About Dental Hygiene Scholarships

Al and Ambur Alfaro (Miller) RDH, BSDH Scholarship

This scholarship is for dental hygiene students entering the 1^st or 2^nd year of the program. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 3.0 overall GPA
• Enrolled full time at Wichita State University and admitted to the professional program in the College of Health Professions, School of Oral Health, Department of Dental Hygiene
• Scholarships may be renewed as long as the recipients meet the required criteria

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

Ambur Alfaro is a native of Wichita and a 2006 graduate of WSU. Mrs. Alfaro obtained her bachelor of Biology with a minor in Spanish in 2004 before obtaining her second bachelor's degree from the Dental Hygiene Program. She practiced in clinical dentistry for a total of 14 years, eight (8) of those years as a Registered Dental Hygienist. In 2013, she accepted a position at Delta Dental of Kansas in Provider Relations with the ability to utilize her dental skills, knowledge and love for dentistry in a different way.

Derwin 'Al' Alfaro is a Wichita transplant. Originally from the Kansas City, KS metro area, he moved to Wichita in 1995 and fell in love with the city and the people. Al and Ambur met through dentistry and have been together since. Al has a strong passion for giving back to the community and helping others succeed.

Al and Ambur enjoy being involved with the community and are very passionate about their hometown. She has served on various boards and they both enjoy volunteering and community service. She has a passion for education and is proud that both her and husband, Al, share the same desires and are able to provide assistance to future Kansas healthcare professionals.

Amy Hollingsworth-Blasi Association Scholarship

This scholarship is for dental hygiene students entering the 2nd year of the program. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 2.75 overall GPA
• Full-time, 2nd year student in entry level program

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

Amy was born August 3, 1967, the middle of five children. Manhattan, Kansas was home where she graduated from high school in 1986 after four years filled with studies, sports, and friendships. Completing three years at Kansas State University, Amy pursued her interest in the dental field. Her decision came as little surprise, as she spent many summers assisting her dad, Dr. Jack Hollingsworth, a dentist. After earning her dental assisting diploma, she worked briefly before entering Wichita State University’s Dental Hygiene program. Always an advocate for her program and school, she was quick and enthusiastic when explaining her career.

As part of its yearly tradition, the WSU Dental Hygiene Department honored her as the top clinical student by presenting her with the Golden Scaler Award. She was a member of the graduating class in Spring 1999. She married, moved into their new home in Wichita and continued her dental hygiene career. Amy’s zest for life was the basis of her every day. Above all, Amy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt and godmother. She died July 24, 2003 and this scholarship was established by her family in her memory.

College of Health Professions Departmental Scholarship

The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Complete application
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA
• Be admitted in the professional program

Diane E. Huntley Scholarship

This scholarship is for dental hygiene students entering the 2nd year of the program. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 2.75 GPA
• Current member of SADHA who is actively in professional activities, community service, and exhibits a high quality of patient-centered care.
• Must attach a one-page paper explaining their concept of patient-centered care and their involvement in a professional organization and community service.

Junetta M. French Everett RDH, BSDH Scholarship

This scholarship is for full-time dental hygiene students entering the 1st year of the program, with preference given to African Americans and Hispanics. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Full-time dental hygiene student in 1st year of the program
• Preference to African Americans and Hispanics
• Must intend to practice dental hygiene at least three days a week in Kansas continuously for at least two years immediately following completion of the program, and sign a document attesting to this intention.
• Must have and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

Junetta French Everett is a 1979 graduate of the Wichita State University Dental Hygiene Program. Obtaining her bachelor of science in dental hygiene, Junetta is proud of the fact that she is the first African American to graduate from the program. She practiced for nine years as a registered dental hygienist and was then able to utilize her degree in the corporate world. In 1987, she accepted a position at Delta Dental of Kansas, the largest Kansas based dental insurance company, where she was promoted to and still serves as vice president of professional relations. Some responsibilities include network development, contracting, compliance, strategy and training on a local and national basis, among others.

Junetta remains involved in the community, serving on several boards including the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Health Foundation, Kansas Children's Service League, Oral Health Kansas Dental Champions and various advisory committees and boards at WSU including the Dental Hygiene Advisory Board, the College of Health Profession Dean's Advisory Committee, the Alumni Association Board, and Shocker Athletic Scholarship organization where she served as president. In 2004 she was honored to be the commencement speaker for the WSU college of Health Professions. Everett also serves on the American Association of Dental Consultants as the only non-dentist and one of the primary contributors to the Kansas Mission of Mercy.

