Throughout my career in dentistry, I've had the privilege of working alongside many talented and dedicated professionals. But every once in a while, someone comes along who truly stands apart. For me, that person is Erin Gresham. It is with tremendous pride and heartfelt appreciation that I nominate Erin for the Heart to Hands Award. She embodies everything that makes our profession so special: compassion, perseverance, clinical excellence, an unwavering commitment to learnin

Proudly Nominating Heather Waldron, LDH, BSDH, MHI for the Heart to Hands Award I have known Heather Waldron for eight years, and in that time I have never once heard her ask for credit. What I have seen, over and over, is her quietly showing up for other people. She is a mentor, a public health advocate, and a hygienist-inspired ambassador for our profession. Above all, she is someone who believes that every person deserves access to care, no matter where they live or what t

Caring for Every Smile, From Childhood to Geriatric Care A child’s nervous smile and an elderly patient’s trusting gaze may seem worlds apart, but both have taught me the same lesson: caring for oral health means caring for the whole person. Throughout my career as a dental hygienist, I have served patients at every stage of life, from preschool children learning about oral hygiene to nursing home residents who depend on others for daily care. These experiences have shown me

October 13, 2026 Dear Members of the Award Committee, It is my honor to nominate Professor Mary Ann Pedersen, RDH, M.A., for the Heart to Hand Award. When I learned of this opportunity to recognize a dental hygiene educator who exemplifies compassion, service, and transformative leadership, Professor Pedersen immediately came to mind. Her impact on our students, our program, and the communities we serve is profound, sustained, and unmistakably heartfelt. Professor Pedersen sh

Savannah Robinson, RDH, BA My journey in dentistry started over 10 years ago, but my passion for dental hygiene has grown with every patient, every lesson, and every life I have had the privilege of touching. I entered dentistry because I wanted a career where I could make a difference in people’s lives. Over the years, I have learned that oral health is about so much more than teeth. It affects confidence, comfort, overall health, and quality of life. As a periodontal hygien

Registered Dental Hygienist | Prevention • Education • Advocacy • Leadership Page 1 WHAT I DO EVERY DAY AS A REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST More than a profession - a daily commitment to prevention, health, education, trust, and leadership. I Don't Just Clean Teeth. I Change the Trajectory of Health. Every day I put on my scrubs, I step into a role that is far greater than what many people see from the outside. I am a Registered Dental Hygienist - a clinician, prevention special

Heart to Hands Award Nomination Nominee: Jerry RDH I want to nominate Jerry RDH for the Heart to Hands Award because I genuinely think he’s made a bigger impact on the dental hygiene community than he probably even realizes. As a fellow hygienist, I think we can all agree that this profession can be A LOT sometimes. Between difficult patients, crazy schedules, office drama, patients who swear they floss every day (but we know better), and trying to stay on time while doing a

To all the fellow hygienists out there and our dental professionals we know the daily struggles of just trying to amount to what our patients and bosses expect of us, but why not be more. Since covid I found myself slowly getting out of a toxic job and slowly moving into temping jobs and then finally landing a very wonderful full time office, which is hard to say for most. There is always something though that I would expect to challenge me as I grow in my profession, respect

What Makes Me Love Dental Hygiene? I still remember my first job at 18 years old and the dental hygienist who left a lasting impression on me. She was the shining light of the office, walking through the doors with a big smile and a warmth that made patients feel comfortable, cared for, and welcome. I didn’t know then how much dental hygiene would shape my future, but I knew I never wanted to pursue another career. Today, I understand that her impact went far beyond her smile

Heart to Hands Award – Nomination Statement Nominee: Fernando Medina, RDH For me, dental hygiene has always been about more than clinical care. It is about people, compassion, education, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. As a registered dental hygienist with over three years of experience, I have developed a deep appreciation for the impact we can have beyond the dental chair. Every patient has a different story, different circumstances, a

What Makes Me Love Dental Hygiene? Dental hygiene is more than just a career to me. It is a profession that allows me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through compassion, education, and genuine human connection. Every day, I have the opportunity to help someone feel healthier, more confident, and more comfortable with their smile. What I love most about dental hygiene is knowing that even the smallest act of kindness can leave a lasting impact on someone’s li

