Alumni Association Executive Committee

A message from Alumni Association president Mina Kim:

Dear Colleagues,

As your alumni association president, I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the dedication, excellence, and compassion each of you brings to our profession and to the communities you serve.

As a practicing dentist in midtown Manhattan, I personally experience how we find ourselves in a time of significant challenge. Across the country, workforce shortages are impacting both urban and rural areas, and complex insurance reimbursement models are making it harder than ever to deliver the kind of patient-centered care we all value. The cost of dental school education continues to rise, placing unprecedented burdens on our students and recent graduates.

In the face of these issues, our strength lies in community. Now, more than ever, we need to lean on one another—not only for support, but for innovation, collaboration, and shared purpose. The legacy of Columbia is built on a foundation of excellence, and we are called to uphold and strengthen that legacy for future generations of dental professionals.

The Alumni Association is committed to fostering these connections—through mentorship programs, continuing education opportunities, networking events, and support for current students and residents. We also plan to work closely with the school to ensure the success of our alumni. But we cannot do it without you.

I invite all of you to get involved. Share your expertise, offer guidance to students or reconnect with classmates. Whether you have time, resources, or simply a story to share, your engagement will make a meaningful difference.

Together, we can help shape the future of dentistry—rooted in clinical excellence, ethical care, and a strong, united Columbia community.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Mina Kim, DDS'10

Officers

Members
Lynda Asadourian, DDS'17
Jennifer Castro, DDS'09
Abraham Chahine, DDS'09
David Dane, DDS'87
Genevieve  Fernandes, DDS'96
Carlos Galvez, DDS'22
Edward Goldin, DDS'01
Keith Goldman, Ortho'16
Amy Kristina Herbert, DDS'12
Lois Jackson, DDS'77
Margot Jaffe, DDS'80
Jonathon Katz, DDS'24
Divya Khera, DDS'15
Michael Leifert, Ortho'04
Thomas Magnani, DDS'80
Jenny Mathews, DDS'00
Michelle Mirsky, DDS'77
Sydney Shapiro, DDS/MPH'21
Ewelina Sieka, DDS'16
Lydia Turchioe, DDS'22

Predoctoral Student Representatives
Kayla Thomsen, Class of 2027
Parisa Shahin, Class of 2028
Sherry (Xiaoyuan) Yang, Class of 2027
Matthew Yee, Class of 2026

Postdoctoral Student Representative
Brynn Gwartzman, DDS'25, Perio Resident Class of 2028