She was the initiator and coordinator of the P.A.N.D.A. (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness) program and coalition for the state of Kansas, a statewide program of public-private partnerships, established to educate dental professionals and others (including nurses, teachers, childcare providers, attorneys, parents and the general public) on how to identify and report suspected cases of child abuse and was the recipient of the Governor's Exemplary Service Award for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Junetta was honored with a granite paver at Wichita State's "Plaza of Heroines" as a leader, mentor and friend for all she has done for her family, friends, company and the community. Demonstrating leadership, Everett was a member of Leadership Kansas and Kansas Leadership Center where she was recognized in the 2012 Journal Magazine for her service as a civic citizen.

Junetta is married to Victor Everett, State Farm Insurance agent, and they are the proud parents of five sons: Terrin (TJ), Taurean, Twins Tevan and Tevas and Tyrell. They have three grandchildren: Torin, Taryn and Tristan. Everett established this fund in 2013 in recognition of her desire to encourage professional excellence, promote quality care and support dental hygiene.

Kansas Dental Hygienists' Association (KDHA) Scholarship

This scholarship is for dental hygiene students entering the 2nd year of the program. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 2.5 GPA in Dental Hygiene
• Professional involvement
• Financial need
• One-page essay

Kari Rinehart Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is for full-time dental hygiene students with preference to 2nd year students. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• 3.5 GPA
• Full time dental hygiene student, preference to 2nd year students
• Financial need
• 500 word essay

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

Kari Rinehart was born on October 3, 1988. Her identical twin sister was born two minutes later. The girls were inseparable; rarely seeing one without the other. Their smiles were contagious to all who came in contact with them. Kari spent her entire life as a resident of South Haven, KS, a small farming community. She was fortunate to have an exceptionally well-rounded education, taking advantage of much that school had to offer. She excelled with the sports teams throughout high school, but she soon discovered her true passion was cross country. By the end of her high school career, Kari achieved the ultimate accomplishment as co-valedictorian of the 2007 graduating class.

As a cross country runner, she was recognized as a hard worker worthy of a scholarship to Cowley County Community College. At Cowley, she made the Dean’s Honor Roll and graduated Summa Cum Laude. After earning her Associates Degree in 2009, Kari was accepted and entered the WSU Dental Hygiene program where she also achieved Dean’s Honor Roll. Kari always knew that she wanted to help people, which is the main reason she chose dental hygiene. She loved being in the clinic and impacting lives through something she was so passionate about. Her patients always knew she truly enjoyed and excelled at her chosen career.

Kari had a true love of life and approached everything with a positive and contagious attitude. She was a very loving, caring, and generous young woman who truly cared about dental hygiene. This scholarship was started by her family to honor her memory and aid another passionate student in their pursuit of a dental hygiene degree from WSU.

Linda Branter/ Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is for dental hygiene students entering the 2nd year of the program. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Kansas resident from any county EXCEPT Sedgwick County.
• Must have and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA.
• Must intend to practice dental hygiene at least three days a week in Kansas continuously for at least two years immediately following completion of the program, and sign a document attesting to this intention.

Wichita Dental Hygienists' Association (WDHA) Scholarship

This scholarship is for either full-time entry level BSDH students or part-time degree completion BSDH students. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Eligibility:

• Minimum of 3.0 GPA
• Consideration to students who are members of SADHA
• Consideration to students who submit a written statement of community involvement

Dr. Marquez J. Sams Scholarship in Dental Hygiene

Eligibility:

• Full-time enrollment in the dental hygiene program. The application deadline is April 1 each year.
• Must meet and maintain at least a 3.50 GPA

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND:

Dr. Sams received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree in 2006 from the internationally recognized University of Louisville School of Dentistry. He completed an advanced post graduate program in South Carolina at Palmetto Health in Richmond, general practice residency.  He returned to the University of Louisville to gain training in Periodontics and received his certificate in Graduate Periodontics in 2010. In addition to his specialty certification, Dr. Sams obtained a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Oral Biology from University of Louisville. Dr. Sams’ thesis defense was focused around site development and dental implant placement, hence his special interest in these areas. He received the best Oral and Clinical Research Presentation at the Academy of Osseointegration meeting in March 2011. Dr. Sams is a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology and stays very active in the dental community. He was the President for the Wichita District Dental Society for the 2016-2017 term and looks forward to serving in the years ahead.