Graduates include students from the schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, Public Health, Graduate Studies, Dentistry and Medicine. Among the degrees to be awarded will be the first doctorate from the School of Public Health.

Leslie Bernstein, dean for faculty affairs and professor and director of cancer etiology at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif., will be the principal speaker.

Honor graduates

Chancellor’s Award recipients: Daniel Scott Eads, medicine; Micah Joel Metrailer, nursing; Nicole Elizabeth Thieler, dental surgery; Vial Joseph LeBlanc III, dental laboratory technology; Jordan Nicole Denaille, dental hygiene; Erin Graugnard Rushing, allied health professions; and Katherine Dawn Peak, public health.

Summa cum laude: Linda Kay Clement, Meghan Catherine Jones, Myungok Lee, Isha Katrine Matta, Cassan Nicole Pulaski, Christopher Paul Ignatius Zetzmann and Xiequn Zhang.

Magna cum laude: Bridget Noelle Andrieu, Gary Ray Norcio Fernandez, Brandon Lee Garrett, Lindsay Elizabeth Hummel, Yangyang Liu, Maura Caton Mohler and Katherine Dawn Peak.

Cum laude: Alexandria Lutisha Augustus, Jessica Catherine Chauvin, Jordan Nicole Denaille, Blair Renee Ducote, Natalie Marie Gerdes, Kaitlan Elizabeth Guthrie, Lindsey Grace Henthorn, Casey Collins Myers, Landry Margaret Picou and Adrienne Stephanie Woods.

Other honored graduates: Lindsey Kathryn Abell, Eileen Ester Aguilar, Ashley Marie Altazin, Bridget Noelle Andrieu, Ashley Elizabeth Arms, Martha Jennilee Arrington, Katasha Maria August, Erica Paige Backes, Robert John Banta Jr., Christopher Arthur Baracco, Ariana Leigh Beck, Ashley Elizabeth Bellerino, Jonathan Clark Bonfiglio, Renee Elizabeth Bourgeois, Matthew Benjamin Brady, Joshua Stephen Brandner, Kevin James Bray, Ashley Ruth Broha, Brandon Carleton Brown, Jeremy Damon Brown, Christopher George Brummerhop, Haley My-Huyen Bui, Zachary Taylor Bulmanski, Robin Ardoin Bundick, Emily Augustin Burgin, Erin Elizabeth Carter, Amy Lynn Catalano, Lacey Marie Clement, Tracy Lynn Cochran, Carrie Leigh Comeaux, Ashleigh Elizabeth Creel, Karen Hauptmann Cretini, Paige Allyson Culotta, Lindsay Blair Day, Whitney Patricia DeVun, Erin Denise Digiglia, Judith Ann Dodd, Sara Beth Doguet, Shelly Ann Duet, Amna Damin Essa, LaShina Finley, Patricia Claire Gallagher, Lacey Elizabeth Galliano, Julie Baham Gallois, Candace Claire Gantt, Brandon Lee Garrett, Cameron Lewis Gelis, Amanda Marie Giacona, Carl Joseph Giffin III, Matthew Darrin Giglia, Kristen Nicole Gilberti, Kevin Sylvan Gipson, Lindsey Michelle Goodwin, Jillion Clare Gostl, Jason Richard Gray, Kristen Renée Guilbeau, Gerard Rupert Guidry Jr., Grant Colvin Gunstream, Kaitlyn Marie Hayes, Caroline Anastasia Holland, Andrew Edward Hood, Wendy Renée Hounsel, Warren James Huber III, Nikki Michelle Hunter, Stuart Yeilding Huntsman, Elizabeth Anne Jennings, Cole Jerome Johnson, Samantha Marie Jones, Brett Stockton Kathmann, Elise Michel Kelone, Jordan Lynn Killeen, Michelle Catherine Knecht, Ian Joseph Landesman, Kimberly Hoffpauir Landrum, Perry Christopher Laspe, Nicholas Lawrence Lavin, Kayla Michelle LeBlanc, Jacob Alexander Lessing, Gretchen Rochelle Loeber, Rebecca Ann Mahoney, Nichole Marie Malbrough, Kadi Dreher Malek, Ashley Wilks Maness, Lori Waguespack Matherne, Ryan Kelsey May, Mary Katherine McClendon, Jacob Charles McInnis, Anna Pasvantis Melerine, Chelsea Hardaway Miller, Jerry Paul Miller III, Amanda Rose Mullen, Angela Parker Murray, Rachel Ann Nelson, Jeffrey Cuong Nguyen, Linda Nhung Nguyen, Thunga Thi Nguyen, Vy Thuc Nguyen, Danielle Elizabeth O’Banion, Steven Paul Ogden, Robert Patrick Owens, Angele Marie Park, Olivia Jin-Young Park, Joshua Christian Patella, Bridgette Elizabeth Payne, Jonathan Morgan Perkins, Alexis Nicole Phaup, Landry Margaret Picou, Evan Randall Pierce, Haley Theresa Pontiff, Blake Everett Price, Elise Marie Puissegur, Keleigh Jaclyn Quimby, Jeffrey Allen Rachal, Jason Paul Recatto, Daniel Fredrick Redard, Meredith Mize Reuter, Brittany Lyn Reynolds, Jeffrey David Robertson, Jeffrey Paul Roussel, Rachel Mary Sander, Andrea Kathryn Sanders, Sarah Anne Scheidler, Brian Joseph Schmidt, Sarah Rose Schmidt, Seth Paul Schouest, Catherine Elizabeth Simpson, Rosemary Hulda Smith, Melissa Ann Spera, Stephen Michael Spindel, Krista Leigh Stern, James Walter Steves, Diya Surie, Amanda Lynn Sweeney, David Michael Tadin, Sahar Talebloo, D’Juan Sylvester Thompson, Lisa Marie Todd, Hai Tuan Vu, Joseph Alan Willis and Caitlin Worthington Yerkes.

All graduates

School of Allied Health Professions

Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science: Casey Richardson Bergeron, Amy Caroline Boll, Ashleigh Elizabeth Creel, Randy Joseph D’Antoni, Amber Troxler Garza, Lakieva LaShawn Gerard, Peggy Ann Hill, Caroline Anastasia Holland, Jennifer Kay Hutchison, Jordan Lynn Killeen, My-An Nguyen, Daniel Fredrick Redard, Tiffany Ann Reese, April Lynn Schmidt and Kylie Marie Tissue.

Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology: Don Patrick Adams Jr., Liliana Lorena Arce Delgado, Elizabeth Ashley Bayers, Laura Janet Bogren, Elizabeth Marie Breaux, Christopher George Brummerhop, Miriam Corti, Christine Astrid Creger, Naomi Joyce Cross, Ashlee Marie Deeters, Casey Ann Dugas, Brandon Lee Garrett, Cameron Lewis Gelis, Camille Elizabeth James, Erik Kent Janeke, Tori Michelle Jones, Rhiannon Marie Kidd, Arianne Michelle Lee, Nathaniel Mayfield II, Rachel Ashley McMillian, Jacob Paul Morvant, Linda Nhung Nguyen, Evan Randall Pierce, Shalon Antoinette Polite, Amy Janelle Ratley and Dijon Chante Wilson.

Master of Communication Disorders: Eileen Ester Aguilar, Nakia Chynell Banks, Lauren Nicole Baudoin, Amy Lynn Catalano, Melissa Ann Chabert, Courtney Leigh Chaisson, Lauren Marie Colvin, Hannah Blair Deshotels, Ashley Danielle Ellis, Amna Damin Essa, Jillion Clare Gostl, Halley Elizabeth Hennington, Paraskevi Nichola Karahlanis, Kayla Michelle LeBlanc, Laura Elizabeth LeBlanc, Holly Nell Mabry, Nicole Erica McTernan, Virginia Lill Netterville, Elizabeth Ann Picou, Andrea Claire Pinac, Sarah Rose Prudhomme, Kristen Marie Reboul, Maegan Claire Reese, Meredith Mize Reuter, Sheena Colleen Ryan, Renee Michelle Souther, Angelle Marie Villarrubia, Amber Nicole Whitfield and Lisa Kathryn Zeppuhar.

Master of Occupational Therapy: Catherine Morella Arceneaux, Theresa Renée Autin, Katherine Elizabeth Beckman, Kayla Rebecca Bruce, Mary Elizabeth Buras, Lacey Marie Clement, Michele Elise Domengeaux, Anna Lucy Giannobile, Andree Katherine Gooch Gray, Lisa Meza Harrell, Willie Clarence Harris IV, Reshelle Leonita Jones, Elise Michel Kelone, Katherine Marie Kinler, Kristin Elizabeth Cloud Labranche, Alexandra Lee LaMarca, Clare Louise Landry, Kasey Marie Legrand, Kristy Lynn McCoy, Abby Lynn Meehan, Ervin Douglas Miller, Rachel Ann Nelson, Heidi Rebecca Newman, Vy Thuc Nguyen, Jennifer Lynn Nicholson, Amy Marie Pellerin, Charles Francis Piazza, Carly Elizabeth Ristroph, Traci Marie Serio, Krish Kiran Sethi, Rosemary Hulda Smith, Lauren Ann Sonnier, Lisa Marie Todd, Lynda Du Thi Tran, Laura Catherine Weeks and Gloria Elizabeth Yuratich.

Master of Health Sciences in Rehabilitation Counseling: Sonica Surendra Babu, Erica Paige Backes, Cathleen Drew Castle, Tracy Lynn Cochran, Kirsten Lanara Feast, Monica Addeli Filos, Virginia Louise Hamilton, Elizabeth Anne Jennings, Camille Inez Kean, Jessica Ann Lalumia, Nikki Christina Lawrence, Lauren Elizabeth Randazza, Andrea Kathryn Sanders, Rhonda Sheikha and Ashley Dina White.

Master of Health Sciences in Medical Technology: Amee Marie Boquet, Becky Lynn Melerine, Jasmine Hasley Paul, Shannon Adams Skena and Joseph Charles Sudkamp Jr.

Master of Health Sciences in Blood Banking: Daniel Patrick Held.

Doctor of Audiology: Ashley Elizabeth Arms, Courtney Elizabeth Beatrous, Amanda Landry Burkenstock, Adelaide Jane Dowell, Samantha Marie Jones, Brittany Catherine Milligan, Gretchen Claire Perkins, Erica Jeanne Pierce, Brittany Lyn Reynolds, Erin Graugnard Rushing, Tiffany Fontenot Schexnayder and Amanda Michelle Troyer.

Doctor of Physical Therapy: Lindsey Kathryn Abell, Jonathan Logan Albritton, Quinn Vito Asaro, Robert John Banta Jr., Christopher Arthur Baracco, Brittany Ann Bates, Erica Michelle Baum, Lindsay Lee Benjamin, Dustin Valls Bernard, Jonathan Clark Bonfiglio, Justin Anthony Breaux, Chelsea Marie Broekstra, Byron Nicholas Cart, Sarah Elizabeth Clesi, Bryan Russell Crowder Jr., Lindsay Blair Day, Carrie Elizabeth DeLuca, Whitney Patricia DeVun, Austin Michael Glahn, Derek Harris Guidry, Teri Clouatre Hammonds, Ryan Thomas Hill, Kaitlin Elizabeth Hoychick, Allen Joseph Julian, Beth Griffin Kimball, Robert Dave Lazarine Jr., Rebecca Ann Mahoney, Chelsea Elwick Martinez, Lori Waguespack Matherne, Ashley Rose Miramon, Leah Mouledous Naquin, Ansley Coscarart Niland, Melissa Ann Ortego, Angele Marie Park, Lindsay Michelle Randazzo, Sarah Rose Schmidt, Jeremy Lee Smith, Krista Leigh Stern, Patrick Joseph Thompson and Lydia Hamilton Tompkins.

