Dental News - Hinman announces 2019 #MyHinman scholarship winners

Dental Tribune USA

Fri. 17 May 2019

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ATLANTA, Ga., USA: The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, described by organizers as the nation’s leading dental meeting and comprehensive source of continuing education in dentistry, has announced the winners of its 2019 #MyHinman Campaign, awarding scholarships to students at three southeastern schools.

The winners are: First Place, $1,500: Chattanooga State Community College – Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA); Second Place, $1,000: Aiken Technical College Dental Assisting Program – Shelby Folger; and Third Place, $500: Augusta Technical College Department of Dental Assisting – Kiesha Jones.

Hinman scholarship winner Shelby Folger of the Aiken Technical College Dental Assisting Program. (Photo: The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting)

“I am proud to say that over the past 18 years, the Hinman Dental Meeting has contributed millions of dollars to students and dental education programs throughout the country,” said Dr. Jonathan Dubin, general chair for Hinman 2019. “The #MyHinman campaign is a fun way to get our attendees and exhibitors involved in this giving effort.”

The campaign, which kicked off in September 2018 and wrapped up at Hinman 2019, asked participants to post the official hashtag — #MyHinman — on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to help raise money for scholarships and be entered into a monthly drawing for $100 cash. Hinman and its official housing company, EventSphere, donated to the scholarship bank each time a post was shared on social media with the #MyHinman hashtag.

Individuals were encouraged to vote for which schools should receive the “My Hinman” scholarships, and the top three schools receiving the most votes were named First, Second and Third place winners. The schools then named a deserving recipient.

Hinman’s First Place winner, Chattanooga State Community College, opted to share the $1,500 among the entire class. “The class as a whole was ecstatic to learn the news of being named the 1st place winner,” said Mellissa Boyd, dental hygiene instructor for Chattanooga State. “The money will be used to offset some of the class’ financial burden for their clinical boards plus fund scholarships for current dental hygiene program students.”

“I was super excited when I found out about winning Second Place for the [#MyHinman] scholarship,” said Shelby Folgar, a dental assisting student at Aiken Technical College. “My first Hinman experience was fun and enjoyable. I loved seeing all of different products and speaking with others who love dentistry as much as I do.”

Hinman scholarship winner Kiesha Jones of the Augusta Technical College Department of Dental Assisting. (Photo: The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting)

The campaign’s Third Place winner, Kiesha Jones, said, “I honestly was shocked. There are a lot of amazing people in my class who deserve this award just as I do. But, for me to be chosen made me realize that all my hard work and dedication is paying off.”

Student attendance at Hinman 2019 was strong, with a total of 824 dental students from dental schools across the country, meeting organizers said. In addition, there were 308 pre-dental students, 475 hygiene students and 694 assisting students who attended Hinman this year to take advantage of various programs. Many took part in the G.O.L.D. Program, Dental Student Happy Hour and Scholars’ Luncheon. At the Scholars’ Luncheon held during the Meeting, Hinman awarded 90 scholarships at 47 premiere dental programs throughout the Southeast.

Over the past 18 years, the Hinman Dental Society has contributed nearly $10 million in scholarships and large gifts in support of dental education.

‘The Hinman Tradition’

The Hinman Dental Meeting is designed with a commitment to quality and professionalism and a high regard for the value of continuing education. The meeting is sponsored by the Hinman Dental Society, a non-profit organization, and excess revenue is invested and gifted in the form of individual scholarships to dental, hygiene and assisting students and in contributions to institutions that foster dental education.

More information about the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting is available online, at www.hinman.org, or by contacting Ms. Sylvia Ratchford, executive director, at (404) 231-1663.

(Source: The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting)