Gator Dentists continue to lead the way in all facets of life, and we are proud to recognize the achievements of our alumni. Have a story or accomplishment you want featured? Submit your spotlight here or email us at alumniandfriends@dental.ufl.edu.
Monique Belin & ArNelle Wright
Two UF Alums Receive ADA 10 Under 10 Recognition
They were standouts in dental school and we’re not surprised to see them rising up at the national level. Go Gator Dentists!
Celebrating The Class of 1976 and 2026
A Half-Century of Gator Dentists, and Counting
UF College of Dentistry celebrates Class of 2026 Commencement while honoring the Charter Class that started it all.
Monique Belin & Dustin Pfundheller
2026 40 Gators Under 40
Dr. Belin and Dr. Pfundheller were recognized by the University of Florida in June for their accomplishments in the field of dentistry as young alumni.
2026
Florida Dental Association Awards
Four UFCD alumni were recognized with the following FDA awards during the 2026 Florida Dental Convention:
Dental Student Award – Brook Cary, DMD ’26
Public Service Award – Kerwin Scott, MS ’23
Dentist of the Year – Jeff Ottley, DMD ’98
J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Service Award – Rudy Liddell, DMD ’82
Carlos A. Bertot Appointed President of the AAPD
In May, Carlos A. Bertot, DMD ’92 was appointed president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) for 2026-2027.
Gator 100: Canepa Dentistry
Canepa Dentistry, owned by Colt Canepa, DMD ’19, was recognized as one of the fastest growing Gator-owned businesses in 2026.
Danielle Freburg-Hoffmeister Appointed OMFS Associate Chair
Dr. Freburg-Hoffmeister completed the UFCD OMFS program in 2014 and stayed on as faculty, being promoted to clinical associate professor in July 2024 and appointed to associate chair in April 2026.
2025
Florida Dental Association Awards
Three UFCD alumni were recognized with the following FDA awards during the 2025 Florida Dental Convention:
New Dental Leader Award – Monique Belin, DMD ’17, MS ’19
Special Recognition Award – Tom Brown, DMD ’08
President’s Award – Jeff Ottley, DMD ’98
Gator 100: Inverness Endodontics
Inverness Endodontics, owned by Monique Belin, DMD ’17, MS ’19 was recognized as one of the fastest growing Gator-owned businesses of 2025.
40 Gators Under 40: Angie McNeight
Angie McNeight, DMD ’13, MS ’16 was recognized by the University of Florida for her achievements in the field of dentistry and orthodontics as a young alumna.
Paul Benjamin Profiled in NDPBRN Member Spotlight
Paul Benjamin, DMD ’76 was featured in the 2025 issue of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.
2024
Toni-Anne Gordon Accepts 2024-2025 Presidency of the FAGD
Toni-Anne Gordon, DMD ’16 became President of the Florida Academy of General Dentistry after being a member for over 10 years.
Gregory Feldman Earns Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition from the AGD
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 40,000 general dentists dedicated to professional excellence through the pursuit of continuing education, was pleased to announce that Gregory M. Feldman, DMD ’14, MAGD, of Gainesville, Florida, had earned the 2024 Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition for his commitment to lifelong learning, volunteering his services to communities in need, mentoring associates and new dentists, and participating in organized dentistry.
Jeffrey Ottley Sworn in as 2024-2025 President of the FDA
The Florida Dental Association (FDA) was proud to announce Jeff Ottley, DMD ’98 as the 2024-2025 president.
Florida Dental Association Awards
J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Service Award – Jolene Paramore, DMD ’88
Leadership Award – Gregory Chace, DMD ’06
40 Gators Under 40: ArNelle Wright
ArNelle Wright, DMD ’17 was recognized by the University of Florida for her achievements in the field of dentistry as a young alumna.
2023
Gregory Feldman Receives PFA Fellowship
The Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA) is an international dental honor organization that recognizes leaders and future leaders in the profession. Founded in 1936, the PFA has over 7,000 Fellows around the world. The honor of Fellowship is conferred on those dentists who have demonstrated that they have ‘served’ and/or have great potential for service. Fellowship is extended to fewer than 3% of dentists internationally whom colleagues have recognized as the best.
Greg Feldman, DMD ’14 was inducted as a new Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Eighteen honorees from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky were recognized in January 2023. Dr. Feldman is one of only two Gainesville general dentists in private practice to have their Fellowship in the PFA.
Class of 1997 Celebrates 25th Reunion
“The CHI Class of 1997 celebrated their 25th reunion on the weekend of June 18th at the Hutchinson Shores Resort on Jensen Beach, Florida.
Over 30 former classmates attended with spouses and significant others to reconnect by the pool, on the beach, and ultimately at the home of Jenny and Ryan Askeland, DMD ’98 who opened up their home after plans fell through with a sunset cruise.
