Nine Illinois Students Awarded Hispanic Dental Association Foundation Scholarships
Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation donates $50,000 to support equity in the dental profession
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Oct. 8, 2024) – Nine students from five Illinois universities, all pursuing careers in dentistry and dental hygiene, received the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation (HDAF) scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. Scholarships were made possible by Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s donation of $50,000.
“These scholarships are an important step toward addressing the significant disparity in the dental profession, where only 6% of dentists are Hispanic, despite Hispanic people making up more than 18% of the U.S. population,” says Dr. Ricardo Mendoza, Director at the HDAF. “By offering both financial support and mentorship, we hope to address this disparity by empowering more Hispanic students to pursue a career in dentistry.”
Scholarships were awarded to six dentistry and three dental hygiene students (listed below) for demonstrating exceptional leadership, community service, and dedication to serving the Hispanic community.
Dentistry Students:
- Susej Bandres, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
- Paige Madden, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
- Erendira Palomino-Razo, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
- Samuel Romo, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
- Zyndrune Rudaviciute, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
- Evelyn Villeda Martinez, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
Dental Hygiene Students:
- Christina Morales, College of DuPage
- Paulina Ryenoso, Southern Illinois University
- Linda Urbina-Perez, Malcolm X College
“Supporting the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation scholarships aligns with our goal of increasing access to oral health care and education,” says Lora Vitek, executive director of the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation. “These scholarships are an important step toward fostering opportunities for underrepresented communities in the dental field, which will help lead to more equitable health outcomes as more individuals will receive care in Illinois.”
In addition to the HDAF scholarship, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation supports equity in the dental profession through its Diversity Admissions Scholarship to attend Midwestern University’s College of Dental Medicine-Illinois. To learn more ways Delta Dental of Illinois and its Foundation are promoting health equity and inclusion, see the latest Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
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About Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation was formed in March 2008 by Delta Dental of Illinois, a not-for-profit dental service corporation with a mission to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois and works to support and improve the oral health of people in Illinois. In the past decade, combined efforts of Delta Dental of Illinois and Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation have provided more than $30 million to programs and organizations in Illinois that improve the oral health of the residents of Illinois.
About Hispanic Dental Association Foundation
The Hispanic Dental Association Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the oral health of Hispanic communities through scholarships, grants, and leadership opportunities. Established alongside the Hispanic Dental Association, the Foundation focuses on supporting Hispanic dental professionals who are committed to improving oral health care within their communities. By providing financial assistance, mentorship, and leadership development, HDAF plays a crucial role in fostering a diverse and culturally competent dental workforce, which is essential for addressing the specific oral health needs of Hispanic populations across the United States.