Two Penn Dental Medicine Students Elected to National Leadership Posts in ASDA

Philadelphia – The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) has announced the inauguration of its 2024-2025 Executive Committee and Board of Trustees with two Penn Dental Medicine students securing key national leadership positions. They were chosen by the ASDA House of Delegates, which represents 70 dental schools across the United States.

Samarth Setru (D’25) assumes the role of ASDA President for the 2024-2025 term, while Parker Norman (D’25) has been elected as ASDA’s Speaker of the House. In expressing his sentiments about the collective strength of ASDA, Setru emphasizes, “Every ASDA member has a powerful voice, and together, 23,000 voices nationwide make us the strongest student-run organization in the country. Moreover, we are very comprehensive, with programming related to advocacy, community outreach; mentorship; wellness; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

Setru most recently served as ASDA’s District 3 trustee. In his capacity as ASDA President, Setru will spearhead the development and execution of ASDA’s strategic plan and provide approval for the annual budget. Additionally, he will assume responsibility for managing ASDA’s agenda and overseeing business between board meetings. He also has a special interest in health policy research, temporomandibular disorders research, and orthodontics.

In her role as Speaker of the House, Parker Norman will preside over all House meetings, delivering guidance on rules and procedures. Her responsibilities extend to informing delegates and members about the resolution process. Norman currently serves as Vice-President of the ASDA chapter at Penn Dental Medicine and recently served on ASDA’s National Council on Advocacy as Legislative Coordinator for Districts 1-3.

“I feel very honored and privileged to have been elected as Speaker of the House. ASDA has given me my voice,” says Norman. “It has empowered me to be an advocate for myself, my patients, and other dental students. I am eager to give back to the organization through this role and help ensure all voices are heard and that anybody can be an advocate.”

Remarkably, both Norman and Setru are concurrently pursuing their master’s in law degrees at Penn Cary Law, underscoring their commitment to academic excellence and multifaceted contributions to their respective fields.