School of Dentistry Alumni Award Winners
Get to know the remarkable dental professionals who inspire the OHSU alumni community.
Congratulations to the 2025 School of Dentistry Alumni Award Winners
Eugene Skourtes, D.M.D. ’68
Agent of Change Award
“Dr. Skourtes’s humble beginnings, selflessness and self-made success story are a true inspiration that through hard work and compassion, success is attainable.”
— Mimi Poon Whittemore, D.M.D. ’02
As founder of Willamette Dental Group (WDG), Eugene Skourtes, D.M.D. ’68 has transformed the landscape of dentistry and left a lasting impact on oral health in the region. Skourtes pioneered an alternative to traditional fee-for-service dentistry that emphasizes prevention and long-term health. Now the largest multi-specialty practice in the Pacific Northwest, WDG’s innovative practice model has improved outcomes for thousands of patients throughout Oregon and beyond.
Skourtes’s non-profit organization, The Skourtes Institute, provides grants supporting education and oral health care research, including projects to improve outcomes for underserved populations. The Skourtes Institute recently participated in an NIH-funded study examining WDG’s unique model of preventive care and its potential to reduce oral health disparities in children covered by Medicaid.
Skourtes and his wife, Bonnie, have also made a meaningful impact through their generous support of Oregon institutions including OHSU, Portland Community College, Pacific University, the Oregon Historical Society and Portland Art Museum.
Kimberly Wright, D.M.D. ’89
John C. Peterson Distinguished Alumni Award
“In my humble opinion, Dr. Wright is long overdue in receiving the John C. Peterson Distinguished Alumni Award.”
— Barry Taylor, D.M.D. ’95
Kimberly Wright, D.M.D. ’89, has made a meaningful impact on the dental profession through her leadership and passion for lifelong learning. A highly respected clinician, Wright is known for her expertise in oral facial pain and exceptional commitment to organized dentistry and continuing education.
A Fellow and Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), Wright helped design Oregon’s MasterTrack program, creating a clearer path for dentists interested in working towards a mastership. In 2019, Wright and her colleagues spearheaded building the Oregon AGD’s Center, a state-of-the-art learning facility and community hub for Oregon dentists.
Wright has served the dental community through many leadership roles including as current secretary of the AGD. She is the recent recipient of one of the AGD’s highest honors, the Thaddeus Weclew Award, and numerous other awards throughout her career.
Jonathan Yih, D.M.D. ’16, R ’18, M.S. ’18
Early Career Achievement Award
“He is a quiet, yet impactful leader who selflessly gives his time and resources back to his alma mater, his fellow colleagues and aspiring orthodontists around the country.”
— Jacqueline Ryan Thrower, D.M.D. ’20, R ’23, M.S. ’23
Jonathan Yih, D.M.D. ’16, R ’18, M.S. ’18 is a board-certified orthodontist who is already making outstanding contributions to dentistry and orthodontics. Currently a partner at Sunnyside Orthodontics in Clackamas, Dr. Jon is known for his leadership, innovation and mentorship. With experience navigating the challenges of corporate-led and private practice settings, he provides guidance to dentists facing similar challenges. In his role as an assistant professor at OHSU, Dr. Jon created a class that provides current orthodontics residents with real-world examples of private practice orthodontics and case management.
Dr. Jon has shown an extraordinary commitment to furthering orthodontics. He is a published researcher and serves in leadership roles including Oregon Director of the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, Past President of the Oregon State Society of Orthodontists and Officer of the OHSU Orthodontic Alumni Association.
Jack Ferracane, Ph.D.
School of Dentistry Alumni Leadership Council President’s Award
“I started doing research for Dr. Ferracane when I was in undergrad. He was incredibly kind, got me connected with dental students, and helped foster my passion for dentistry. I will forever be grateful for how he helped me launch my career.”
— Carly Petersen, D.M.D. ’19
President, School of Dentistry Alumni Leadership Council
Jack Ferracane, Ph.D., is an internationally respected educator, emeritus professor and former chair of the OHSU School of Dentistry’s Oral Rehabilitation and Integrative Biosciences Department. Ferracane is known for his humility and dedication to his work and dental students. After 36 years of service, he retired from OHSU in January 2025, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to dental research and education.
Ferracane is a prolific researcher and author who has published 348 articles since 1981. He’s authored eight textbooks and presented at more than 80 international and national conferences. He holds 10 patents and has secured more than $29 million in research funding throughout his career from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and private industry.
