Michigan Dental Graduates Receive Delta Dental Foundation Student Leadership Award

June 21, 2007 (Okemos, Mich.) — Jody Schilling, a recent graduate of The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and Ruchika Khetarpal, a recent graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) School of Dentistry, have been honored with a Delta Dental Foundation Student Leadership Award and a cash gift of $2,500 for their outstanding leadership and volunteer activities in the dental profession and community.

Schilling, of Mosinee, Wis., ranked in the top of her dental class while serving as president of the Student Council and of the Jonathan Taft Society. Schilling also served as a curriculum representative and a student researcher.

She also participated in many community health activities, including the School of Dentistry’s Saturday clinics for low-income patients and uninsured graduate students. She provided dental services for patients in rural, impoverished villages in the Dominican Republic.

Schilling plans to attend the University of Minnesota to continue her education in periodontics.

Khetarpal, of Novi, Mich., served in many leadership positions including as class secretary, class vice-president, student government vice-president and student government president. She also served as a student ambassador representing dental students at UDM events.

Khetarpal participated in Give Kids a Smile! Day and helped organize a free mouth guard clinic.

Each year, the Delta Dental Foundation grants an award to one dental student from each of the dental schools in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Since 1982, the Delta Dental Foundation has awarded 74 Student Leadership Awards totaling more than $137,000.

Delta Dental Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, seeks to support education and research for the advancement of dental science and to promote the oral health of the public through education and service activities, particularly for those with special needs.