ODHA - Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association, Inc.

Scholarships and Awards

GLOBAL OUTREACH SCHOLARSHIP

2011 recipient Deborah Fulks on the right and presenter Brittany Moore on the left

The Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association (ODHA), in an effort to support our members in providing increased access to dental hygiene care to the underserved populations of the world, offers a monetary award of $250.00 to a member applicant at it's annual meeting in November. This award ,established in 2006, is facilitated by the Member Services Council of the ODHA, and financially supported by the association.

Global Outreach Scholarship Recipients:
2011: Deborah Fulks
2010: Christine Byrne
2009: Sue Bartoo
2008: Krista Ventresco
2007: Sue Bartoo
2006: Beth Monnin

CHRISTOPHER L. SIMMONS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

2011 recipient Jessica Herr from Rhodes State College on the right and presenter Krista Ventresco on the left

The Christopher L. Simmons Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Professor Chris Simmons. Chris earned a Bachelors Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan, a Masters in Dental Hygiene from Columbia University, and an MBA from the University of Toledo. He began his career in Dental Hygiene Education at Owens Technical College in 1978.

Chris was both a role model and an advocate for life-long learning. This was evidenced not only by his advanced degrees, but also by being inducted into the Academy of Dental Hygiene Studies.

Chris was committed to Professional Dental Hygiene. He was active in the Toledo, Ohio, and American Dental Hygienists’ Associations. He also held memberships in the American Association of Dental Schools and the Ohio Expanded Functions Association.

Mr. Simmons was active on the Owens Community College campus in a variety of activities. He was very much a part of the Owens Community College Family. Chris had a keen understanding of volunteerism and practiced it on a routine basis. He was a dedicated educator and maintained high academic standards.

In addition to his professional and career related activities, Chris also owned, managed, and maintained six rental units at three locations. His interests included travel, music, movies, and fine dining. Chris loved to dance, played golf, and was an avid University of Michigan football fan. Gardening became a passion with him over the last several years of his life and his Kipling Street address boasted a “showcase” yard.

It wouldn’t be fair to discuss Chris and not mention his humor. Chris was a wonderful storyteller; he constantly had a joke to tell. But, he will most be remembered for the practical jokes that he played on everyone. It was not unusual for friends to find that they were on a list of interested Army recruits, an applicant in the Mrs. Ohio Beauty Contest or enrolled in modeling school. He was master of the telephone hoax. He would be an irate client, a student who needed desperately to be seen by an advisor but could only come in on Saturdays, an irate applicant for the program or someone who wanted information but could never quite get out what information they wanted. The worst of it was that, although everyone knew his history of the telephone hoax, they fell for it time and time again.

When the faculty decided to honor Christopher L. Simmons by establishing a student/graduate award in his name, they wanted the criteria to reflect those attributes that Chris possessed and demonstrated. They wanted to recognize a student who had demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to life long learning, community service, professional association involvement, rapport of faculty and a future vision through the development of personal and professional goals.

The faculty would like me to thank those students who took the time and effort to complete the application for this award. As with the selection of all honor awards, it was a very difficult decision to make. The recipient of this award will receive a framed certificate and will also have their name placed on a permanent annual plaque located on the second floor of the Health Technologies Hall. The recipient will also be recognized during the graduation ceremony.

ODHA Service Award

2011 recipient Suzy Savanick on the right and Presenter Mary Herrmann on the left.

Continued service to one’s professional organization is vital to the success of that organization. Members often serve the organization unselfishly without receiving formal recognition or thanks for their efforts. The ODHA Service Award is designed to recognize a member who has given unselfishly to the STATE Dental Hygienist’ Association for five or more years. Any ODHA member may be nominated if the criteria outlined in the application form is met.

