GSDM Chapter of Student National Dental Association Won Medium-Sized Chapter of the Year
The GSDM chapter of Student National Dental Association received first place for the Medium-Sized Chapter of the Year during the SNDA 53rd National Convention in July 2025.
The award is based on the variety and impact of programming each chapter has throughout the academic year in relation to its membership.
“Winning this award was not just a recognition of our events, but of the countless hours of planning, collaboration, and passion that our members put into making SNDA at GSDM thrive,” said MarKee Weaver DMD 27, SNDA president. “This win also shines a light on the efforts we make every day to support the diversity of our school and uplift minority dental and predental students. We do what we can to support those who need it most and to make the path for those coming behind us a little easier.”
Dr. Larry Dunham, assistant dean for diversity, inclusion, equity & belonging and SNDA co-faculty advisor, said he is tremendously grateful and happy to see the GSDM SNDA chapter receive national recognition.
“This first-place award is exciting [as a] moment and a catalyst for organizational collaboration in the future,” Dunham said.
During the 2024–2025 academic year, the GSDM SNDA chapter hosted nearly 40 events. Weaver said the organization plans to host about the same this year. He wants to use the excitement from winning the award to help grow SNDA’s presence at GSDM and within the broader dental community.
“[This victory] validates the hard work we’ve put into creating meaningful programming and motivates us to keep raising the bar,” Weaver said. “Our hope is that this recognition carries momentum into the future, where we can increase the support and resources available to us to ensure we can continue giving back to the communities that need it most.”
In addition to the recognition the chapter received, several GSDM students and alumni earned awards, received scholarships, or were named to leadership positions during the national convention.
- Brittany Quainoo CAMED 22 DMD 26, SNDA past president and MarKee Weaver DMD 27, SNDA president won third place in the Shark Tank competition (sponsored by Colgate) for ErgoRelievR, a clinic-compatible wearable device that provides real-time feedback to help clinicians correct their posture.
- Haloat Sadiku DMD 27 won second place in the research competition.
- Kierra Prophet DMD 27 was awarded a scholarship from Aspen Dental.
- Eli Helaire DMD 25 and MarKee Weaver DMD 27 were awarded NDA scholarships.
- Ruth Umorem DMD 24 was named to the NDA’s 40 Under 40 list.
- Wallace J. Bellamy DMD 89 was elected NDA president. He will be installed in November.