Missouri Educator Receives The Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award

Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, alongside premier sponsor Colgate and supporting sponsor Patterson Dental, is pleased to announce that Pamela R. Overman, RDH, MS, EdD, is the 2016 recipient of The Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor is presented annually to recognize the distinguished career of a worthy individual who has consistently and effectively contributed to the enrichment of the dental hygiene profession.

Overman has remained passionate about dental and dental hygiene education for more than 40 years. She is a professor and the associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry, where her teaching has been honored with many accolades. Overman is dedicated to furthering evidence-based decision-making, and fosters a passion for such research among her students and colleagues. She has been influential in changing the course of education in the UMKC dental and dental hygiene programs, while remaining committed to encouraging the next generation of dental hygienists through mentorship.

Named after its inaugural recipient and inspirational dental hygiene leader Esther M. Wilkins, BS, RDH, DMD, The Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award was first presented to its namesake in 2010. Subsequent award winners were: Maxine Alper Tishk, RDH, MS (2011); Gail N. Cross-Poline, RDH, MS (2012); Michele Leonardi Darby, BSDH, MS, and Margaret Walsh, RDH, MS, MA, EdD (2013); Juanita S. Wallace, RDH, PhD (2014); and JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD (2015). Overman was honored during an award ceremony on June 10, during the 93rd American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Annual Session in Pittsburgh

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. June 2016;14(06):10.