New Dental Assistants Celebrate their Graduation from UI Health’s Mile Square Certificate Program

Posted on April 16, 2024
The six program graduates smiling and posing together in front of a backdrop of repeating UI Health logos
Program graduates Elizabeth Delgado, Lawanda Barksdale, Marquan Scott, Zhane Colvin, Natevia Green and Aryanna Santiago. Not pictured: Amani Jones.

On April 3, 2024, the UI Health Mile Square Health Center (MSHC) Dental Assistant Certificate Program held its fifth graduation ceremony recognizing the newest cohort of seven students who successfully completed the training. The celebration was held at the MSHC Auburn Gresham site, one of UI Health’s 11 Federally Qualified Health Centers, which is also the site for the training program. This dental assistant certificate program is offered nearly cost-free for students interested in pursuing a health professions education, especially in oral health and dentistry. Mile Square’s dental director and director of the certificate program Dr. Sodabeh “Sue” Etminan was joined at the ceremony by State Senator Willie Preston (IL, 16th District), and Lorne Greene, director of workforce and self-sufficiency programs at the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), along with leadership and representatives from UIC, community members, and friends and families of the graduates. Dr. Etminan is currently overseeing another cohort of eight students after receiving over 200 applications for this popular and successful program.

Photos from the Graduation Ceremony Heading link

  2. at left a women in a white sweater holding a microphone and speaking, at right a diverse audience listening
    Dental program director Dr. Sodabeh Etminen (ldeft) welcoming the gathered attendees, including family members of the graduate and other people from the Auburn Gresham community.
  3. four people in formal attire sitting in a row of seat and all smiling at the camera
    Dr. Michelle Mariscalco, UIC associate vice chancellor for health sciences academic affairs; Lorne green, director of Workforce at Chicago Housing Authority; Phyllis Grice MSN, RN, chief operating officer, Mile Square Health Center; and Dr. Phyllis Hayes, UIC assistant vice chancellor for external engagement

Learn More About the Certificate Program

Modified on May 13, 2024