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July 2010

Sigma Phi Alpha - Delta Tau Chapter

The Northern Nevada Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Tau

Announces the First “Caryn Solie RDH” Scholarship Winners

Melissa M. Fellman RDH is the State of Nevada, Oral Health Program Coordinator and Evaluation Specialist.  She is concurrently seeking a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Nevada, Reno.  Her  graduate research is in the fields of HIV/AIDS in dentistry.  Ms. Fellman is a member of the ADHA, Nevada Public Health Association and the California Dental Hygiene Educator’s Association.  She is a Loma Linda University alumnus and teaches at the Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, NV.  She has been awarded the first graduate Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Tau “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship.

ADHA President Elect Caryn Solie RDH awards Melissa Fellman RDH the first Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Tau “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship.

Truckee Meadows Community College first year student Candace Meyer received the first Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Tau “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship from ADHA President Elect Caryn Solie RDH in Reno, NV.

Candace Meyers states, “I have wanted to be a dental hygienist since I can remember. Now I am on my way. My family is a great support system for me. I don’t know what I would do without them. I love school. All my instructors are supportive and first-class. This first year of school has been all I could have imagined. Hard work, stress, sleeplessness, and fun.”  She is the recipient of the first undergraduate Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Tau “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship.  Candace is a first year dental hygiene student at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada. 

The “Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Tau Caryn Solie RDH Scholarship” has been created in honor of ADHA President-Elect Caryn Solie RDH as a tribute to her consistent and extensive dedication to the profession of dental hygiene.  Caryn is the Immediate-Past President of NNDHA. In addition, she served as ADHA District XII Trustee from 2002-2006.  In this capacity she served as a Board Advisor to the Council on Education and Public Health, the Committee on Administration and the HY-Pac Committee.  She was appointed to the Executive Director Search Committee for ADHA in 2004.   Her experience has provided her with many opportunities to meet with other hygienists, lobbyists, dentists, legislators and Governors.  She has facilitated Strategic Planning sessions with all of the District XII constituents.   She has also served as member of the ADHA Council on Policy and Bylaws. Caryn is a recipient of the prestigious 2008 Discus Dental/ADHA Distinguished Service Award.

May 2008

Sigma Phi Alpha - Phi Chapter

The Phi Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha held its Annual Meeting and Induction Ceremony on May 28, 2009. Members present (photo below - from left to right) were Meghan Obuchowski, Rebecca MacDonald, Leslie Hills, Jenice Churchill (new inductee), Angela Leighty (new inductee), Diane Peterson (not pictured) Tina Marshall, Villa Rakochy and Ellen Grimes (photographer). 

Vermont’s only Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society, Phi Chapter, has a unique method to raise money for scholarships and education. Members become CPR instructors and offer American Heart Association CPR certification and re-certification courses for dental offices with all fees being returned to the Chapter. CPR is required in Vermont for relicensure every 2 years. Dental hygiene students at Vermont Technical College also are certified this way so that the fees paid directly benefit dental hygiene. 

The Chapter offers student awards up to $800.00 to assist with the expenses of the Northeast Regional Board Exam. This year, the Chapter was also able to provide financial sponsorship for the Vermont Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Oral Health Conference.

April 2008

Kappa Chapter Annual Meeting

Kappa Chapter met on April 5, 2008, after Temple University Dental Hygiene Alumni Club's meeting. Photos by chapter member Judy Ernst

standing (back) Mary Yohe, Nancy Snyder-Stoehr, Agnes Silverman, Judy Kehr, Elaine Granados, Susan Chialastri
seated (front) Secretary -Treasurer Kathy Falcone, President Terry Barr, Susan Misson, Lenora Perlmutter

Honorary Member Judy Kehr being pinned by President Terry Barr

February 2008

Beta Beta Chi

Beta Beta Chi Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha recently held their Annual Business meeting on Sunday, February 24, 2008.

Standing - Left to Right: Patty Lavan, Maria Manjone, Treasurer, Maureen Savner, ChanhTran, Angie Yorina, Kristen O'Donnell, Barb Montante. 

Seated - Left to Right: Karen Webb, President Barb Wende, Jane Balavage.

January 2008

Kappa Chapter Awards Scholarships

Kappa Chapter of Temple University continues its tradition of giving scholarships to local dental hygiene students in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Harcum College Dental Hygiene student Lorraine Craft receives her $1000 scholarship from Dr. Susan Chialastri, RDH, DMD, Kappa Chapter Past President (photo left). 

May 2007

University of New Haven Professional Recognition Ceremony

Sigma Phi Alpha Induction – Delta Lambda Chapter 
May 2007

Delta Lambda student inductee Jacqueline Tyler with Chapter President, Lynn Helfer, RDH, BS. (both pictured left)
 

Student Sarah LeBlanc is pinned by Dept Director, Sandy Palumbo, RDH, MPS. (both pictured right)

Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport

Sigma Phi Alpha – Gamma Chapter 

Induction May 2007

Gamma Chapter President, Marcia Lorentzen, RDH, MSEd presents the Sigma Phi Alpha certificate to Natalie Young (SADHA President) as a new inductee. (pictured left)

Gamma Chapter SPA student inductees: Natalie Young, Sarah Grega, Maria Perdomo, Amauri Barbosa

April 13, 2007

Psi Chapter at NYU College of Dentistry

Photos were taken at the Psi Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha - NYU College of Dentistry on April 13, 2007.  Eastern Trustee, Leslie Andrews, RDH, MBA gave an overview for the newly inducted members.

