The UW School of Dentistry Regional Initiatives in Dental Education program (RIDE) has established the Arthur C. DiMarco RIDE Leadership Award.
The award is given to one Eastern Washington University or UW faculty member, staff, student, or RIDE community preceptor or clinic administrator who exemplifies the outstanding dedication to dental education and expanding access to dental care in rural and underserved communities.
The UWSOD Office of Regional Affairs established the award ahead of EWU RIDE Associate Director Dr. Art DiMarco’s retirement, which will take place at the end of the calendar year. It celebrates Dr. DiMarco’s extraordinary contributions to dental education, honoring his lasting impact on the RIDE program, which stems all the way back to the program’s beginnings in 2006.
As one of the program’s founding leaders, Dr. DiMarco’s dedication has shaped RIDE into a nationally recognized model of innovation, collaboration and service. At the open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for RIDE’s new Oral Health Training Center, Dr. DiMarco was recognized.
“Dr. DiMarco set the bar for what a mentor should be,” said Dr. Patty Martin, RIDE Class of 2012. “His kindness, compassion, and optimism were a bright light through the first year of dental school. I always smile when his name comes up.”
“Patients always comment that I’m the first dentist who never had a problem getting them numb. Dr. Dimarco is who I always have, and still do, thank for that,” said Dr. Michael McKay, RIDE Class of 2016.
“Dr. DiMarco was my professor not once but twice for both the hygiene and dental programs,” said Dr. Nadia Grishin, RIDE Class of 2020. “His humility, brilliance and unwavering dedication to his students was inspiring and deeply personal. I will forever appreciate everything he did to help me get where I am today.”
The very first recipient of the Art DiMarco RIDE Leadership Award is Barbara Davis, the RIDE EWU Instructional Classroom Support Tech. Davis is a registered dental assistant and a pillar in the day-to-day lives of the RIDE students in Spokane. She was instrumental in designing, building and opening the new RIDE Simulation Lab.
Davis was also recognized at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Thank you, Barbara, for being the heart of our lab and our ‘school mom’ through the first whirlwind year of dental school,” said Gunnar Velikanje, RIDE Class of 2026.
“Your hard work, patience, and constant support made all the difference as we found our footing. We truly couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for everything you’ve done to guide, encourage and care for us along the way.”
Dr. Cheon Joo Yoon, EWU RIDE Director, and Dr. Shweta Puri, EWU RIDE Associate Director, will take over Dr. DiMarco’s responsibilities upon his retirement at the end of the year.