Hello i am so happy with all the dental work and cleanings that are done in my mouth he takes time and dedication every time, also informs you and instructions on what he recommends to improve my teeth if needed i smile with pride and always receive great complements about my teeth. Carlos is a great hygienists could not ask for a better one he, makes me feel confident in myselt and in my work great communication skills and great recommendation, always happy and excited for m

One Little Boy Changed the Way I See Dental Hygiene I never imagined that my own son would change the way I see my profession. My son Milan was born tongue-tied. As a Registered Dental Hygienist, I thought I understood what that meant. But at three years old, he began snoring and grinding his teeth, and I was told it was nothing. As a mom, I knew something wasn't right. I started asking questions, looking for answers, and learning about orofacial myofunctional therapy. That e

September 27TH, 2026 To whom It May Concern I am honored to nominate Missy Strunk, a public health dental hygiene practitioner from Douglassville, Pennsylvania, for the Philips Heart & Hand Award. Missy has devoted nearly four decades of her life to dentistry, and throughout her career, she has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving others, improving access to care, mentoring the next generation, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of people in her co

My Dental Hygiene Story I believe oral healthcare should meet people where they are. My journey as a dental hygienist has taken me far beyond the traditional dental office. It has taken me across different cities in Iraq, where I independently provided dental hygiene treatment to orphans and widows who had limited access to preventive oral healthcare. I chose to use my professional skills in this way because I believe that everyone deserves to feel cared for and to have acces

A Purpose Reimagined: Where My Heart, Hands, and Advocacy Meet My passion for dentistry began in middle school. Even then, I envisioned a future in which I could work in oral healthcare and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. My original dream was to become a pediatric dentist, combining my love for children with my interest in dentistry. However, my journey did not unfold as I had planned. After struggling with biology, I allowed one small defeat to influenc

My career has been built on the belief that meaningful work is not measured solely by personal success, but by the lasting impact we make on the lives of others. I began my career in public health in 2007 as a dental assistant, and I quickly fell in love with the profession. I knew I wanted to do more, which inspired me to pursue dental hygiene. In 2016, I graduated from dental hygiene school and have continued to practice in public health ever since. Throughout my journey, o

Being a dental hygienist is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. I believe oral health is about more than just clean teeth; it is about confidence, comfort, overall health, and helping people feel good about themselves. I want every patient who sits in my chair to feel valued, heard, and cared for. To me, going above and beyond means doing more than simply completing a cleaning or checking off a list of tasks.

I truly believe I was destined to become a dental hygienist. My journey began at just five years old, when something as simple as chocolate chip prophy paste sparked an interest that would grow into a lifelong passion. Nearly ten years into my career, I am even more grateful for this profession—not only for the opportunities it has provided me, but for the person it has helped me become. Dental hygiene has taught me so much about myself, both personally and professionally. It

Courtney Justice embodies the true spirit of the Heart to Hands Award through her unwavering dedication to service, her passion for advancing the dental hygiene profession, and her commitment to ensuring that every individual has access to compassionate, quality oral health care. Courtney’s impact extends far beyond her local community. She is deeply committed to advancing equality within the dental hygiene profession and believes in empowering hygienists to have a voice, acc

Philips Heart to Hands Awards 2027 Entry The Moment They Finally See | Jacy McKinney, RDH Healthy gums do not bleed. Strong dental practices do not grow by accident. Those two truths became the foundation of my love for dental hygiene. My greatest fear as a dental hygienist was that someone would one day ask, "How did she miss that?" I never wanted disease to go undetected or a patient to be undertreated because I failed to assess thoroughly or explain what I saw. I promise

November 5, 2026 Selection Committee 2027 Philips Heart to Hands Award Re: Nomination of Paige Tscherpel, BSRDH, for the 2027 Philips Heart to Hands Award Dear Selection Committee, I am happy to nominate Paige Tscherpel, BSRDH for your consideration of the 2027 Philips Heart to Hands Award. I have known Paige for well over 10 years, and 8 of those as her manager. Paige graduated from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2009 and has dedicated the last decad

I want to nominate my mom, Kathi Hunger-Sanders for the Heart to Hands award. She has been working as a Dental Hygienist in the dental field for over 42 years. In that time, she spent 20 years working as a certified school dental hygienist in the state of Pennsylvania. She went above and beyond her duties to provide the best possible care for her students while working within her budget allotted by the school. She would coordinate reduced cost care with local dentists for