School of Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Linda Walley Abner, Alaina Lynne Adams, Jessica Lynn Adams, Rachel Louise Adams, Amanda Michelle Allain, Rodmistrial Riance-Miggonnettia Allen, Jessica Angerdina, Julie Brooke Arthur, Elise Caitlin Atkinson, Cody Wallace Aucoin, Katasha Maria August, Mary Catherine Ayo, Matthew Gerard Babin, Courtney Belsome Bahr, Brittany Jeana’ Bailey, Brandie Marie Baque, Julia Elizabeth Batchelder, Lauren Elizabeth Baudry, Alexis Jameka Tashe’ Bennett, Kelly Jayne Bennett, Hannah Lynn Best, Brittany Rose Bienvenu, Brittany Michelle Blenkarn, Jessica Danyel Bolin, Jeffrey Jay Bordelon, Trang Bui Bordes, Elyse Dianne Bower, Jocelyn Jones Braselman, Zoe Tagen Brauner, Emily Mary Breaux, Ashley Dawn Brown, Chelsea Catherine Buchanan, Patrick Dean Buchta, Sean Michael Buchta, Bryan Thomas Buechler, Lauryn Theresa Burns, Emily Paige Callens, Devyn Nicolle Cambre, Stacie Louise Campiere, Dana Antoinette Campo, Analiese Michelle Cardaronella, Courtney Marie Carpenter, Angela Marie Cascino, Kristin Elizabeth Ceruti, Donald Robert Chaucer Jr., Jessica Catherine Chauvin, Meagan Nichole Claret, Victoria Lafaye Clark, Hannah Louise Clarke, Natasha Franklin Cleveland, Cullen Barry Coffman, Ariane Marie Collins, Katherine Elizabeth Conley, Brett Thomas Connolly, Camille Marie Cousin, Jennifer Cruz, Amy Elizabeth Dares, Jamie Caitlin Davis, Laura Kathleen Davis, Cody Marcel DeMagnus, Nicholas Ramon Diaz, Erin Denise Digiglia, Joseph Lucas DiLeo III, Judith Ann Dodd, Abby Orkus Donnelly, Erin Elizabeth Donnelly, Collyn Marie Driscoll, Anjell Monique Duplantier, Danielle Marie Dupont, Erika Lynn Edwards, Heidi Marie Eiserloh, Emilie Khristine Eller, Jordan Elizabeth Ellis, Lauren Elizabeth Eustis, Amanda Lynn Evans, Alaina Marie Fangue, Jeffrey Michael Farnet, Mary Kathleen Finnigan, Brad Roy Fitzsimmons, Kelly Ann Fleming, Taylor Marie Flick, Brooke Marie Fontenot, Erika Danyelle Fontenot, James Curtis Foshee, Jenna Leigh Gainey, Allyson Renee Gardiner, Brittany Theresa Garey, Margaret Cecile Garon, Angelle Cecile Gelé, Kathryn Anastasia Gerchow, Natalie Marie Gerdes, Rachel Kateri Gibbons, Kristen Nicole Gilberti, Ashley Paige Gilchrist, Heather Michelle Gouner, Michael Evan Grabert, Adam Ross Graham, Laura Katherine Gremillion, Valerie Luquette Gunawan, Grant Colvin Gunstream, Elena Neklutin Hagstette, Amanda Marie Harrell, Maira Alejandra Harris, Kaitlyn Marie Hayes, Rebecca Lee Hentze, Chester Leandro Hernandez, Kaycie Lynn Hernandez, Amanda Lynn Hill, Meghan Lee Hodson, Shayna Harper Hogan, Wendy Renée Hounsel, Erin Elizabeth Hughes, Hillary Elizabeth Hymel, Vivian A. Isaula, Andrea Houston Jeane, Andrea Favalora Jeanfreau, Ting Jiang, Michelle Angela Johnson, Patrice Ann Johnson, Rebecca Diane Johnson, Erin Rachel Kalbacher, KaChettral Cha-Vonntae Keasley, Sandra Diana Kelly, Natalie Renee Kot, Katherine Greer Krail, Ingrid Orellana Krainski, Emily Elizabeth Krazit, Katy Lynn Kuhn, Mallory Marie Kuss, Kim Lopez LaCombe, Amanda Cerise Legarde, Carlie Jeanne Lagarde, Lacie Marie Laiche, Ashley Elizabeth Landry, Andrew William Larkin, Alexander Kiet-Nhan Le, Danielle Colette Lemon, Brent Joseph Leonard, Mindy Ann Levatino, Rebecca Florence Levy, Jessica Cox Lirette, Gretchen Rochelle Loeber, Theresa Alexis Loomis, Anastasia Marie Lopiccolo, Michelle Elizabeth Lousteau, Michael Rush Luhowiak, Corey Garrod Luke, Morgan Kaye Mahaffey, Kadi Dreher Malek, Elizabeth Frances Marlowe, Jennie Marie Martin, Mirtza Liseth Martinez, Hannah Jeanine Matte, Jennifer Anne Mattern, Amber Suzette Mccraney, Eileen Hoyle McMillan, Abby Louise Meche, Jessica Lynn Meister, Brittani Amanda Mejia, Jennell Jakia Melancon, Lauren Nicole Mendez, Micah Joel Metrailer, Amber Michelle Miley, Chelsea Hardaway Miller, Rachel Leigh Mills, Robert Wayne Mixon Jr., Melanie Michelle Monroe, Katherine Anne Montalbano, Katheryn Rita Montamat, Kelsey Elizabeth Monte, Yakisha Gatlin Montes, Jerrilynn Lillie Moore, Lance Ryan Morello, Angela Parker Murray, Casey Collins Myers, Brittani Lynn Naccari, Matthew Charles Naquin, Carli Danielle Newell, Sophia Thi Thuy Nguyen, Tuan Van Nguyen, Jessica Sophia Nieves, Kerryn Margo O’Flaherty, Tabitha Callahan Overby, Sarah Conarty Owens, Brittany Ann Pastor, Kimberly Catherine Paternostro, Moniqueko Lewis Percival, Phillip Jason Podret, Haley Theresa Pontiff, Sarah Caroline Posseno, Rebecca Susan Powers, Monique Nicole Price, Amanda Lynn Rabalais, Jeffrey Allen Rachal, Craig Robert Redgrave, Melissa Grant Richmond, Brady Trist Rivet, Jillian Hanover Rodick, Vallerie Danette Rogers, Jeffrey Paul Roussel, Heather Marie Rouyer, Krista Marie Rozycki, Mary Elise Saitta, Rachel Mary Sander, Lori Stephens Sandifer, Richon Marie Saunders, Sarah Anne Scheidler, Trena Crawford Schenck, Raechel Lynn Schexnaildre, Cortney Rebecca Schmidt, Allison Michelle Scurria, Heidi Ann Serigne, Whitney Marie Serio, Stephanie Elizabeth Sevier, Emily Clair Small, Erin Catherine Smith, Frances Kavanaugh Smith, Jigna Harshul Soni, Kelly Matherne Spalt, Michelle Aucoin Stieffel, Jennifer Lynn Stovall, Amber Nichole Swisshelm, Katasha Taylor, Tamara Akilah Taylor, Ashley Lauren Tessitore, D’Juan Sylvester Thompson, Carrie Ann Thomson, John Peter Tobin III, Mary Elizabeth Truxillo, William Evron Tujague, Erin Elizabeth Van Zandt, Linda Jean Veals, Roma Latoria Victor, Robert Clarence Villio III, Tina Thanh Vo, Leslie Clair Wade, Victoria Ann Wagley, Anthony Olson Watkins, Erin Elizabeth Watson, Danielle Jessica Weaver, Renata Monique Weber, Caitlin Michelle Weilbaecher, Ronisha Jhonique White, Danielle Nicole Whitney, Emily Danielle Williams, Alycee Theresa Wilson, Caitlin Worthington Yerkes, Jared Michael Yore and Hector Jordan Zayas.

