Chapter News
Archives

Does your local chapter have a story or event they'd like to share?
 
Submit articles and photos to SPA's News Contact. Please include a complete news article with your photos. Photos with no article, or just captions, will not be posted. 

Chapter News

January 2012

Sigma Phi Alpha - Kappa Chapter

Harcum’s second year student, Jessica Pollino, was awarded the Temple University’s Sigma Phi Alpha, Kappa Chapter scholarship by Christine Bennett, President Sigma Phi Alpha. Congratulations Jessica!

October 2011

Sigma Phi Alpha - Kappa Chapter

Kappa Chapter Secretary/Treasurer Kathy Falcone (right) with Talia Shumsonk, second year dental hygiene student from Community College of Philadelphia, Talia is the recipient of a $1000 scholarship from Kappa Chapter.

April 2011

Sigma Phi Alpha - Kappa Chapter

Secretary Kathy Falcone pointing out information to President Christine Bennett at the Annual Meeting in April 2011.


Past President Susan Chialastri, RDH, DMD, with newly inducted Honorary Member Janice Stone and President Christine Bennett.

Kappa Chapter, one of the founding chapters of Sigma Phi Alpha, continues its tradition of scholarship, leadership and service in many ways. Kappa members teach in many local dental and dental hygiene schools. They are leaders in local dental hygiene associations, PDHA's component and constituent chapters. Kappa Chapter continues the tradition of giving scholarships to local dental hygiene schools. See attached photos for Kappa in action. Kappa Chapter founded in 1958, is still going strong, more than 50 years later, even though Temple University School of Dental Hygiene closed its doors in 1988.

May 2011

Sigma Phi Alpha - Delta Tau Chapter

Northern Nevada Sigma Phi Alpha

2^nd Annual “Caryn Solie RDH” Scholarship Winners

 

Truckee Meadows Community College SADHA President Candace Meyers  presents 2011 “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship to Amber Kelly. (right)

                           

   

Lori McDonald accepts the 2011 graduate “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship from Melissa Fellman RDH.

                                                                                            

Reno_April  8, 2011_”My goal is to become a great dental hygienist.  This goal will help me with the goals I have for my family and my life.”  Amber Kelly, winner of the 2011 “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship has big plans.  She believes that education provides the foundation for a successful life.  Ms. Kelly is interested in pursuing advanced studies in dental hygiene education after realizing that the instructors at the Truckee Meadows Community College have contributed greatly to her success.  Amber is motivated by prevention.  She wants to share her preventive knowledge with others to reduce the need for restorative and surgical procedures.  She also shares her motivation with her 6 year old son, Zane.  “A good start in life is the best thing a parent can do for their child and this is my main goal.”   Amber lives in Sun Valley, Nevada and graduates in May 2011.

Lori McDonald RDH is the winner of the 2011 graduate “Caryn Solie RDH” scholarship.  Ms. McDonald is completing a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Reno.  She believes that her interest in higher education and leadership allow her the opportunity to give back to students the gift of knowledge that was given to her by her dental hygiene director and instructors many years ago.  Lori is the President-Elect of the Northern Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association.  Her aspirations, which have been inspired by Caryn Solie RDH, include leadership in the American Dental Hygienists Association. “To be an exceptional leader one must communicate, encourage, be a good listener, be compassionate, approachable, trustworthy and willing to adapt to change with a positive attitude.”

The “Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Tau Caryn Solie RDH Scholarship” has been created in honor of ADHA President  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.  She resides in Sparks, Nevada.

June 2011

Sigma Phi Alpha - Delta Tau Chapter

Northern Nevada Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha

Delta Tau Announces Two New Members

Lori McDonald RDH, BS, Faculty

Lori Kepler Cofano RDH, BS, Honorary

Lori McDonald received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the Oregon Health Sciences University Portland Oregon, in 1989.  Currently she is an adjunct faculty member for the Truckee Meadows Dental Hygiene Program where she has been teaching for five years.  She continues to work in private practice part-time.  A member of ADHA, Lori has served as Vice-President for NNDHA and currently holds the position of President Elect. Lori will graduate from UNR spring 2012 with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Recently accepted to the Allied Dental Faculty Leadership Development Program hosted by the American Dental Educators Association, Lori is excited to gain more skills and knowledge that will assist her with current and future leadership positions.  She is the winner of the 2011 “Caryn Solie RDH” graduate scholarship award. 

Lori Cofano attended the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 1982.  She was in clinical practice in Southern California for seven years prior to moving to Nevada in 1989.  After several years of clinical dental hygiene in Minden and Gardnerville she joined the Oral Health Program in 2001.   Ms. Cofano began as a  Fluoridation Specialist and a Basic Screening Coordinator for third graders, Head Start children, and seniors in assisted living facilities.  The data collected during these surveys is reported to the CDC National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS).  She has presented on the Basic Screening Survey (BSS) at the National Oral Health Conference and CDC grantee meetings.  She consults with other states on implementation and planning the BSS.  Currently, Lori is  the Nevada Oral Health Program Manager.  She represents the state as a member of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) and at national as well as CDC meetings.  She is an advocate for the implementation of preventive services such as dental sealants, fluoride varnish, and community water fluoridation.  She coordinates work with partners and stakeholders to improve access to care for Nevadans.  Finally, she serves on the Partnership Committee of the Nevada Head Start State Collaboration and Early Childhood Systems Office.

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). 

©Copyright 2005 Sigma Phi Alpha 
Site design by amdove Design.