Why I Love Dental Hygiene Krystal Afzalzada, B.Ed., RDH, CDA II Master of Education Candidate If you had told me 20 years ago that my career in dentistry would take me from the clinical chair to the classroom, onto stages, and into conversations about dementia care, I probably wouldn't have believed you. But that's exactly what I love about this profession. It has never asked me to stay in one place. I began my journey as a dental assistant before becoming a registered dental

More Than a Profession: A Lifetime of Caring, One Smile at a Time Since becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist in 1990, I have dedicated more than 36 years of my life to a profession that has given me so much more than a career. It has given me the privilege of meeting thousands of people, building lifelong relationships, sharing in their joys and sorrows, mentoring the next generation of dental hygienists, and making a difference in people's lives in ways that go far beyond

Making a Difference, One Smile at a Time: A Passion That Goes Beyond the Plaque Written by Amber M. Nehme, RDH, M.Ed Plaque may be something I spend my days removing, but smiles, confidence, and connections are what make me love dental hygiene! My name is Amber Nehme, RDH, M.Ed., and for the past 20 years, this profession has been so much more than a career to me. It has been my calling, my passion, and my way of making a difference; one patient, one student, and one smile at

I have always loved dentistry at a young age! But I started my professional journey in dentistry in 2009 as a dental assistant. I eventually decided to take the next step and become a dental hygienist. I graduated from dental hygiene school in 2025, and I am so grateful that I get to do something every day that allows me to help people and make a difference in their lives. One of my favorite things about being a dental hygienist is getting to know my patients and helping them

To the Selection Committee, It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I submit my nomination for recognition as an Outstanding Dental Hygienist. I believe I embody the true meaning of compassionate patient care, professional excellence, and dedication to the field of dental hygiene. My passion extends far beyond cleaning teeth. I understand that dental hygiene is about building relationships, restoring confidence, educating patients, and making a meaningful difference in peo

When I think about what makes me love dental hygiene, I don't immediately think about teeth, instruments, or even the clinical skills I've spent years perfecting. I think about people. I think about the children who once walked into my operatory terrified and now run down the hallway excited to see me. I think about the patients who have never experienced compassionate dental care and the confidence they gain when someone takes the time to listen. I think about the communitie

Phillips Herts to Hands Self-Nomination Written Submission for Emily Wall, RDH, AA, AS My path to dental hygiene began with a desire to build a life around meaningful work, human connection, and caring for others. After years in retail management and time devoted to raising my children, I returned to college as an adult student. I discovered how much I loved science and biology, but what ultimately drew me to dental hygiene was the opportunity to turn that knowledge into some

One of the things I love most about being a dental hygienist is taking someone who says, “I hate the dentist,” and eventually hearing them say, “I actually look forward to coming here.” I have always been a people person, and I have learned that my favorite part of dental hygiene is not simply caring for someone’s teeth—it is caring for the person sitting in my chair. I have had patients walk into my operatory angry, anxious, embarrassed, or carrying years of dental trauma. O

Beyond the Chair: A Hygienist's Heart for Her Patients 2027 Heart to Hands Award Submission For over 18 years, I have had the privilege of serving patients as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Florida. Throughout my career, I've always believed that being a great dental hygienist means so much more than providing excellent clinical care. It's about compassion, kindness, building relationships, and making people feel genuinely cared for. One patient in particular has reminded m

It is with great respect and humility that I submit my nomination for the Philips Heart to Hands Awards, in partnership with RDH Magazine. I truly believe I would represent this award with honor and gratitude. I have been practicing dental hygiene for 35 years, with 17 of those years dedicated to the pediatric field. Throughout my career, I have always strived to fulfill the oath I made to uphold the core values of the dental hygiene profession and remain dedicated to providi

Hilda Sadigh Harouni, RDH What makes me love dental hygiene? The honest answer is people. For more than thirty years, I have had the privilege of sitting across from someone for an hour and getting to know them. Everyone who sits in my chair has a story. I have learned to listen to it. Over the years that listening became the part of the job I cannot imagine living without. The scaling and the polishing I could do in my sleep. The connection is why I come to work. I have prac