Leslie Andrews, RDH, MBA SPA Eastern Trustee	Cheryl Westphal, RDH, MS Dean of Allied Programs NYU College of Dentistry
Leslie Andrews RDH, MBA, Lisa Kang, Larysa Hauron, Elida Anadoli-Saliaga, Olga Karpenko, Su-Yan Barrow, RDH, MA, MS – Psi Chapter Treasurer, Breanne Landrum, Sophia Protopopov, Rawan Samn, Cheryl Westphal, RDH MS. Inductee Winnie Furnari, RDH, BS, not pictured.
Judy Kreismann, RDH, MA – Professor at NYU, Larysa Hauron, Olga Karpenko, Sophia Protopopov, Rawan Samna, Breanne Landrum.

Psi Chapter will also be holding a CE Fundraiser: 

Stacy McCauley RDH MS presents: "Oral Systemic Health Through the Golden Years " 

Tuesday May 1, 2007
345 E 24th St Room 612
At 6:00 - 8:00 pm

For more information, please contact Judith Kreismann, RDH, MA. 

March 1, 2007

Kappa Chapter at Temple University
Exton, Pennsylvania

Component chapter news the Kappa Chapter at Temple University is still very active, even though the dental hygiene school has been closed for 19 years. One of their activities is to give scholarships to local community colleges in the Greater Philadelphia area. 

This years awardees are Ms. Elmira Mezhiritsky - $500.00 and Ms. Jentry Gillis - $500.00. These scholarships were presented by Mrs. Kathy Falcone (center) on January 22, 2007, at Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA. (pictured above)

April 22, 2005

Psi Chapter at New York University
New York City

Psi Chapter at New York University conducted its induction of new members and its annual business meeting at the New York University Torch Club, Main Campus of NYU in New York City on April 22, 2005. 

There were two faculty and five students who joined the ranks of our Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society. Four student inductee proudly show off their certificates (below). 

Psi Chapter - Student Inductees

To induct the seven new members, Leslie Andrews, Eastern Trustee and Claudine Paula Drew, Immediate Past President of the Supreme Chapter were in attendance and participated in the award ceremony. Program Director Cheryl Westphal (standing on right side) hosted the meeting. 

Psi Chapter Induction and Award Ceremony Participants

Psi Chapter has a most interesting history. It had its original charter at the Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), Dental Hygiene Program, until its closure along with the FDU Dental School in 1990. 

The Dental Hygiene Program and Psi Chapter then moved lock, stock and barrel to New York University School of Dentistry where it has functioned under the care of Professor Westphal ever since. Psi Chapter is alive and well at New York University. A happy ending for us! 

April 9, 2005

Kappa Chapter at Temple University
Exton, Pennsylvania

Kappa Chapter conducted its annual session after the annual luncheon of Temple University Dental Hygiene Alumni Club (TUDHAC) on April 8, 2005 in Exton, Pennsylania.

Kappa's member, Terry Barr, RDH, BS, was honored by the general alumni as its outstanding member for 2005. Ms. Barr graciously accepted the honor wearing one of her favorite hats from the 150 hats in her collection.

Terry Barr, RDH, BS. Outstanding Member for 2005

Kappa Chapter met immediately following the TUDHAC Annual Luncheon and Meeting. Kappa Chapter is still very viable even though the dental hygiene school at Temple closed in 1988. 
Kappa Chapter, with its 62 contributing members, continues to raise money to give $1,000 Ruth M. Heck scholarships to local community college dental hygiene seniors.

Seated left to right: Nancy M. Snyder-Stoehr, Susan M. Chialastri, Kathryn Jean Falcone, Sally Rettein Forry 
standing left to right: Kassie Chapman, Claudine Paula Drew, Terry Barr, Mary S. Yohe, Judy L. Ernst, Christine B. Bennett, and lastly Lenore Levin Perlmutter, our 2005 honorary newly inducted member.

November 2004

Minnesota State University
Mankato, Minnesota

The Minnesota State University, Mankato, MSU Chi Chi Omicron chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society meeting was held on Saturday, Nov. 6th, at Myers Field House, MSU, Room 129. 

Chi Chi Omicron
Front row: Molly Dieter, new member, Linda Parsons, Kim Otto Bode, Nancy Geistfeld
Back row: Angela Monson, Hannah Hackett, Lynnette Engeswick, Julie Carlberg new member, Lucy Monson-Barta, Shelli Lampi, Alice Weed

There was a brunch, meeting, and introduction of new members, followed by a presentation from chapter member, Hannah Hackett, for 1 CE credit. Hannah's program was titled, Traveling Full Circle: My Work with the Migrant Clinician's Network.

Hannah, who also holds BS degree in Spanish, graduated in 2003 from the MSU Dental Hygiene program. Following her graduation, she was selected to participate in an outreach program working among populations with limited access to care. 

The organization which sponsored the internship was the Migrant Clinicians Network and Hannah worked with them for six weeks at the United Medical Center's Dental Clinic located in Eagle Pass, Texas. Part of the practicum included completing a special research project. She fulfilled this requirement by working with staff at the local Women, Infants, and Children Clinic to help improve the delivery of oral health education to WIC clients. In this setting, Hannah's background in Spanish was quite helpful.

Tunxis Community College
Farmington, Connecticut

The SPA Chapter at Tunxis Community College held their annual Nutmeg Conference (Connecticut DHA Annual Conference) in an unusual format: a martini tasting party! Tunxis alumni were invited, but word spread to Fones and UNHaven as well. 

A student bartender was brought in, who worked for tips. Chocolate, apple and dirty martinis were served. The event was a lot of fun, and a good opportunity for colleagues to relax and get to know one another better. 

Julie Nocera - President of chapter, Diana Himmel - past President, Mary Bencivengo Chair of Tunxis Dental Auxiliary program, Claudia Turcotte, Award Recipient

During the conference, member Claudia Turcotte CDA RDH MS, received the Mabel C McCarthy Award, Connecticut's highest honor.

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