Master of Science in Nursing — Nurse Educator: Allison Vallee Cado, Shelly Ann Duet, Kimberly Dawsey Easterling, Gerard Rupert Guidry Jr., Margaret Elaine Leonard, Trudy Baker McLaurin and Anna Brewster Morris.

Master of Nursing — Nursing Administration: Patti Gilthorpe Barovechio, Cynthia Wheelis Ingram, Derrick Bernard O’Neal, Rose M. Schaubhut and Heather Alexis Walker.

Master of Nursing — Nurse Anesthesia: Thomas Edward Allison III, Andrea Alverez-Dorsey, Tara Marie Blake, Kristyn Rosa Bohrer, Trisha Bonanno Bordelon, Jennifer Arynn Breaux, Brandon Carleton Brown, Mack Allen Brown, Robin Ardoin Bundick, Jennifer Rae Chambers, Carrie Leigh Comeaux, Karen Hauptmann Cretini, Dominick Diecidue III, Christine Elizabeth Ewing, Jude Julien Foret, Ashley Justin Galloway, Erin Leila Maxwell Gardner, Jennifer Rose Humphreys, Alfred Wilford Johnson, Melissa Jean Jumonville, Tiffany Monique Leake, Frederick Bentz Mallini, Dale La Van Martin, Catherine Rita Mayer, Grenes Joseph Meyaski II, Todd Daniel Morgan, Erin Shackleford Murphy, Blanche Kimberly Norton, Bridgette Elizabeth Payne, Mark Henry Peart, Tara Brady Percle, Neal Randall Popichak, Wendy Lynn Ramirez, Jason Paul Recatto, Candis Dawn Reily, Kristen Allenday Rogers, Angel Marie Schexneider, Seth Paul Schouest, Joy Adele Soniat, John Ross Taylor, Tracy Celeste Villarreal, Hai Tuan Vu and Elaine Fratesi Zinger.

Master of Nursing — Community Health Nursing: Denise LeBeau Dandridge and Simone Olivier Stewart.

Master of Nursing — Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner: William Louis Anderson, Heather Sue Aymond, Michaelyn Hernandez Brabham, Lanesha Thomas Bracy, Heather Lynn Brooks, Sarah Wallace Eisworth, Jennifer Lane Gilly, Shekinah Monique Gleason, Celina Theriot Hargenrader, Nikki Michelle Hunter, Mary Kathleen Jackson, Kenya Knox-Lewis, Stefanie Ann Laiche, Suzanne Savage Lancaster, Shawndolyn Kenyitta Lebine, Laura Duet Leckelt, Angelle Marie Lew, Michelle White Lindsey, Melissa Adcox Lumpkin, Michelle Andrea Macaluso, Shari Lyn Malaki-Tran, Summer Andrews Marshall, Jeanette Leona Naquin, Yvonnie Popovits Oakley, Mia Portier Oubre, Chevelle Lordez Parker, Michele Smith Patel, Wanda Seiders Pezant, Kelsey McNitt Prather, Gina Marie Ragusa, Brittany Wax Saale, Ashley Elizabeth Sabrier, Yong Mei Tan, Elsa Elizabeth Treadway and Dianna Waller Wadsworth.

Master of Nursing — Adult Health Illness: Debbra Thompson Pogue and Leatrice Shavonne Williams.

Master of Nursing — Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: Aimee Breland Barrois and Amber Noele Varnado.

Doctor of Nursing Science: Amanda Singleton Eymard and Todd Michael Keller.

School of Public Health

Master of Science: Jennifer Dawn Hayden and Xiequn Zhang.

Master of Public Health: Alexandria Lutisha Augustus, Rebecca Lynn Brennan, Laurie Speyrer Chiasson, Brittany Reshelle Demas, Donald Charles Faust, Gary Ray Norcio Fernandez, Christopher Reynolds Freeman, Kaitlan Elizabeth Guthrie, Monique Renee Henry, Lindsay Elizabeth Hummel, Meghan Catherine Jones, Ian Thomas Landry, Yangyang Liu, Isha Katrine Matta, Krystle Dionne Miles, Maura Caton Mohler, Katherine Dawn Peak, Cassan Nicole Pulaski, Samir Vasanta Shambharkar, Lauren Kate Sherrer, Priyanka Tatini, Adrienne Stephanie Woods, Christopher Paul Zetzmann and Lu Zhang.

Doctor of Philosophy — Biostatistics: Myungok Lee.

School of Graduate Studies

Master of Science: David Edward Litner.

Doctor of Philosophy: Matthew William Auten, Lyndsey Ross Buckner, Sun Mi Choi, Alain Joshua D’Souza, Youssef Errami, Mary Worrel Hulin, Rennie Underwood Jacobs, Elisa Marie Ledet, Sarah Mahne, Manish Kumar Rana, Purvaba Jasvantsinh Sarvaiya, Benjamin Alexander Siddoway, David Thomas Stark, Annie Whitaker and Xin Xu.

School of Dentistry

Associate of Science in Dental Laboratory Technology: LaShina Finley, Vial Joseph LeBlanc III, Jeffrey Cuong Nguyen, Sunny Michelle Mignon Russell and Sahar Talebloo.

Bachelor of Science in Dental Laboratory Technology: Hesham Saleh Al-Madani, Linda Kay Clement, Perry Christopher Laspe and Tam Thanh Nguyen.

