The CDA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the California Dental Association, invites CDA members and component dental society directors to nominate an active or retired licensed California dentist for the 2023 Humanitarian Award honoring the late Andrew Soderstrom, DDS.
The Foundation accepts nominations every year from April 1 to June 30 and may select one qualified individual to receive the award per nomination cycle.
What makes a dentist a humanitarian?
Every dentist likely knows a dentist who generously donates their time and service to help improve the oral health of individuals in their communities. What sets the “humanitarian dentist” apart?
Established in 2008, the Humanitarian Award recognizes California dentists for demonstrating a lifetime of volunteer commitment and leadership that have broadly and positively impacted oral health and improved the human condition.
Individuals whose actions have enabled the dental profession to respond more fully to the needs of individuals at the local, state, national or international level may also be honored.
The late Dr. Andrew Soderstrom, for whom the Humanitarian Award was named in 2021, received the award himself in 2015. The CDA past president co-founded the Foundation’s flagship program, CDA Cares, and continuously served the dental needs of children, regardless of their families’ economic situation. He was also recognized for a long-fought battle to fluoridate community water in his hometown of Modesto.
More recent recipients include the late Dr. Herbert Yee in 2018 and Dr. Lester Low in 2017. Biographies of all past recipients can be read on the Humanitarian Award nomination page.
Selection criteria and required supporting attachments
The Foundation asks nominators to submit several attachments with their online application, including a curriculum vitae or resume highlighting the nominee’s humanitarian contributions, one letter of support from an individual other than the nominator and other documentation to support the nominee’s achievement.
Among other ideals and attributes, the nominee should:
- Contribute significantly to alleviate human suffering and improving the quality of life and oral health of individuals served.
- Serve as an inspiration to the dental profession.
- Demonstrate a lifetime of outstanding humanitarian volunteer accomplishments that bring honor to the profession.
- Show selflessness in regard to direct personal or organizational gain or profit.
Read the nomination guidelines for complete details on eligibility, selection criteria and required attachments.
Recipients are typically presented with the Humanitarian Award at an appropriate CDA event and recognized in CDA and CDA Foundation publications in the fall. When funding is available, a monetary contribution may be given to the recipient’s nonprofit of choice.
Submit your nomination online by Friday, June 30. Learn more about other Foundation grants and awards that financially support dental professionals and community-based organizations that provide dental care to undeserved communities.