CDM Chapter of OKU Inducts New Members

The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU)—the national dental honor society — inducted 10 CDM students, two members of the faculty members, and a vice dean at its annual ceremony on May 7, 2024.

For students, induction to the society is recognition of broad achievement. Inductees are members of the senior class who have demonstrated not only exemplary scholarship, but also strength of character and leadership. Dr. John Grbic, the chapter’s president, noted that this year’s student inductees began their training under extraordinary circumstances. “This class spent the first year of dental school in unique circumstances because of the pandemic,” he said. “They were challenged and they rose to the challenge.”

The 2024 CDM student inductees were Kate Balatgek, who will be doing a general practice residency at NewYork-Presbyterian; Samantha Eyen, who will be doing a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital; Rea Madan, who will be doing a general practice residency at Harvard University; Adam Mucci, who will be doing an advanced education in general dentistry residency at Lackland Air Force Base; Nechama Rabinovitch, who will be doing a residency on orthodontics at New York University; Meredith Rogers, who will be doing a residency on orthodontics at the University of Rochester; Abrar Shamim, who will be doing a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Massachusetts General; Claudia Elena Soria, who will be going into private practice in Florida; Goldi Weiser, who will be doing a general practice residency at Bellevue Hospital; and Margaret Wodicka who will be doing a residency on orthodontics at the University of Washington.

Faculty inductees, who are inducted based on their “contribution to the art, science or literature of dentistry,” were Laila Akhlaghi, DDS, MD, assistant professor of dental medicine at CUMC Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and associate director of the general practice residency program, and Holly Shaw, DDS, assistant professor of dental medicine at CUMC Division of Operative Dentistry.

Honorary membership to OKU is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of dentistry.  The honorary inductee was Joseph Harney, CDM’s vice dean for finance and administration. Harney, who has served in a number of capacities at Columbia over the course of 22 years, is responsible for the financial management and administrative operations for CDM, including budget and finance; clinical revenue cycle; information technology; human resources; research administration; development; and communication.

“We were pleased to be able to recognize the efforts of all of the inductees,” said Grbic. “These students have demonstrated courage, judgment, integrity, and achievement, and we are confident that these attributes will continue to guide them to successful and fulfilling personal and professional lives. Our newly-inducted faculty are gifted educators, practitioners, and researchers. And Joe has strengthened our College by developing strategies and tactics that have helped us to leverage our resources and overcome our challenges.”

Omicron Kappa Upsilon was established in 1914 at Northwestern University Dental School to recognize students who distinguish themselves by high levels of scholarship. Epsilon Epsilon, the CDM chapter, was founded in 1934 and has more than 500 members in the categories of alumni, honorary, and faculty.