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene: Bridget Noelle Andrieu, Jadi Bourque Bacon, Ashley Elizabeth Bellerino, Tammy Ann Berthelot, Kelly Andreé Bertrand, Ashley Ruth Broha, Jordan Nicole Denaille, Stephanie Claire DeRouen, Blair Renee Ducote, Ashley Renee Dudgeon, Kristin Nicole Dupre, Lacey Elizabeth Galliano, Candace Claire Gantt, Amanda Marie Giacona, Kristen Renée Guilbeau, Lindsey Grace Henthorn, Jamie Lee Johnson, Amber Michelle Kreko, Lauren Denise Landreneau, Amanda Weishar Long, Nichole Marie Malbrough, Ashley Wilks Maness, Kylee Claire Miranda, Amanda Rose Mullen, Landry Margaret Picou, Lauren Aleyse Precht, Leslie Camille Richoux, Lacie Ann Riehm, Kelly Ann Stoltz, Amanda Lynn Sweeney, Addie Renee Thevenet, Jordan Elizabeth Walker, Adrian Louise Work and Heather Elizabeth Young.

Doctor of Dental Surgery: Ashley Marie Altazin, Jason Robert Alvarez, Martha Jennilee Arrington, Renee Elizabeth Bourgeois, Matthew Benjamin Brady, Joshua Stephen Brandner, Jeremy Damon Brown, Haley My-Huyen Bui, Zachary Taylor Bulmanski, Erin Elizabeth Carter, Princess Danielle Causey, Khuong Nguyen Cheuk, Danielle Rae Decou, Donovan Chase Dronet, John Adams Faller, Michael Ryan Farrar, Chad Michael Gustafson, Jeffery Allen Hennigan, Hung Anh Hoang, John Leslie Hobgood III, Thomas McCall Holman, Andrew Edward Hood, Stuart Yeilding Huntsman, Mohammed Said Ismail, Cole Jerome Johnson, Catrinel Elena Jordan, Richard Carpio Keech, Khaliq Ali Khan, Kevin Allen Kidder, Ian Joseph Landesman, Kallie Beth Leyser, Chase Ray Martin, Elizabeth Schauf Matthews, Ryan Kelsey May, Mary Katherine McClendon, Jacob Charles McInnis, Katie Beaver Medine, Danny Ba Nguyen, Quynh The Nguyen, Thunga Thi Nguyen, Olivia Jin-Young Park, Jay Ashok Patel, Joshua Christian Patella, Phillip Anthony Petitto, Alexis Nicole Phaup, Blake Everett Price, Elise Marie Puissegur, Keleigh Jaclyn Quimby, Richard Martin Rathke Jr., Jennifer Ann Rome, Brian Joseph Schmidt, Charles Zachary Staples, Nicole Elizabeth Thieler, Jessica Elise Tingstrom, Katherine Celeste Toups, Henry Hien Vu, Steven Duane Vutera Jr., Myung Yoon and Omar Mohammed Yousuf.

School of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine: Matthew Raymond Abate, Lena Jameel Al-Dujaili, Salman Syed Aleem, Guy Thomas Alexander, Scott William Anderson, Kevin Spencer Attenhofer, Michael Lee Barton, Ariana Leigh Beck, David Michael Becnel, Beau Michael Bergeron, Sharhonda Alicia Biley, Bradley Joseph Blasiar, Nathan Michael Bolton, Ashley Doucet Bordelon, Jason Grady Boudreaux, Rebecca Lynn Braud, Amanda Elizabeth Bray, Kevin James Bray, Jacob Lee Breaux, Theresa Marie Brignac, Gregory Horton Broering, Estela Amadis Brooke, Casey Patrick Broussard, Blair Cooper Budden, Brett Clark Budden, Emily Augustin Burgin, Andrea Caballero, Sophia Lynn Cenac, Jordan Michael Chaisson, Philip James Chandler, Patrick Paul Clerkin, Rachel Coleman-Pierron, Wonestta Annette Collins, Louise Armour Corle, Allison Louise Cragin, Christopher James Cullom, Paige Allyson Culotta, Rahul Datta, Juan Carlos de Rivero Vaccari, Lisa Ann Deininger, Thomas Edward Delahoussaye, Sarah Elizabeth Dendy, Andrea Lynn DeStories, Gautam Dixit, Sara Beth Doguet, Molly Michelle Doose, Ross Mattox Dunbar, Daniel Scott Eads, Danielle Elizabeth Eggie, Stephanie Cesar El Hajj, Joseph Arthur Englert III, Clare Farrell, Rachael Rider Fournet, Bryce Adam Fugarino, Patricia Claire Gallagher, Julie Baham Gallois, Ross Gregory Gaudet, Carl Joseph Giffin III, Matthew Darrin Giglia, Kevin Sylvan Gipson, Leonard Michael Glade, Lindsey Michelle Goodwin, Christopher Morgan Graham, Sarah Michelle Granier, Jason Richard Gray, Charles Edward Griffin III, Roman Felix Gutkovich, Whitney Elizabeth Hardy, Megan Matherne Hartman, Veronique Jacquin Haymon, Ashraf Refaat Heram, Christian Hernandez, Tuan Manh Hoang, Kimberly Nicole Hodge, Warren James Huber III, Anthony Charles Hudson, Chukwuemeka Ifeanyichukwu Ibekwe, Adam Craig Janot, Daniel Hartman Johnson, John Derek Johnson, Nadja Nadine Jones, Brett Stockton Kathmann, Aurash Khoobehi, Kaveh David Khoobehi, Michelle Catherine Knecht, Stephen Taylor Krazit, Alexandra Leah Krugler, Kimberly Hoffpauir Landrum, Scott Christopher Laura, Daniel Kevin LaVie, Nicholas Lawrence Lavin, Nicholas Dean LeBlanc, Guy James Lefort, Charles Cameron Leithead, Jacob Alexander Lessing, Stephanie Leu, Xian Li, Rathana Lim, Eric Shih-Ing Lin, Elise Claire Lofton, Dane Gallmann Mackey, Sophia Van-Anh Mai, Corey Steven Majors, Janet B. Mañalac, Lawrence B. Manalo, James Norman Mansfield IV, Murphy Patrick Martin III, Jill Michael McCall, Michelle Renee McCown, Kyle Patrick McMullen, Jorge Dagoberto Melara, Anna Pasvantis Melerine, Amanda Frances Messer, Jerry Paul Miller III, Harry Joseph Molligan IV, Tyler Robert Moore, Ashley Jo Mullins, Uzma Fatima Naeem, Danielle Elizabeth O’Banion, Steven Paul Ogden, Christopher Paul Owen, Robert Patrick Owens, David Andrew Palombo, Nayan Mahendra Patel, Jonathan Morgan Perkins, Linnea Tanisha Perkins, Alvin Paul Perry III, Ky Dong Pham, Mark Douglas Porta Jr., Amit Prabhakar, Shane Paul Prejean, Alicia M. Pressley, Angela Belinda Pressley, Nicole Ersek Quinn, Nicholas Charles Raush, Jeremy Ravussin, Paul Sebastian Remedios, Ryan Patrick Richard, Jordan Andrew Roberts, Jeffrey David Robertson, Julia Susan Rodgers, Kimberly Ann Russell, Azeen Sadeghian, Erica Elizabeth Schneider, Clint Sumbera Schoolfield Jr., Jonathan R. Schroeder, Garett James Seeba, Catherine Elizabeth Simpson, Kayla Dawn Sliman, Melissa Ann Spera, Stephen Michael Spindel, Katie Ann St. Germain, Ashley Nicole Stanley, Jessica Ruby Stark, James Walter Steves, Diya Surie, Devan Guidry Szczepanski, David Michael Tadin, Shih Yee-Marie Tan, Lisa To, Desi Rae Valentine, Jacqueline Volpi-Abadie, Michael Richard Voorhies Jr., Gordon Frederick Wadge, Eric Joseph Wallace Jr., Ming Wang, Amanda Riggleman Watts, Jody Megan Webre, Luke Neumann Weiler, Christopher Keith Whipple, Alvah Tyson Wickboldt Jr., Joseph Alan Willis, Elizabeth Lindstedt Wisner and Alexander C. Yang.

