UNITED STATES

Michigan

The 2007 Foundation Scholarship Award was presented to University of Michigan School of Dentistry Student Ruchir Patel from Zambia, India. He had earned his BS degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2002 and an MS in Computer Science in 2003. His father is a general surgeon and has encouraged his son to get into the health field. Ruchir has co-authored two articles, one on children's smiling patterns and oral health and a second one on the effect of periodontal health and self perceptions. He won third prize for his work in the clinical research category at the University of Michigan 2007 Research Day Competition.

The University of Detroit-Mercy 2007 Scholarship winner was Samuel G. Blanchard from Cadillac, Michigan. He earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State and is currently doing a Pediatric Residency at the University of Michigan. He has volunteered at the Bay Cliff Health Camp during the summers of 2006 and 2007.

The University of Michigan 2008 Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Patrick Kennedy from the Chicago suburbs. Patrick graduated from the prestigious Loyola Academy in Wilmette, earned his undergraduate degree from Amhurst College in biology, then did stem cell research at Harvard and Northwestern's Children's Hospitals before entering dental school. UDMSD's Scholarship 2008 recipient is Matthew Moberg from Houghton, Michigan. He earned his undergraduate degree from Bethel College in St. Paul and Wayne State with a term abroad at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. Matt also was a 2007 Bay Cliff Health Camp volunteer. He has done three mission trips to Honduras for the Christian Dental Association which is currently President. He will be joining the U.S. Air Force after graduation.