Penn Dental Medicine Pediatrics Resident Honored by American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Catherine Lee, D’18, GD’20
Philadelphia – Penn Dental Medicine pediatrics resident Catherine Lee (D’18, GD’20) has been honored by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) with its Resident Recognition Award. The AAPD Pediatric Dental Resident Committee developed the Award to recognize pediatric dental residents doing innovative and interesting activities in their training programs. Presented quarterly, winners are chosen based on activities during their residency that contribute to patient care, education, research, and/or community service. Innovation, time commitment, and significance of service to others are the primary factors considered in the selection process. Selection is made by members of the AAPD Resident Committee, New Dentist Committee, and Board Liaisons.
Having completed her DMD at Penn Dental Medicine prior to acceptance into the pediatric residency program, Dr. Lee has been an engaged student and leader within the School since joining the Penn Dental Medicine community in 2014.
Among her many activities, Dr. Lee has used her time as a resident to inspire other students and strengthen connections with alumni. She has helped the School’s predoctoral students learn about pediatric dentistry as a rewarding career path, organizing annual lectures by Penn alumni who are pediatric dentists. She has planned activities to honor retiring pediatric faculty and welcome alumni back to campus, and she helped raise the profile of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry by conceiving and producing the Division’s first alumni newsletter. In addition, Dr. Lee worked with the Office of Institutional Advancement to organize the first Penn Dental Medicine alumni reception at the annual American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry meeting in Chicago last May attended by over 40 graduates, many of whom had not connected with the School and each other in many years.
Introducing DMD students and residents to the power of advocacy, Dr. Lee participated in visits to congressional delegations in Washington to acquaint legislators with the crisis of oral health access disparities. She has advocated for patients and organized a book drive to make books available to send home with children coming to the School for care.
In addition, Dr. Lee has actively supported many community outreach activities at the School – from the annual oral cancer walk to the Give Kids Smiles Day.
“Dr. Lee is a fantastic pediatric dentist, and we are proud to call her one of our own,” says Dr. Betty Hajishengallis, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry at Penn Dental Medicine. “I have no doubt that her tremendous energy and commitment to improving the lives of children and building awareness about the need to improve access to care will follow Dr. Lee to whatever community is fortunate enough to recruit her. Our loss is that community’s gain, but I know she will remain involved with Penn Dental Medicine throughout her career, and for that we are most grateful.”
Upon graduation from her residency on June 24, Dr. Lee will be returning to Edmonton, Alberta, where she will be joining a practice and teaching at the University of Alberta.