91成人导航

For their immeasurable impact at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and around the world, the Dugoni School Alumni Association recently awarded Patricia King 鈥�08, 鈥�09 and James Rolfe 鈥�68 with its highest award鈥攖he Medallion of Distinction.

King was a driving force behind the success of the International Dental Studies program launched in 1987. Rolfe, a Santa Barbara area dentist, has helped hundreds of thousands of Afghans receive dental care as founder of the Afghanistan Dental Relief Project. The awards were presented during the .听

Professor Emeritus Alan Budenz also was selected as a Medallion of Distinction honoree, but his award was deferred until he can attend the ceremony in-person in 2024.
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Patricia King 鈥渄efined humanism鈥�

For 28 years, King was 鈥渢he backbone鈥� of the Dugoni School鈥檚 International Dental Studies program鈥攕erving as mentor, confidant and teacher.

The program trains internationally educated dentists to practice in the United States. King started as program coordinator in 1990 and eventually became program director.

鈥淒r. King has truly defined humanism by her unparalleled support, care and love to the International Dental Studies students,鈥� adjunct faculty member and alumnus Amro Elkhatieb 鈥�16 wrote in her nomination letter. 鈥淪he strived to make the program better every day. She was always there when we needed guidance, a listening ear or even advice about our personal lives.鈥� 听

King worked tirelessly for students who had challenges with visa applications. Her expertise was sought by dental schools nationwide. 听

As an assistant professor she taught an intercultural communications and ethics course and was well-attuned to students鈥� diverse cultures and unique needs. She earned the dental school鈥檚 Helix Curriculum Innovation Award in 2017 for a project she piloted to improve students鈥� communication skills.听

鈥淪he quietly shepherded hundreds of students through the program,鈥� Associate Professor and alumna Lisa Itaya, 鈥�98, 鈥�99, 鈥�00, wrote in her nomination. 鈥淚ts success can be attributed to the foundation that Dr. King built embracing the diversity that our International Dental Studies students bring to the program.鈥澨�

King earned her master鈥檚 and doctorate in education from 91成人导航鈥檚 Benerd College. Though she retired in 2018, her impact continues to be felt. A scholarship fund was created in her honor by two members of the class of 2022. 听

James Rolfe鈥檚 care impacted a country听

More than 300,000 Afghans have received much needed dental care through the non-profit non-governmental organization Rolfe founded鈥攖he Afghanistan Dental Relief Project.

Along with a clinic that provides free services, he established training programs for dental hygienists, assistants and technicians. The nonprofit also trains practitioners, with a focus on recruiting women.听

鈥淒r. Rolfe has sacrificed his comfort, well being, career, and livelihood, so that thousands of people may receive basic treatments we take for granted,鈥� said Martin Kim, a periodontist and board member of the Afghanistan Dental Relief Project. 鈥淐ountless people with dental pain may turn to hashish or heroin as a desperate measure to alleviate their discomfort鈥擠r. Rolfe has in many cases prevented such tragedies.

鈥淗e has been an inspiration and role model to the local dentists, politicians and patients alike, in demonstrating the importance of being a good human being.鈥� 听

The huge undertaking, primarily funded by Rolfe, began in 2003 when he traveled to Afghanistan to treat children at an orphanage for boys. After treating one child, he would enlist that boy to help with the next child in line.听

鈥淚 saw that these kids were really smart and have a lot of abilities, but they don't even have shoes,鈥� Rolfe recalled. 鈥淪o I thought, 鈥業'm going to let these kids help me.鈥� And they worked really well as dental assistants.鈥�

Rolfe鈥檚 extraordinary efforts were recognized in 2010 when he received the U.S. National Award for Citizen Diplomacy.

Twenty years after its founding, Rolfe still actively works to expand the services offered by his nonprofit.

鈥淚 want to thank the dental school for giving me the skills that allowed me to do this,鈥� Rolfe said upon receiving the award.

At the age of 83, Rolfe continues to practice dentistry full-time in Santa Barbara.
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