Growing up, the odds were stacked against me. My mother was just a child herself at 14 years old when she brought me into this world. Navigating life under those circumstances meant living with continuous financial hardship, instability, and a lack of resources. The path to a better future was far from obvious or easy, but watching her fight against adversity instilled in me a deep resilience and an unwavering desire to break the cycle of poverty through education. As a first

Heart to Hands Self-Nomination Patricia Brinkman-Falter, BSDH, RDH, MS, PHRDH, COM, FADHA What I love about dental hygiene is that there is always another opportunity to make a difference. After more than four decades in this profession, I am still learning, still asking questions, and still finding ways to use what I know to help patients and colleagues. Over the years, my understanding of patient care has continued to grow. Clinical skills matter, but so does caring and pay

After 40 years in dentistry and 20 years as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP), I can honestly say I still love what I do. As the owner of Special Access Dental, I have dedicated my practice to bringing dental hygiene care to individuals who often cannot access a traditional dental office. My patients include the elderly, homebound, medically fragile, and individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs. What I love most about my profes

Heart to Hands 2027 Submission-Kendra Flowers, RDH, MSDH, CDIPC Nominee: Kendra Flowers, RDH, MSDH, CDIPC (self-nomination) The truth about our oral health care system is that it is broken. It waits for disease to show up, then gets paid to fix the damage, and the families with the least access to care carry the most disease. I started as a pediatric dental assistant, holding the hands of children through treatment that a sealant or a fluoride varnish could have prevented. As

One of the best parts of my career as a Registered Dental Hygienist is getting to share it with my favorite person. ❤️ We met in dental hygiene school, never imagining that 12 years later we'd still be working side by side as two hygienists, caring for patients and doing what we love. From classmates studying for exams to colleagues treating patients together, we've grown so much both personally and professionally. I especially love getting to watch him do what he does best.

I am honored to recognize Kristen for the meaningful impact she makes every day as a dental hygienist. Kristen is so much more than an exceptional hygienist-she is the heart of our office and someone who consistently makes a difference in the lives of our patients, coworkers, and the dental professionals around her. Kristen has an incredible ability to make everyone feel supported and valued. She is always willing to help, whether it is a member of our front desk team, a dent

What makes me love dental hygiene after 25 years is that the profession never stands still—and neither have I. When I started my career, clinical practice looked entirely different: we didn’t wear loupes, airway health wasn’t part of the conversation, and I had to return to school later just to earn my anesthesia permit. I quickly realized that lifelong learning wasn’t optional, it was the key to keeping my passion alive. Because I embraced that evolution, I’ve had patients r

Heart to Hand Throughout my career as a dental hygienist, educator, and public health advocate, I have believed that oral health is about more than teeth. It is about helping people live healthier lives, especially those who may not otherwise have access to care. My passion for service has guided much of my professional journey. While working in public health and higher education, I have had the opportunity to lead and support outreach programs that connected oral health serv

Heart to Hands Award Nomination – Tatiana, RDH I would like to nominate Tatiana, RDH, for the Heart to Hands Award because she truly represents what it means to be a dedicated, compassionate, and knowledgeable dental hygienist. Tatiana is not only intelligent and passionate about her profession, but she also has a genuine heart for children and their families. She goes above and beyond to keep parents informed and educated about the latest dental products, technologies, and p

Dear Members of the Heart to Hands Award Selection Committee: I am honored to submit my application for the Heart to Hands Award. Throughout my career, I have been committed to improving oral health outcomes for underserved populations, advancing dental hygiene education, and developing sustainable community-based programs that improve access to care for children and families. I earned my Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from West Liberty State College and my Bachelor’s and

“I'm my own dentist!” Those were the first words I heard in a social media video of a man demonstrating how to fill his own cavity. As a dental hygienist with over 30 years of clinical experience, my immediate thought was, “What could possibly go wrong?” Little did I know that this video would be the beginning of a journey that would eventually take me to the stage at the American Dental Hygienists' Association National Convention. It all started with Facebook. I had been notic

Some of the most meaningful things we create in dental hygiene cannot be held in our hands. They are confidence, trust, opportunity, and the feeling that someone believes in you. Throughout my journey, people took the time to teach me, encourage me, and see potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. Their influence helped shape who I am today… and I have made it a priority to offer that same support to others. I am submitting this video highlighting our partnership with

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