Two tyro groups from a Academy of Math, Engineering and Science assimilated army to classify a 5K run to foster health recognition and lift income for Salt Lake Donated Dental Services.

“We only wanted to get a propagandize collected together for village service,” pronounced comparison Alina Tran, who is boss of one a groups involved, AMES HOSA.

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HOSA, or Health Occupation Students of America, is a national tyro classification for those meddlesome in careers in health care. For Tran, a 5K run is a ideal event for HOSA to foster healthy living.

“I feel like people are too bustling with their lives that they don’t consider they have a time to take caring of themselves,” she said.

Participants showed adult on a cool, spacious afternoon in late Apr for a 5K run, paid $10 a chairman and perceived a T-shirt. The march took them opposite a travel from Cottonwood High School, where AMES is located, by a area to Woodstock Meadows Park and behind to a school.

The other tyro organisation concerned is AMES Interact Club, that was founded by comparison Stephanie Velasco dual years ago.

“It creates me feel unequivocally good when something like that is happening,” Velasco said. “We’re lifting income for dental care, that is a need and a partial of your health.”

Salt Lake Donated Dental Services is an classification that seeks to give dental caring to disadvantaged people. Tran and Velasco pronounced they deliberate opposite gift groups, though they chose a dental use since a HOSA confidant had a tie there, and it was a lesser-known organization.

Velasco founded a Interact Club to combine her associate students in assisting anyone in need.

She wants a 5K run to yield durability memories for a participants.

“We wish that everybody realizes what they’re partial of in this cause, that everybody goes home with a grin on their face and comprehend they can assistance others,” she said.

Velasco and her officers had some doubts about organizing a 5K since it seemed like such a large task.

“We unequivocally weren’t certain if it would happen,” she said. “But once it got going, we finally got to say, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s unequivocally happening.’”

The tyro groups perceived a $100 extend from a Utah Federation For Youth; AMES was one of 4 schools selected to accept a money, that went toward a 5K and a stomp.

The students also lifted income by offered muffins during a propagandize in a morning and during lunch hours.

“It helped with the communicating skills,” Tran said. “We became salesmen.”

AMES is a open licence propagandize directed during modernized curriculum over unchanging high propagandize levels. Because students come from other regions than Cottonwood Heights, time for extracurricular activity is limited.

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Jointly orderly by a UP Dental Alumni Association led by a boss Dr. Armin Segarra, and a Class of 1991, a conference dubbed “Reducing a Risk for Restoration Failure: What Do You Need to Know about Proven and Unproven Preventive, Restorative and Prosthodontics Materials?” also topbills another prosthodontics expert, Prof. Josephine Esquivel-Upshaw of a University of Florida.

The conference will tackle timely and applicable issues and residence concerns such as a reliable reasons for chain and deputy of dental amalgam and resin-based composites, esthetic stipulations of combination crowns and bridges, dental cements and creosote cements, how to take accurate impressions, ceramic restorations and crown designs, and how to maximize a presence of approach and surreptitious restorations, among other things.

Anusavice, who binds a arrange of Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Doctoral Research Professor during a University of Florida, was highbrow and authority of a Department of Dental Biomaterials, a position he hold for 26 years.

In 1995, he took over a editorship of “Phillip’s Science of Dental Materials,” deliberate a many review text in dentistry that has been translated into Spanish, Portuguese and Indonesian.

Aside from being editor and contributing author of a textbook, Anusavice is also a reviewer and comparison editor of countless general peer-reviewed systematic journals and a writer of chapters in several other anxiety books on dentistry.

Anusavice is a two-time target of a Distinguished Lecturer Award given by both a Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics and a American College of Prosthodontics.

Esquivel-Upshaw, on a other hand, graduated from UP Manila in 1991 and warranted her MS in Prosthodontics from a Northwestern University in Illinois. She has also created countless investigate and systematic articles in systematic journals and is a writer of several book chapters.

Registration fees for a conference are: P3,500 until Jun 5 and P4,500 from Jun 6 and on-site. For finish information about a seminar, revisit www.dinkypage.com/upjune10seminar or call Dr. Segarra during 0917-5305-861 and 0922-882-7646. Those who are meddlesome to attend are speedy to register early, as slots are limited.

MADISON, WI (PRWEB) May 16, 2012

Roughly 1,700 dental professionals worldwide collected in Washington, DC, final week for a American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (AACD) 28th Annual Scientific Session, where they were educated, motivated, and desirous to take their dentistry to a subsequent level.

The conference, hold May 2-5, charity attendees live training by workshops and lectures. This year’s event, themed “Learn Outside a Lines,” also gave attendees a possibility to be professionally speedy by ubiquitous sessions, including a clinical PowerSession featuring Drs. David Garber, Christian Coachman, and Eric Van Dooren. Other ubiquitous sessions featured “Book of Awesome” author Neil Pasricha, and composer Eric Whitacre, good famous for his practical choir, “Sleep 2.0.”

