The Dental Hygiene program is recognizing four of its graduates for demonstrating outstanding community service, dedication and academic achievements.
Dental Hygiene Community Service Award – Savanna Killinen and Haley Elliott
Savanna Killinen
Haley Elliott
The Dental Hygiene Community Service Award is presented to the student(s) who demonstrate outstanding community service in dental health promotion and education.
Savanna Killinen loved going to the dentist growing up. That sparked her interest in the profession where she can interact with people and make a difference in their lives. The reputation of the dental hygiene program at Owens drew her in. “I had heard nothing but great things and I knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of,” she said.
Haley Elliott originally was interested in nursing but wanted to find something different and new. She found dental hygiene was a profession she would enjoy due to its hands-on aspect and allowing her to focus on one part of the body. Before coming to Owens, Elliott talked with dental hygienists who told her that dental offices look for hygienists who graduate from Owens because it’s a top school. “I knew it had one of the best dental hygiene programs in Ohio,” she said.
Killinen and Elliott are both working as dental hygienists. They both hope to pursue further education and strive to teach dental hygiene at Owens.
Dental Hygiene Colgate S.T.A.R – Mackenzie Hanes
Mackenzie Hanes
The Colgate S.T.A.R. award recognized students who demonstrate true dedication to the profession, exhibit compassion in patient care and displays enthusiasm for community service.
Mackenzie Hanes attended Ohio State University pursuing a business degree but realized she had no interest in the field in her final semester. After researching different fields, she found the dental field. Hanes began her career as a dental assistant then decided to further her education and become a dental hygienist and enrolled at Owens. “Owens was the only institution that gave me hope and helped me find a path that would lead to the dental hygiene program,” she said.
Hanes now works as a dental hygienist at a new dental practice in Upper Sandusky.
Dental Hygiene Christopher L. Simmons Student Honor – Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams
The Christopher L. Simmons award is named after a late faculty member and is granted to recognize academic achievement, community and professional leadership and to encourage high professional stands.
Isaiah Williams was always interested in oral hygiene but did not have the best access to dental care as a child. He attended University of Toledo for pre-medicine but realized it wasn’t the right career path for him. Williams looked into the dental hygiene program at Owens and found it was his passion and the program was a great fit as well.
He hopes to help children in the future. “I would like to help improve access to dental care and help to provide care to those in need,” he said.
Williams is moving to Chicago where he is interviewing for dental hygienist positions.
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Published May 2024