The furthest to travel were Lance Godley, DMD ’97 from Kansas City, MO and Roxzanne Amos, DMD ’97 from Virginia Beach, VA. At age 88, class advisor Lawrence “Larry” Clark made the trek from Gainesville, FL to celebrate with the class.
Dr. Clark has been an integral part of our lives since taking on our class as advisor having us over for pool parties, Christmas parties and get-togethers during dental school, and has remained close to our class since. A terrific time was had by all, and we are already looking forward to our next reunion!” – Peter G. Lemieux, DMD ’97
2022
Jolene Paramore Receives Excellence in Action for Dental Health Award
Jolene Paramore, DMD ’88 is the recipient of the first Excellence in Action for Dental Health Award from the ADA Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention.
2021
40 Gators Under 40: Gregory Feldman
Gregory Feldman, DMD ’14 was recognized by the University of Florida for his achievements in the field of general dentistry as a young alumnus.
2020
40 Gators Under 40: Sundeep Rawal
Sundeep Rawal, DMD ’06 was recognized by the University of Florida for his achievements in the field of dentistry and prosthodontics as a young alumnus.
2018
“Incisal Edge” 40 Under 40: Gregory Feldman
Gregory Feldman, DMD ’14 was recognized by Incisal Edge magazine as one of the top 40 clinicians under 40 in the U.S. in September.
Jolene Paramore Sworn in as 2018-2019 FDA President
The Florida Dental Association (FDA) was proud to announce Jolene Paramore, DMD ’88 as the 2018-2019 president. She is the second woman in FDA history to hold the position.
Stephen Obeng and Jenna Shuman Announce Their Engagement
Stephen Obeng, DMD ’16 and Jenna Shuman, DMD ’19 started dating in dental school in 2016, really getting to know each other during a long conversation in the Sim Lab. In January 2018, he surprised her by asking her to marry him at Tomoka State Park in Florida.
Both of them light up a room with their smiles and kindness, but on this very special day, their smiles were even more joyful than usual. We wish them the best and are quite happy that the college gets to play an important part in the history of their love and life together. Congratulations to Jenna and Stephen!
2017
Mikey Yuan Starts OMFS Rotations at Emory University
Mikey Yuan, DMD ’15 is one of many new graduates who opt for immediate specialized training. Dr. Yuan is in his second year of a four-year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He just completed trauma surgery training and began a rotation in surgical ICU on March 1. “It’s been very rewarding and also very interesting coming to a program that has no dental school,” Yuan said.
His residency program is part of the Department of General Surgery in the School of Medicine where he and his fellow OMFS residents are the only ones with previous extensive training on the oral cavity. He said that, because they are the only dental trained people in the system, they get called for a wide range of patient issues, from children losing their permanent teeth and need them splint backed together to infections to dentoalveolar pathology to maxillofacial trauma.
“It’s been pretty busy covering five hospitals and six emergency rooms while on OMFS call but well worth it. The knowledge and hand skills developed at UFCD really helped put me in a good starting position for this residency,” he said.
Despite enjoying his experience in Georgia there’s no chance that Dr. Yuan will be swayed from an all-out love for his Florida Gators. His favorite surgical cap is orange and blue with a UF logo, and he chomps at Bulldog fans whether or not there are other Gators around to back him up.
W. Adrian Lovell III Life Update
W. Adrian Lovell III, DMD ’10 left Gainesville after earning his docorate and headed for a pediatric residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Birmingham is where he stayed, opening a pediatric dentistry office in May 2015, Lovell Pediatric Dentistry. He also works at a clinic in an underserved area of the community and as an adjunct faculty member at UAB.
Dr. Lovell is married to Lauren, who is from the Birmingham area, and together they are raising 1.5 children (their son, Adrian, and another child on the way!) and their dog, Gracie.
Gracie is a certified therapy dog who loves making friends of all ages and she goes with work with Dr. Lovell, helping patients feel comfortable while they’re at the dentist.
Many of you may remember Adrian’s signature bow ties and will be happy to know that they’re still his signature!
2016
John Gammichia Honors Veterans in “Operation Bright Smiles”
On November 11, Veteran’s Day, John Gammichia, DMD ’95, honored veterans in a truly special way by treating local veterans free of charge at his Apopka, Florida, dental center from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dubbed “Operation Bright Smiles,” this true community event was supported by Dr. Gammichia’s staff as well as 11 other dentists– Gator Dentists Luis Acosta, DMD ’98 and Judy Mejido, DMD ’93 among them– two oral surgeons and four hygienists as well as 15 additional volunteers. The laboratory that Dr. Gammichia works with donated some partials and dentures free of charge as well.
A local men’s club provided free BBQ, stylists from a local hair salon cut hair for free and a DJ entertained the crowd waiting for services. It is a testament to the need in the community that a line began to form the morning of the event at 4 a.m. with people seeking care; the dental center had to stop taking names at 9:30 a.m. By the end of the day, volunteers had provided oral health care services to 103 veterans in need.
