Columbia College of Dental Medicine ASDA Chapter Wins District Chapter of the Year

The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine chapter of the American Student Dental Association, District 2, was awarded Chapter of the Year and recognized with the Outstanding Outreach Initiatives Award at the ASDA District 2 meeting held in New York January 31 – February 2, 2025. ASDA District 2 comprises the six dental schools in New York and New Jersey: CDM; University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine; Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine; New York University College of Dentistry; Rutgers School of Dental Medicine; and Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College. Faculty mentors for the CDM chapter are Drs. Laureen Zubiaurre and John Grbic.

The president of CDM’s chapter, Genesis Seo, ‘26, says that the award recognizes the enormous growth the chapter has experienced in participation, in students becoming active in the chapter’s committees, in applications to attend conferences, and in interest in serving in leadership positions at the ASDA’s national, district and chapter levels. “There is a real sense of community and enthusiasm for ASDA’s mission,” Seo says.

Seo says she believes that the chapter’s broad range of events and initiatives in three main areas – community service, advocacy and education; and networking and fundraising – are responsible for the recognition that CDM has received this year.

Members of the CDM ASDA chapter were very active in the school’s Northern Manhattan community, engaging more than 700 children in fun, educational activities in collaboration with local organizations as a part of Uptown Games, a special event for children from Washington Heights, Inwood and Harlem, and participating in food service volunteering at Part of the Solution (POTS). The chapter also organized a virtual seminar for pre-dental students to offer guidance on choosing a dental school. Record-breaking fundraising allowed the chapter to support students attending conferences all over the country.

The Outstanding Outreach Initiatives Award recognized the extensive programming meant to promote inclusivity, collaboration, and pride in the institution. Events included a D1 Snack and Chat; a Halloween cookie decorating event; and a wellness paint night, meant to encourage self-care and artistic expression in a relaxing environment.

The chapter was awarded a 2024 Dentistry in the Community Outreach Grant and will use it to collaborate with the Columbia Harlem Health and Medical Partnership (CHHMP), a student-run clinic providing free, quality medical care to unhoused, uninsured, and underserved individuals in the West Harlem, to host an oral health screening/education event.

Three members of the chapter were individually recognized for their exceptional contributions to ASDA. Kiara Infante was recognized for her outstanding dedication and impact as the Give Kids a Smile committee chair at Columbia for the past two years. Kiara forged strong relationships with multiple feeder schools for our mobile clinics, where CDM students provide free dental care to underserved children. Through her leadership and commitment, she has established consistent and meaningful outreach to communities of children with poor dental hygiene, significantly advancing the school's mission to improve oral health equity.

Bree Zhang was recognized for her outstanding contributions to ASDA’s advocacy efforts both at Columbia and nationally. Bree actively promoted public health topics on her engaging Instagram page and participated in Lobby Day, during which students travel to Albany and Washington D.C. to advocate for health policies they care about, and Lessons in a Lunch Box, a national program to help educate children and their families about the importance of good oral health and meaningful dietary behaviors to help prevent tooth decay and other maladies.

Eddy Raad was recognized for his exceptional networking skills and transformative contributions to Columbia and District 2. Eddy has cultivated invaluable relationships with companies to foster collaborations that benefit students. His efforts have increased awareness of opportunities in areas like insurance and DSOs, providing students with crucial insights for their future. Additionally, Eddy has revitalized the chapter’s social events, boosting participation among D1s and D2s and creating a stronger sense of community.