The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) has awarded Erinne Kennedy, DMD,
MPH, MMSc the Paragon Award. The Paragon Award is the highest and most prestigious award that ASDA gives, recognizing an individual who has significantly contributed to the advancement of the rights, interests and welfare of dental students throughout their career. Dr. Kennedy is the first person to receive this award since 2021.
Dr. Kennedy was chosen to receive the Paragon Award after being nominated by two members of the 2025-26 ASDA Board of Trustees, and past Paragon Award recipient, Dr. Linda Niessen, who is the Founding Dean for the College of Dental Medicine at Kansas City University. “Dr. Kennedy has demonstrated outstanding and exceptional ability in terms of support for dental students and dental education, as well as being an advocate for students,” said Dr. Niessen.
Dr. Kennedy is noted as advocating for a future that is kind, caring and compassionate while teaching dental students to be the best versions of themselves. Her dedication to the innovation or dental education has been showcased in her development of a dental public health course for graduate students that now taught at 14 different universities throughout the US and Canada.
“The Paragon Award reflects ASDA’s deepest appreciation for leaders who invest in students and shape the future of dentistry through service and mentorship. Dr. Kennedy’s commitment to supporting dental students and advancing our profession makes this recognition especially meaningful,” said ASDA immediate past president, Payal Patel.
More information for the Paragon Award can be found at asdanet.org/paragon.
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The American Student Dental Association is the largest national organization that protects and advances the rights, interests and welfare of dental students. Representing more than 23,000 members, ASDA introduces students to lifelong involvement in organized dentistry and provides services, information, education, representation and advocacy. For more information, visit ASDAnet.org. Connect with ASDA on Instagram by following @DentalStudents.