Omicron Kappa Upsilon & Sigma Phi Alpha Annual Banquet

Awards and Honors

Omicron Kappa Upsilon Theta Chapter | Officers 2026 - 2027

President - Dr. Beau Meyer

President-Elect - Dr. Matthew Messina

Secretary-Treasurer - Dr. Scott Schricker

Audit Committee Chair - Dr. Daniel Claman

Convocation Committee Chair - TBD

Convocation Committee Co-Chair - TBD

Omicron Kappa Upsilon New Faculty Members

Dr. Courtney Jatana
Courtney Jatana, DDS, MS, FACS, is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. She earned her dental degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed her surgical residency and master’s degree at The Ohio State University. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and serves as a Diplomate and examiner for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In addition to her full-time academic appointment, she is a surgical attending at both The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Leonardo Nassani
Dr. Nassani is the Assistant Dean for Digital Dentistry and Advanced Technology and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from McGill University and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at Case Western Reserve University. He also holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Youngstown State University and an M.Sc. in Specialist Practice of Digital Dentistry from the University of Greater Manchester. Dr. Nassani currently holds multiple leadership roles within the Ohio Dental Association, the Columbus Dental Society, and the Quebec Academy of General Dentistry. In addition to his academic and professional service, he practices at the Ohio State Dental Faculty Practice in Columbus.

Omicron Kappa Upsilon New Alumni Members 

Taylor Beard - Oak Harbor, OH
Received her undergraduate degree from Ohio University and will be entering private practice in Shelby, North Carolina.

Abbey Brewer - Beachwood, OH
Received her undergraduate degree from University of Michigan and will be entering Pediatric Dental Residency at Children’s National Hospital.

Nicole Fleming – Canton, OH
Received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and will be entering Orthodontic Residency at The Ohio State University.

Kaitryn Franzmann –Hometown: Gahanna, OH
Received her undergraduate degree from Miami University and will be entering the AEGD Residency with Dayton VA.

Kaylee Gomez – Hometown: Olmsted Falls, OH
Received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and will be entering General Practice in Denver, Colorado.

Jori Meyer - Wapakoneta, OH
Received her undergraduate degree from Miami University will be entering private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Joe Morrow

Daniel Szarvas

Jacob Tuckerman - Hudson, OH
Received his undergraduate degree from Florida Southern College and will be entering Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Case Western Reserve University.

Josh Turner

Jessie Weidner - Pickerington, OH
Received her undergraduate degree from Miami University and will be entering Orthodontic Residency at The Ohio State University.

Nathaniel Wilhelm - Bowling Green, OH
Received his undergraduate degree from Ohio Northern University and will be entering Private Practice.

Student Guests

Dental Class of 2027

Brett Balle
Sophia Bernard
Nathan Chien
Hudson Davis
Summer Jento
Jake Jobe 
Grace Michel
Agata Plonski
Vince Sabato
Morgan Schmitmeyer
Matthew  Siefker
Alex Zysik

Dental Class of 2028

Gillian Beckman
Olivia Brenner
Evan Dean
Asa Fitzpatrick
Gillian Krupp
Owen Lepsky
Taylor Martinez
Sarah Muhanna
Cindy Ren
Peter Tsatalis
Emily Williams
Danny Xiao

Omicron Kappa Upsilon Awards

The William S. Kramer Award of Excellence

presented to Mr. Brett Balle

This award is to honor a rising junior dental student at each dental school who has demonstrated scholarship, character and the potential promise for advancement of dentistry and service to humanity, as shown by Dr. William S. Kramer’s dedication to his profession and the principles and ideals of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Kramer was an officer of the Supreme Chapter for 17 years.

The Orville E. Russell Award of Excellence

presented to Ms. Taylor Martinez

This award is to honor a rising sophomore dental student at The Ohio State University who has demonstrated scholarship, character and the potential promise for advancement of dentistry and service to humanity, as shown by Dr. Orville E. Russell’s dedication to his profession and the principles and ideals of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Russell was an officer of Theta Chapter for 17 years.

Guest Speaker - Dr. TJ Imm

Dr. TJ Imm is a general dentist in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Imm graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where he was inducted as a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon in 2010. After dental school, Dr. Imm completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency at the University of Florida-Seminole. While in residency, Dr. Imm and his co-residents were fortunate enough to learn under incredible clinicians from both the Dawson Academy and Pankey Institute along with their esteemed residency director, Dr. Thomas Porter.

Following residency, Dr. Imm began private practice, which left him wanting even more education in comprehensive dentistry. In 2016, he completed the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre International Mini-Residency, and in 2017, he started his journey with Spear Education, where he has served as Visiting Faculty since 2018.

In his private practice, Dr. Imm focuses on comprehensive dentistry for all ages, where he most enjoys working with other providers in an interdisciplinary care team.

When he’s not practicing, Dr. Imm is spending time with his wife, Melissa and their three children, Keegan, Gavin & Elise. Together, they love watching the kids’ various sporting events, taking in a game of one of Columbus’ many teams, and attending concerts of their favorite bands.

Sigma Phi Alpha Zeta Chapter | Officers 2026 – 2027

President - Beth Chartier
President elect - Irina Novopoltseva
Treasurer - Denise Kissell
Secretary - Bridget Wright

Inductees

Seniors

Libby Dockery - Powell, OH
Graduating: Summa Cum Laude
Post Graduation: Private practice, Columbus, OH
Awards: Consuelo Wise award
Leadership: SADHA President

Natalie Dininger - Mansfield, OH
Graduating: Summa Cum Laude
Post Graduation: Private practice, Columbus, OH
Leadership: DH Curriculum Committee

Nancy Lin - Mt Gilead, OH
Graduating: Summa Cum Laude
Post Graduation: Private practice, Columbus, OH
Leadership: Alternate Delegate SADHA

Masters Student inductee

Ms. Jennifer Barkans - Toronto, Canada

Juniors

Nora Sheridan
Clare Johnson
Mia Hathaway

Faculty inductee

Jamie Bishop RDH, BSDH, MSDH

Jamie Bishop is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in the Department of Dental Hygiene. She is a 2008 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene program. Additionally, she received her Master of Dental Hygiene degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2022. Professionally, Jamie spent most of her career practicing clinical dental hygiene in general and periodontal offices in central Ohio. She joined the college as a part-time faculty member in January 2020 and transitioned to full-time in May 2024. In 2021, she was nominated and awarded the Clinical Faculty Award by the dental hygiene class of 2022.

Honorary inductee

Ms. Margo Coates

Consuelo Wise Award

Libby Dockery