Dental Hygiene student group recognized for excellence with Tony Diggs Award
A School of Dentistry researcher and student group received accolades through the Student Unions and Activities office.
Danna Paulson, MSDH, RDH, CCRP, researcher for the School of Dentistry, was nominated for a Tony Diggs Excellence Award for Excellent Student Group Advisor, and the American Dental Hygienists Association student group won the award for Excellence in Health and Wellness.
“In honor of Tony Diggs, former director of the Student Activities Office, the Tony Diggs Excellence Awards are intended to recognize annual student group achievements,” according to the awards website.This year, the awards received 126 nominations across nine categories.
Yvette Reibel, EdD, LDH, assistant professor of dental hygiene and MSDH Program Director, nominated Paulson and the student group for the respective awards.
Reibel nominated Paulson for her work as advisor for the ADHA student chapter because of the growth and success she has fostered in the role. “Paulson’s dedication and advocacy have led to a substantial increase in membership, from six students in 2021 to 23 in 2023,” Reibel said in her nomination. “Through her support, the group has become a vibrant platform for dental hygiene students, offering valuable opportunities for community outreach, networking and professional development.”
As advisor, Paulson guides the group and assists them in the planning and success of events. “I aim to create an inclusive and encouraging environment where each member feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to the group's objectives,” Paulson explained.
Paulson found the nomination to be “humbling and gratifying.”
“It’s a recognition of the collective efforts of the student group members, my dedication to supporting them and our combined impact on the community,” she said. “Knowing that our work is being acknowledged in this way reaffirms the significance of our efforts and further motivates me to continue striving for excellence.”
But most of all, Paulson remains proud of and committed to her students. “I’m proud to see our students actively embrace professionalism, compassion and service through their community outreach efforts and eagerness to learn,” she said. “Despite the demands of their rigorous dental hygiene program, they eagerly take on large projects and opportunities presented to them. Seeing them develop into future dental hygiene leaders is incredibly fulfilling, and it’s an honor to support their journey.”
Reibel nominated the ADHA student chapter, which won its award, because of their dedication and hard work in planning events, community outreach, networking and social opportunities, as well as their dedication to their community’s wellness and to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
“Their unwavering dedication makes them deserving recipients of this award, recognizing their significant impact on community oral health,” Reibel explained.
University of Minnesota ADHA President Emily Vu, BSDH ’24, was thrilled to receive the recognition and the award.
“It was great to see SADHA recognized for our impact on health and wellness,” she said. “Our goal is to make a positive difference in the community by advocating for oral health. We strive to continue to spread awareness on the importance of oral health and how that can impact overall health.”
Vu is proud to be a member of “one of the largest and oldest associations that represents the dental hygiene profession.”
“Being a member of ADHA allows me to connect with other dental hygiene professionals and continue my education in other fields in dentistry,” she said. “I am proud of all the volunteer work we have accomplished in the last year, and I am excited to see how else we can impact health and wellness.”