ODHA Service Award Recipients

2011: Suzy Savanick
2010: Jeanne Huber
2009: Angie Demko
2008: Pat Frese
2007: Anne Missig-Henry
2006: Pat Park
2005: Linda Hewetson
2004: Mary Herrmann
2003: Lynda Sabat
2002: Cheryl Herrmann & Kathy Lodge
2001: Sandy Winchell & Linda Hewetson

2000: Sandy Brado
1999: Biz McClure
1998: Chris Harmison
1997: Mary Kaye Scaramucci
1996: Trudy Palameteer
1995: Sandy Winchell
1994: Nancy Donini
1993: Ann Naber & Donna Mazzone
1992: Deb Oblisk
1991: Lynette Lynn Lynn-Fraser
1990: Lou Barrett

ODHA Outstanding Effort Award

2011 recipient Rachel Henry on the left and Presenter, Mary Herrmann on right.

This award is designed to honor a selected member or ODHA Committee who has best exemplified outstanding service to the STATE Dental Hygienists’ Association during the fiscal year. An individual or Committee may be nominated for this award if the criteria outlined in the application form is met.

Outstanding Effort Award Recipients

2011: Rachel Henry
2010: Angie Demko & Connie Hamm
2009: Anne Missig-Henry
2008: Gretchen Matty
2007: Member Services Council
2006: Katie Camp
2005: Janelle Schierling & Jacolynn Fischer
2004: Melissa Williams & Suzy Savanick
2003: Denise Bowers
2002: None submitted
2001: Beth Monin

2000: Clifford Jones
1999: Linda Hewetson
1998: Kim Cahill & Jill Hay
1997: TDW Committee
1996: Sheranita Hemphill
1995: Government Relations
1994: Kathy Zukie
1993: None submitted
1992: Terrie Pope
1991: Corrine Woodworth
1990: Membership Committee

Sandra L. Winchell Exemplary Service Award

2011 recipient Pat Powers on left and Presenter, Katie Camp on right.

A professional organization is only as strong as the commitment of its members to the organization’s success.

While it is often the leaders of an organization that are rightfully given credit for its achievements, it requires other dedicated members who selflessly give of themselves in supporting roles for the plans of the organization’s leaders to reach fruition.

For the efforts of these unsung members, the Sandra L. Winchell Exemplary Service Award has been created in Sandy’s name. This award was created to honor her longstanding commitment to ODHA, her timely use of her creative talents to benefit ODHA, and her lasting impact on the image and reputation of ODHA.

The recipient will be recognized during the ODHA Annual Session and be presented a monetary award of $500.00 made possible through a generous contribution by Sandy’s husband, Jerry Winchell.

Sandra L. Winchell Exemplary Service Award Recipients:
2011: Pat Powers
2010: Chris Harmison
2009: Elizabeth "Biz" McClure
2008: Krista Ventresco
2007: Sandy Brado

O.D.H.A. Gail Benninger Member Scholarship

2011 recipient Jamie Krob on the right and presenter Angie Demko on the left .

The ODHA Member Scholarship has been in existence for many years and was renamed the O.D.H.A. Gail Benninger Member Scholarship in honor of an outstandingly professional and dedicated ODHA member. Gail received her bachelor¹s degree from the Ohio State University Dental Hygiene Program and her master¹s degree from the University of Akron. Gail Benninger, RDH, MS, was an active ODHA member for several years serving in many capacities not the least of which was her term as ODHA President 1984-85 She was tireless in her efforts toward legislative initiatives in Ohio, compassionate about fluoridation campaigning and drafting infection control standards that guide us today. Outside of ODHA, Gail served as Clinical and Preventive Services Coordinator at the Bureau of Oral Health Services, Ohio Department of Health, where she was also a very valued and honored employee.

Margie A. Pearce Aspiring Professional Award

2011 recipient Beth Tronolone on right and Presenter, Jeanne Huber on left.

This award, developed by the Government Relations Committee of the Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association, is posthumously honoring a member of the Association. It is meant to recognize the contributions of a grassroots member who has promoted the profession of dental hygiene through legislative involvement.

Be nominated by an ODHA member
Have at least 5 (five) years cumulative membership in ODHA

Activities that improve the image of dental hygiene
Eagerness to grow in the professional organization
Recognition of the value of mentoring
Legislative contributions on the local/state level

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