Dr. Gammichia has practiced dentistry in Apopka with his father for over 16 years. He and his wife, Hilda, have four sons — Luke, Madison, Noah and David. He is active at his church Orangewood Presbyterian, where he has served as a deacon since 2005. He gave up playing basketball in 2007 after breaking his wrist, took up running and has since completed four marathons. He remains, however, a devoted basketball fan and is a Gator Men’s Basketball season ticket holder and enjoys watching all Gator sports.
Ashley (Orchard) Hoders Life Update
Ashley Hoders, DMD ’07 has spent most of the years since graduating from dental school working on furthering her education. After she earned her dental degree, she completed advanced training in general dentistry at the Baltimore College of Dentistry in Maryland. She practiced general dentistry for a couple of years in Maryland and then returned to school for post-graduate training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where she became the sixth graduate and first woman to complete this dual specialty program, receiving certificates in Prosthodontics and Periodontology, as well as an MSD degree.
She recently became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. She is currently a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontics, American Academy of Periodontology, and the American Dental Association. She has published in the areas of dental implants, esthetic dentistry, and women’s health. Dr. Hoders joined Dr. Jim Janakievski in private practice in Tacoma, Washington.
Monet Ducksworth Awarded Outstanding Community Health Center Dentist of the Year
In June, Monet Ducksworth, DMD ’11 received the Outstanding Community Health Center Dentist of the Year Award from the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association. The award is in recognition of her work with the Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc., at Hattiesburg Community Dental Center, where she’s worked since graduating from the UF College of Dentistry. She and her husband, Julius Ducksworth, are raising two sons, Donovan, 6, and Logan, 2.
James Wilson Voted President Elect of the FADP
James Wilson, DMD ’93 continued his dental education by following up with a fellowship in oral and maxillofacial surgery, an AEGD and a periodontics residency. Today he has a periodontology practice in Tampa where he and his wife, Casey, are raising their sons Palmer (8), Justice (11), Chancellor (12) and Nick (18). He recently completed his sixth year serving as a trustee for the American Academy of Periodontology and is president-elect of the Florida Academy of Dental Practice (FADP) Administration.
Diane Piper-Hilton Life Update
Diane Piper-Hilton, DMD ’05, was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Fla., and received her bachelor’s in microbiology and cell science and a minor in chemistry from the University of Florida. While working towards a master’s degree at the University of South Florida, she taught marine biology and leadership skills at Largo High School.
In 2001, Piper-Hilton decided to return to UF for dental school, earning her doctor of dental medicine degree here in 2005.“Dental school taught me not only career skills but life lessons,” Piper-Hilton said. “It started with my interview with the college’s former dean Dr. Terri Dolan and the Admissions Committee. They asked me, ‘What was the last book you read?’ and I said it was a John Grisham novel. Dr. Dolan mentioned she was currently reading a Grisham novel. After she mentioned the title, I knew the book wasn’t by John Grisham and I suggested this to her in the interview. In hindsight, it might have been a mistake to correct the dean, but Dr. Dolan pulled the book from her desk and found that I was correct. This taught me not to be afraid of speaking up when something seems incorrect.
Piper-Hilton won many awards and honors as a dental student including the Student Leadership Award in 2005 and the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 2012.
“My time at the UF College of Dentistry allows me to lead the life I have today. I could not be more thankful for the education, friendships, and personal growth that I experienced in my four years at the college. I support the UF College of Dentistry so that the future generations of Gator Dentists can have the same or an even better experience than I had in dental school,” she said.
In 2013, Piper-Hilton and her husband, Jeffrey, made a bequest gift to the college with the purpose of fulfilling D.M.D. student life needs.
She said, “We want the gift to fulfill any needs that the students may have…anything from scholarships to renovations. We simply want to have a positive impact on the students at the college.”
Bequest gifts amongst young alumni are uncommon, but not unheard of within the college. Piper-Hilton says she knew that she and her husband wanted to do their part to support the college and the future of dentistry, but as a younger graduate, the means are not readily available. They chose a bequest knowing that their goal will be met later in life.
“I believe that everyone can have a positive impact on the next generation of dental professionals by mentoring students and supporting education through annual fund gifts or planned giving. Also, being active in organized and community dentistry creates a stronger voice for issues that will impact the next generation. As a young alumnus, I am still establishing myself and I may not be able to make much of an impact as an individual. But if everyone is involved; we can maintain the standard of excellence within the college, the profession, and the level of care within the state. And we can eventually truly ‘have it all,’ ” she said.
2013
Brian Rask Receives Outstanding Young Alumni Award from UF
Brian Rask, DMD ’04 was recognized by the University of Florida as a distinguished young alumnus under the age of 35.