New dental products, services, and innovations also debuted in this year’s vaunt gymnasium by “Product Premiere,” a corner bid by a AACD and Dentalcompare.

At a Celebration of Excellence Gala May 5, a AACD showcased a achievements of a dual newly Accredited Fellows, Drs. Susan Hollar and C. Lee Wyant, and 12 newly Accredited Members including:

• David K. Chan, DMD
• Todd L. Cochran
• C Kent Decker, CDT
• Chiann Fan Gibson, DMD
• Gesica T. Horn, DDS
• Phillip A. Kemp, DDS
• Lonnie Lee, CDT
• Rebecca K. Pitts, DMD (Accredited Laboratory Technician)
• Lauren J. Shanard, DDS
• Todd C. Snyder, DDS
• Aliasger Tunkiwala, BDS, MDS
• Ossie R. Vereen, CDT, MDT

Jason Olitsky, DMD, who became Accredited final year, though was incompetent to attend a prior session, was reputable this year for his achievement.

Ron Goodlin, DDS, strictly took a helm as boss of a AACD. Jerry Woolf, DDS, is president-elect, and John Sullivan, DDS, is a evident past president. During a Academy’s Annual Membership Meeting May 4, a AACD inaugurated Jack Ringer, DDS, as clamp boss of a Academy.

Also during a session, several fundraisers for a AACD Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile module generated some-more than $30,000 to assistance revive a smiles of survivors of insinuate partner violence.

The AACD is now ramping adult for subsequent year’s event, a 29th Annual Scientific Session, Apr 24-27, to be hold in Seattle. Those meddlesome in attending Seattle subsequent year are speedy to watch a AACD website and member communications for updates.

For a finish list of newly inaugurated officers and endowment winners from Washington, DC, greatfully revisit a AACD website by clicking here.

About a AACD

The AACD is a world’s largest non-profit membership classification dedicated to advancing value in extensive oral caring mixing art and scholarship to optimally urge dental health, function, and esthetics. Comprised of some-more than 6,300 cosmetic dental professionals in some-more than 70 countries around a globe, a AACD fulfills a goal by charity higher educational opportunities, compelling and ancillary a reputable credential, portion as a user-friendly and mouth-watering forum for a artistic sell of believe and ideas, and providing accurate and useful information to a open and a profession.

For some-more information per a AACD, greatfully revisit http://www.aacd.com, send an e-mail to pr(at)aacd(dot)com, or call 800.543.9220. To obtain photos of a 28th Annual AACD Scientific Session for your publication, e-mail: pr(at)aacd(dot)com.

For a strange chronicle on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/5/prweb9506599.htm

Out of a 21 medical colleges purebred underneath a medical university, a 5 government-run colleges have available above 90% pass. The supervision medical college during Thrissur available a best outcome in a final educational year with 98.66%.

It is followed by a Kozhikode medical college with 95.98%, Thiruvananthapuram with 95%, Alappuzha with 93.29% and Kottayam with 91.39%. Of a 848 students who seemed for exams in supervision medical colleges, 805 privileged them.

Only dual private colleges could grasp a pass commission of above 90% – Jubilee Mission medical college, Thrissur, and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church medical college, Kolencherry. Four private colleges available above 80% pass. “I am astounded that some private colleges could not measure even above 70%.

Shortage of competent faculty, necessity of patients and miss of seductiveness shown by a students are a categorical reasons behind a bad show. The students should be taught with some-more practicals and not usually by display diagrams,” pronounced Dr B Ekbal, former Kerala University vice-chancellor. In 3 other private colleges, a pass commission hovered around a half-way mark. In Kannur medical college out of a 99 possibilities usually 53 could get through, in KMCT medical college, Kozhikode, usually 60 could get by out of 100 and in Karuna medical college, Palakkad, usually 62 could get by out of a 100 appeared. The outcome of a BDS examination showed many private colleges faring even worse. Out of a 22 colleges in a state purebred underneath a university, 15 colleges available next 40 pass percentage, of that 6 have next 20%. “Quality of clinical materials is high in supervision colleges. We have well-qualified expertise and academically shining students. From speculation to practical, students are taught by academically competent professionals who have immeasurable experience. In private colleges, we know that many faculties are there usually on paper and are benefaction in a colleges usually during a MCI inspection,” pronounced Dr S Kishore, state secretary, Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association.

Among a 3 supervision colleges, Kozhikode dental college has surfaced a draft with 58.75%, Thiruvananthapuram dental college has 55.1% and Kottayam dental college has available 43.24%.

However, Pushapagiri College of Dental Science from a private zone emerged a topper by a stretch with a pass commission of 72.92. For a BAMS course, a supervision Ayurveda college during Thripunithura achieved cent per cent pass followed by a supervision colleges in Thiruvananthapuram with 97.01 and Kannur with 92.5%. Of a 16 Ayurveda colleges in a state, 5 from a private zone achieved above 90% pass.

Dentist Phillip Marshall believes in peculiarity caring in gentle environment

It competence warn we to learn that good oral hygiene plays a large purpose in your altogether health. Your at-home routine, when supplemented with unchanging dental visits, can assistance forestall tooth decay, resin illness and other oral problems. According to WebMd.com, it can indeed assistance we live well, longer.

“Preventative caring is a categorical idea of any practice,” pronounced Dr. Phillip Marshall, D.D.S. “We don’t wish to do extractions or base canals, though infrequently illness takes we there. Our series one idea is to assistance patients keep their teeth for a rest of their lives.”

Dr. Marshall, a Kingsport local and Dobyns-Bennett graduate, did his undergraduate studies during East Tennessee State University and warranted his doctorate during a University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. After graduating from dental school, he returned to Kingsport and, for 6 months, worked alongside his childhood dentist, Dr. Larry Gillenwater, who has turn a crony and mentor.

“I always wanted to do something in a health caring contention because, to me, there is no improved approach to assistance people than to make them feel better,” pronounced Marshall. “I had left to Belize with Dr. Gillenwater and assisted him with dental work, that’s how we was unprotected to this profession. we wanted to do something where we can yield caring for people and also have time for family, and dentistry has that balance.”

A member of a American Dental Association and a Tennessee Dental Association, Marshall got married and took over Gillenwater’s use during a same month final December. He is now usurpation new patients.

