School of Dentistry Alumni Award Winners
Get to know the remarkable dental professionals who inspire the OHSU alumni community.
Congratulations 2024 School of Dentistry Alumni Award Winners
Hai Pham, D.M.D. ’06, R ’09
John C. Peterson Distinguished Alumni Award
“Dr. Pham is making a difference not just within the professional world of dentistry, but also in our community.”
– Barry J. Taylor, DMD ’95
The School of Dentistry Alumni Association recognizes Hai Pham, D.M.D. ’06, R ’09 for his commitment to public service and his perseverance in the face of adversity and challenge.
Dr. Pham was born in a refugee camp in Malaysia following his parents’ escape from Vietnam in the late 1970s. His family emigrated to Oregon and Dr. Pham graduated from the OHSU School of Dentistry in 2006. Upon acceptance into OHSU’s Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program, Dr. Pham was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia. The personal financial challenges he faced at this time fueled his passion for health care reform. After completing his residency, Dr. Pham established Hi5 Dental in 2010.
Through his solo practice, Dr. Pham provides dental care for underserved children in Washington county. He has served on the Oregon Board of Dentistry, and currently serves on the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, as pediatric dentistry chair at Randall Children’s Hospital and represents District 36 in the Oregon House of Representatives. Dr. Pham is unselfish in sharing his personal story in presentations around mental health and well-being, and is deeply committed to the improvement of oral health in Oregon – at the clinical, organizational and legislative levels.
Amy Pruett, D.M.D. ’13
Early Career Achievement Award
“Dr. Pruett always has the best interest of her students in mind and strives for excellence in everything she does.”
– Despoina Bompolaki, D.D.S., M.S., Director, Clinical Restorative Dentistry, OHSU School of Dentistry
Amy Pruett, D.M.D. ’13 practiced general dentistry at Gentle Dental and served for several years as Managing General Dentist for the Willamette Dental Group before beginning her academic career. She joined the faculty at OHSU School of Dentistry in 2021 and serves as the Broadway Group Practice Leader. Her students report that Dr. Pruett achieves a balance of providing guidance while still allowing them to build and develop their own critical thinking and decision-making skills in clinical care. Cited as a role model in balancing family and professional lives, Dr. Pruett is also recognized as a true team player, and as an advocate for meaningful change in the OHSU School of Dentistry.
“I genuinely feel that I was given the appropriate tools [by OHSU] to be a successful clinician.” Dr. Pruett says. “I hope to be able to continue this legacy of high-quality clinical training.”
Gary W. Allen, D.M.D. ’73
Agent of Change Award
“Dr. Allen’s commitment to excellence has been an inspiration for many, and his dedication to oral healthcare has positively impacted the lives of countless individuals.”
– Sharity Ludwig, EPDH, MS
The inaugural recipient of this award, Gary W. Allen, D.M.D. ’73 is recognized as a champion of innovative changes in the dental care delivery system that will have long-term benefits for the dental profession and for Oregonians.
Dr. Allen began his over 50-year dental career in the U.S. Army, holding several key positions in clinical, academic, research, advisory, and command domains. He retired from the military as a Colonel and Commander of the North Atlantic Regional Dental Command at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Dr. Allen’s almost thirteen-year tenure at Advantage Dental has been marked by his invaluable contributions to expanding access to care in rural and frontier areas through the utilization of Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists. He advocated for the use of silver diamide fluoride through Advantage Dental. He has also been highly effective in securing legislative funding for dental pilot projects and expanded service training that has established a model for change in the delivery of dental services, particularly in under-served areas.
Kimberly Wright, D.M.D. ’89
President’s Award
“Dr. Wright has been someone I look up to as a mentor. She exemplifies what it means to be a life-long learner and is a true leader in the profession of dentistry. I can think of no-one more deserving.”
– Ronda Trotman, D.M.D. ’96, President, School of Dentistry Alumni Leadership Council
The OHSU School of Dentistry Alumni Association’s President’s Award recognizes one or more individuals who, in the opinion of the Council President, have made a substantial contribution to the growth of the dental profession, either at the personal, community or national level.
This year, Kimberly Wright, DMD ’89 is recognized for her commitment to, advocacy for and leadership in lifelong learning. Twice a recipient of the Oregon Dental Association’s Presidential Citation, Dr. Wright is among a small group of leaders who have paved a systematic pathway for Oregon dentists and others to fellowship and mastership levels in the Academy of General Dentistry. The AGD has recognized Dr. Wright with its award for national leadership, citing her exemplary contributions to the art and science of dentistry.
