Class of 2026 Steps Forward to Shape the Future of Dental Care
On the 18th of May, 160 students from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) received their degrees at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Of those, 129 earned Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees while 31 received advanced certificates in specialties ranging from pediatric dentistry to endodontics.
The ceremony opened with welcome remarks from Janine Fredericks-Younger, associate dean for graduate programs and associate dean for student affairs. Dean Cecile A. Feldman then shared three guiding principles: take pride in Rutgers, a place of discovery; be eager and willing to try something new, reminding the students that the best clinicians are lifelong learners; and find and pursue passion relentlessly.
“Whatever path awaits you next, wherever life may lead, carry forth the Rutgers spirit in every word and deed,” said Feldman. “With passion, pride, and perseverance shining strong and true, may the strength the school has given you light the way for you.”
Rutgers Health Provost Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly reinforced the theme of resilience and noted that Rutgers graduates develop through their rigorous training. She noted that the graduates had developed the kind of strength that transforms dentists into leaders, grounded in respect for human dignity and a commitment to science and evidence-based care.
Alumna and Rutgers Trustee Yanique Le-Cadre ’93’00 encouraged graduates to never stop learning and seek out people who can help them along their path. One way to do that is through organized dentistry. Both the President of the RSDM Alumni Association, Donald Lapine, and the President of the New Jersey Dental Association, Amit Vora, reminded students that they are ready to support graduates in their dental journeys.
Following the hooding ceremony, Dean Feldman awarded the Stanley S. Bergen Jr., M.D., Medal of Excellence to Alessandro M. Padovani. This recognition is given to one graduating student at each Rutgers Health School, who exemplifies exceptional scholarly achievements. A former ICU nurse, Padovani distinguished himself through academic excellence, leadership, and service. He earned the NJ Health Foundation’s EJI Scholarship, was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, and served as class vice president for four years. He will begin a general practice residency at Jersey Shore Medical Center.
The class then recited the dental oath, led by New Jersey Board of Dentistry President Nicholas DeRobertis—a reaffirmation of the commitment they first made at their White Coat Ceremony.
In closing, Class President Mujahid Asamarai reflected on the selectiveness of the school with a combined average acceptance rate of 3.7 percent for both traditional and internationally educated DMD programs, as well as its diversity. He listed, one by one, all 36 languages spoken at RSDM, in addition to English. He emphasized the class’s camaraderie and the sacrifices they made to attain their degrees.
“I want to share an inspirational quote,” from the Prophet Muhammad, he said. “If the final hour arrives while one of you is holding a sapling and it is possible to plant it, then plant it. … As you disperse into this world with your DMD, let us never lose sight of why we do this and who we do it for. Don’t let the world bring you down. Instead, pull the world up, little by little. And if the world feels like it's ending and you have that sapling in your hand, plant it with all the defiance and the vigor left within you. … Let us go change the world! One restoration at a time.”