“Our use and studious philosophies are really similar: care, comfort and trust. He has entrusted me to caring for a patients he has taken caring of for so long. When we trust your dentist, we know he will do what is right for we and your family,” Marshall pronounced sincerely.

Whether you’re new to city or only haven’t seen a dentist in some time, Dr. Marshall and his group will decently weigh and consider your oral health needs. Dental assistants Margaret Harwood and Fanta Henderson have a total 37 years of experience, and are assimilated by hygienists Debbie Liddle and Susan Avery who have 39 and 33 years of experience, respectively. Receptionist Pat Sandidge, who’s been creation appointments and gripping lane of studious annals for 8 years, rounds out a team.

“When selecting a dentist, there contingency be a turn of comfort, and a celebrity and impression of a bureau plays a part. All of a patients have turn a friends, and that is due in partial to a caring group of professionals. That’s how Dr. Gillenwater espoused it and that’s how we are going to keep it,” pronounced Marshall.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday by Thursday, and Fridays by appointment.

His bureau is located in a Center Street Medical Building, 1335 E. Center Street, Suite 2, Kingsport. If we have questions or wish to report an appointment, call 423-247-5125.

Last week, San Antonio’s dental propagandize responded by installing a special chair designed to tilt, lift or reduce dental patients weighing adult to 1,000 pounds.

It’s no tiny matter. The portly are during aloft risk of building resin disease, that can lead to critical heart problems if untreated. Yet some evade a dentist out of annoyance or discomfort.

“With a normal dental chair, if we have a 350-pound chairman we have to position a chair in a approach that they arrange of slip in,” pronounced Dr. Tam Van, who heads a geriatric dental sanatorium during a University of Texas Health Science Center, where a chair is housed. “And once they’re in, you’re not ostensible to pierce a chair adult or down, or recline a back, since it’s not good for a chair. It can break.”

And while dentists can adjust and work on honest patients, “it’s unequivocally not gentle or accessible for a patients,” Van said.

George Booth, 55, a dental propagandize patient, was invited to try out a new chair as it was being demonstrated to expertise and staff Wednesday. He pronounced his distance — 6-foot-5 and “300-plus” pounds — and a story of behind surgery, creates unchanging dental chairs uncomfortable.

“This seems to be improved padded, that we unequivocally appreciate,” Booth said. “It’s easy to get in and out with this hoop that’s means to pierce away. It’s unequivocally comfortable. I’m unequivocally blissful that they have it.”

The chair is partial of a flourishing attention of medical apparatus for unequivocally complicated patients. From sanatorium beds and stretchers to watchful room chairs, companies are cashing in on rising plumpness rates.

A investigate presented during a inhabitant assembly final week estimated a commission of portly adults will stand to 42 percent by 2030, from about a third now. And those with dark plumpness — 100 pounds or some-more overweight — will double to 11 percent of adults over a same period.

The dental propagandize also has a wheelchair lift that can lift and lean adult to 750 pounds, so that aged or infirm patients can bear dental work in their wheelchairs. In a past, some unequivocally complicated patients were given a choice of being treated in a borrowed wheelchair. But that wasn’t an ideal option, either.

“If you’re someone who’s 400 pounds and you’re not used to sitting in a wheelchair, it’s not going to be gentle to get worked on in a wheelchair lift,” pronounced Van, who combined a new chair will be accessible to both students and expertise via a dental propagandize to use.

The chair, built by Diaco Dental of Smyrna, Ga., cost $30,000 — compared to about $10,000 for a customary chair. So far, business have been singular to vast programs such as VA hospitals and dental schools, that are some-more expected to see such patients. It’s been accessible about dual years.

“What we’re unequivocally articulate about is entrance to caring for dental patients,” pronounced Brian Trewella, a association representative. “And bariatric patients, only like with other medical care, don’t have easy entrance in other places. There are barriers to their care. This gets absolved of one of those barriers.”

dfinley@express-news.net

Last week, San Antonio’s dental school responded by installing a special chair designed to tilt, raise or lower dental patients weighing up to 1,000 pounds.

It’s no small matter. The obese are at higher risk of developing gum disease, which can lead to serious heart problems if untreated. Yet some shun the dentist out of embarrassment or discomfort.

“With the normal dental chair, if you have a 350-pound person you have to position the chair in a way that they sort of slide in,” said Dr. Tam Van, who heads the geriatric dental clinic at the University of Texas Health Science Center, where the chair is housed. “And once they’re in, you’re not supposed to move the chair up or down, or recline the back, because it’s not good for the chair. It can break.”

And while dentists can adapt and work on upright patients, “it’s definitely not comfortable or convenient for the patients,” Van said.

George Booth, 55, a dental school patient, was invited to try out the new chair as it was being demonstrated to faculty and staff Wednesday. He said his size — 6-foot-5 and “300-plus” pounds — plus a history of back surgery, makes regular dental chairs uncomfortable.

“This seems to be better padded, which I really appreciate,” Booth said. “It’s easy to get in and out with this handle that’s able to move away. It’s really comfortable. I’m really glad that they have it.”

The chair is part of a growing industry of medical equipment for very heavy patients. From hospital beds and stretchers to waiting room chairs, companies are cashing in on rising obesity rates.

A study presented at a national meeting last week estimated the percentage of obese adults will climb to 42 percent by 2030, from about a third now. And those with morbid obesity — 100 pounds or more overweight — will double to 11 percent of adults over the same period.

The dental school also has a wheelchair lift that can raise and tilt up to 750 pounds, so that elderly or disabled patients can undergo dental work in their wheelchairs. In the past, some very heavy patients were given the option of being treated in a borrowed wheelchair. But that wasn’t an ideal option, either.

“If you’re someone who’s 400 pounds and you’re not used to sitting in a wheelchair, it’s not going to be comfortable to get worked on in a wheelchair lift,” said Van, who added the new chair will be available to both students and faculty throughout the dental school to use.

The chair, built by Diaco Dental of Smyrna, Ga., cost $30,000 — compared to about $10,000 for a standard chair. So far, customers have been limited to large programs such as VA hospitals and dental schools, which are more likely to see such patients. It’s been available about two years.

“What we’re really talking about is access to care for dental patients,” said Brian Trewella, a company representative. “And bariatric patients, just like with other medical care, don’t have easy access in other places. There are barriers to their care. This gets rid of one of those barriers.”

dfinley@express-news.net