Recipient of Alla J. Wheeler Award Announced

Mary Leona Yau, AAS, a May graduate of New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry’s Associate in Applied Science Degree Program in Dental Hygiene, is the recipient of the eighth annual Alla J. Wheeler Ethics and Professionalism Award sponsored by Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. Voted on by members of the dental hygiene class, Yau was chosen for her dedication to her patients and her encouragement of her classmates to do their best.

“It was just a few hours after my 3-year-old son’s tonsillectomy when my colleagues texted me the good news that I was chosen for the Alla J. Wheeler Memorial Award for Ethics and Professionalism. Wow! I am so elated, honored, and, at the same time, humbled by this award. It is totally unexpected. But given my situation with my son, I feel so encouraged that I learned about receiving this prestigious award while on ‘mommy duty.’ With God’s help, all things are made possible,” Yau comments.

A foreign-trained dentist, Yau is currently looking for a clinical dental hygiene position. She is also planning to continue her education with the goal of becoming a licensed dentist in New York.

Supported by Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, this award is presented to a graduating dental hygiene student who has demonstrated high levels of professionalism and ethics. This peer-nominated award commemorates Alla J. Wheeler, RDH, MPA, a clinical assistant professor of dental hygiene at NYU and a Dimensions’ Peer Review Panel member and contributor, who passed away from cancer in June 2010.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. July/August 2019;17(7):10.