Dr. James E. Newman of the Department of Restorative Dentistry has been named as the 2026 recipient of the School of Dentistry’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award. The award is part of the UW Health Sciences Center’s and UW Medicine’s annual celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of serving those in need.
Dr. Newman was selected for his consistent and empathetic presence at the School of Dentistry’s volunteer clinical outreach activities, which focus on the oral health needs of the most vulnerable in our community. Dr. Newman not only supervises and instructs dental students who are delivering care; he also mentors and models the principles of consistent community service.
“It is an enormous honor to receive an award named after an individual who gave his life in support of a cause that he felt was right,” said Dr. Newman on what receiving the MLK Community Service Award means to him. “I remember his life, and sadly his death.”
Dr. Newman’s commitment to service and to our community is well documented. He was awarded the Academy of General Dentistry’s Lifetime Learning and Service Recognition Award in 2020, as well as the Bruce R. Rothwell Teaching Award, the School of Dentistry’s highest faculty honor.
He is also beloved by his students, who have selected him to participate in multiple White Coat and graduation ceremonies over his career. “Students in the School of Dentistry know that Dr. Newman will champion these person-centered volunteer efforts alongside them because of their shared commitment to improving the human condition,” he 2025-26 MLK Planning Committee.
“You feel better when you serve others,” noted Dr. Newman. “Call it a ‘helper’s high’. By making your community better, you improve the quality of life for everyone who lives around you. Also, the quality of the community that you call home is a reflection upon yourself.”
UW Medicine and UW Health Sciences recognized awardees at the 25th annual MLK Jr. Celebration event on Thursday, Jan. 15. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Mission Possible: Building Community – Together We Rise.” Recipients are recognized from each of the six UW health sciences schools, UW Medical Center, UWMC – Northwest, UW Primary Care and Harborview Medical Center, who have dedicated themselves to lives of service, justice and equity. A single Distinguished Service Award is also given to a member or group within the greater community.
For Dr. Newman, the award further motivates him to continue volunteering his time and expertise within the UW community. “[This award] indicates that my contributions are important enough to be recognized,” he said. “But people have said this on many occasions — it’s what you do after receiving an award that is most important.”