2025 Awards and Recognitions


2025 Storyteller of the Year Award

This award honors a distinguished SAID dentist whose dedication embodies the mission of the Delta Dental Institute grant, “Telling the story of a path to dentistry: Connecting AI/AN dentists with AI/AN youth.”

Through her tireless efforts, Dr. Lucinda Lewis has inspired American Indian students to explore and embrace the rewarding career of dentistry. She undertook a remarkable journey, visiting numerous schools within her home community and traveled to conferences to engage with students. Her passionate advocacy emphasized the importance of oral health and the critical need to strengthen the workforce of American Indian dentists, leaving an indelible impact on future generations.


George Blue Spruce, Jr. Endowed Award (GBS Award) for Student Excellence

The GBS award is given to one rising D4 student who exemplifies the spirit of Dr. Blue Spruce’s legacy of excellence. Now an endowed scholarship program, the following generous donors have made it possible.

  • San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority of California and Nevada.

  • Dr. Joseph Salkowitz, a longtime associate member of SAID and friend to Dr. Blue Spruce.

  • Dr. Wayne Cottam, Dean of Rocky Vista Dental School, and a former associate dean at ASDOH, and friend and colleague of Dr. Blue Spruce

  • Dr. Scott Tucker, Dr. Frederick Jeremy John and Dr. DezBaa Damon Mallette, all past SAID students and current voting members.

The 2025 Award goes to:

Colby Dean
(MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians)
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

 


Dental Student Awards | Sponsored by Crest OralB

Savanna Brewer
(Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina)
Workman School of Dental Medicine - High Point University

Roberta DeTorres
(Native Village of Ouzinkie)
Pacific Northwest University School of Dental Medicine

Hunter Glenn
(Comanche Nation of Oklahoma)
Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine

Hunter Jolicoeur
(Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina)
East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine

Kelly King
(Muscogee Creek Nation)
Pacific Northwest University School of Dental Medicine

Noah Sanders
(Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma)
OU College of Dentistry

Rita Sarracino
(Laguna Pueblo)
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

August Smith
(Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina)
UNC Adams School of Dentistry

 


Resident Award | Sponsored by Colgate

Joseph Jagers, DMD
(Laguna Pueblo)
Virginia Commonwealth University, ENDO Residency 

 


2025 Dental School Graduate Blanketing Ceremony | Sponsored by Sackcloth & Ashes

Dr. Connor Asay
(Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma)
Creighton School of Dental Medicine

Dr. Briielle Breland
(Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California)
Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Dr. Philip Conte
(Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin)
Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine

Dr. Athens Graves
(Muscogee Nation)
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine

Dr. Dimitri Mahee
(Muscogee Creek Nation)
Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Dr. Chance Salway
(Oglala Lakota)
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine

Dr. Dominique Yellowhair
(Navajo Nation)
Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Dr. Teague Rutherford
(Fort Belknap - Assiniboine Gros Ventre)
General Practice Residency

Dr. Tommie Chavis
(Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina)
Internship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

 


Special thanks to our 2025 Conference Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Dental School Partners