the UNMC College of Dentistry, Moravec has devoted her professional life to enriching the dental hygiene profession.

“My love for the profession has grown ever since, and I am humbled and honored by this award,” Moravec said.

Moravec graduated with her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene in 2002 from the UNMC College of Dentistry and received her master’s degree in dental hygiene with an emphasis in education from Idaho State University in 2011.

She has served in a variety of roles with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association, Panhandle Component Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association, Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association, American Dental Educators Association, UNMC College of Dentistry Alumni Association and Dean’s Advisory Board, and the Nebraska Panhandle Area Health Education Center.

Through it all, Moravec said she has tried to use every opportunity to advance the profession, be a mentor to colleagues, and provide engaging, evidence-based learning opportunities for her students.

“I have had the privilege of serving as the site coordinator for the UNMC College of Dentistry West Division Dental Hygiene program for nine years now, and I still learn something new each day,” Moravec said.

The award reflects Moravec’s excitement for the profession, said Heather Hessheimer, an assistant professor in the department of dental hygiene at the UNMC College of Dentistry.

“I am excited for Lisa to get recognition with this prestigious award. She has done so much for the profession of dental hygiene and is truly deserving of Dental Hygienist of the Year,” Hessheimer said.

Others honors include:

• Jason Brisbin, DH3, is the 2017-18 student delegate for District VIII;
• Dustin Schock, DH4, is the 2016-17 student delegate for District VIII;
• Jessica Zimmerer, DH3, received the NDHA student scholarship;
• Tracy Herbst, DH4, and Ashley Keim, DH4, received the NDHA outstanding student awards; and
• The UNMC College of Dentistry Department of Dental Hygiene was recognized for having 100 percent membership of students and faculty in the NDHA.