UC Blue Ash College honors outstanding faculty, staff and alumni

Kim Oberlander, DMD, discovered her interest in public health dentistry through the volunteer opportunities she experienced as a student in the dental hygiene program at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College.

“Not only do you work in the clinic at the school, but you get to go out into the community,” Oberlander shared. “I got to meet so many wonderful patients, and the gratitude from them, it was just enough to change my mind away from private practice.”

Oberlander serves as chief dental officer for Primary Health Solutions, dental director of the Cincinnati Dental Network, and as a dentist for the Cincinnati Health Department. She is being honored with the 2022 UC Blue Ash College Distinguished Alumni Award for her dedication to dental public health in the Cincinnati region and her commitment to treating disadvantaged or homeless individuals who may not have access to quality health care.

“Oftentimes, people forget about public health dentistry, and I’m happy this award can bring it to the forefront so others may learn more about it,” Oberlander said. “People ask me questions and I can now share with them some of the things I do. Cincinnati has such a great dental public health system and I hope to see it keep growing.”

Oberlander was one of 11 notable UC Blue Ash faculty, staff and alumni who were honored at the college’s 2022 Distinguished Awards celebration on September 29.

The annual event was held on the UC Blue Ash campus, where Robin Lightner, dean of the college, highlighted the remarkable accomplishments of each recipient, shared a video featuring each award winner and presented them with their award.

The 2022 award recipients include the following:

• Distinguished Alumni Award – Kim Oberlander, DMD
• Distinguished Teaching Award – Krista Wood, PhD
• Faculty Exemplary Scholarship Award – Taylor Wadian, PhD
• Innovative Teaching Award – Lori Wortylko
• Outstanding Faculty Service Award – Gene Kramer, PhD
• Provost Award for Faculty Excellence – Rob Gioielli, PhD
• Provost Award for Faculty Excellence – Helene Hart, EdD
• Provost Award for Faculty-to-Faculty Research Mentoring – Brad Mallory, PhD
• Staff Distinguished Service Award - Eric Van Hoose, PhD
• Staff Rising Star Award – Alana Dillon
• Young Alumnus Outstanding Achievement Award – Erica Partin

Featured image: (L to R) Tracy Herrmann, Brad Mallory and Brenda Refaei enjoy the reception at the UC Blue Ash Distinguished Awards event.

Lexxie Keel
beckmeag@ucmail.uc.edu