University of IL at Chicago College of Dentistry Students Jahedi, Mehta Named Schweitzer Fellow

CHICAGO - May 19, 2013 - PRLog -- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry Students Somayeh Jahedi and Nisha Mehta have been selected for prestigious Schweitzer Fellowships.

         The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program was founded in 1996. The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is dedicated to helping develop methods for future professionals to find solutions to unmet health needs. Students in graduate programs may submit a written application with references. The applicants must interview with a panel of three members from the Fellowship search committee.

         Jahedi’s project is to expand access to dental care for special needs individuals at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation-Roosevelt by coordinating a service event in which dental students will provide oral health instruction and nutritional counseling for ICRE-R students and their caretakers, while dentists provide oral health care.

         "As future dental professionals, we have a life-long responsibility to provide optimal patient care for members of the communities in which we serve,” Jahedi said. “My hope is that by raising awareness about the underserved special needs population, more Chicago-area dental students and professionals will feel comfortable in providing care for these patients in their own practices."

         Mehta’s project will aim to develop a program to improve the oral health status of children with lifelong medical conditions. These can include: chronic medical illnesses, developmental disabilities, and special needs. This project will be implemented at the La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

“The program will focus on educating and training primary care providers, hospital staff, and children on the importance of good oral hygiene and maintaining optimal oral health,” Mehta explained.

For more information about the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program, call (312) 372-4292, ext. 24.

(News release written by Lucia Gonzalez.)

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry is celebrating its 100th year as a college of the University of Illinois in 2013 with special events throughout the year under the theme “A Proud Past, A Brilliant Future.”