Each year, UMKC and the School of Dentistry recognize outstanding alumnus or alumna for lifelong commitment to the profession, the community and the school. We were privileged to recognize Brenda Bohaty (Ph.D. '09) and Jo Ann Weatherwax (B.S.D.H. '06, M.S.D.H '12) as this year's honorees.

Brenda Bohaty (Ph.D. '09) is Chair of the UMKC School of Dentistry's Department of Pediatric Dentistry and concurrently the Director of the Residency Program in Pediatric Dentistry at the Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics in Kansas City, Missouri. During her nearly 35 years of service to the school, Bohaty has accomplished a long list of academic and research endeavors, including her instrumental role in initiating and running the Dental Clinic at Operation Breakthrough. This program allows children who attend day care at Operation Breakthrough to receive comprehensive dental care at no cost to their care providers. Bohaty also serves as an American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry representative on the Commission for Dental Accreditation Review Committee and has been appointed to the Review Committee for the National Commission on Dental Specialties. Bohaty is the Chair of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Graduate In-Service Examination Committee and is an expert consultant on the Council of Pre-Doctoral Education as well. She also serves on the Rinehart Foundation Board.

Jo Ann Weatherwax (B.S.D.H. '06, M.S.D.H. '12) served as the founding Dental Program Director for the Volusia County Health Department in Daytona Beach, Florida, and dedicated her career to helping solve the national issue of access to oral health-care services. Weatherwax, the first dental hygienist to serve as a dental director at a county health department in Florida, developed a clinical program, added an additional clinic to serve the western area of Volusia County and established a county-wide school sealant and oral health education program. Her dedication to the health department and safety net programs in Volusia County resulted in the delivery of oral health-care services to countless children and families. Along with her work in public health, Weatherwax has served in numerous leadership roles, including most recently as the president of the Florida Dental Hygiene Association.