Scholarships for Dental Hygiene Students
Taline Dadian Infante, EdD, RDH Endowed Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the Dental School’s Office of Student Affairs and/or the Division of Dental Hygiene with preference given to students who meet the following criteria:
- Applicant has completed the first year of Dental Hygiene entry-level bachelor degree program
- Applicant has experience working inter-professionally, especially with those students who are training to be dentists, physicians, nurses, or health professionals as well as their faculty.
- Applicant shows an appreciation of life-long learning and
- Applicant’s GPA and financial need can also be taken into consideration when awarding the scholarship
BENEFACTOR BACKGROUND
Dr. Infante, known as Talley to friends and family, died on April 6, 2013 after a six-month illness. She was an associate professor and director of the Division of Dental Hygiene in the School of Dentistry at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
She was married to Anthony Infante, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of pediatrics at the UT Health Science Center.
Her husband and family have established a memorial fund for dental hygiene students in her honor.
Academic career
Dr. Infante earned her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene in 1978 from Loyola University and spent 11 years in private practice in the United States, Switzerland, France and South Africa. In 1991, she earned a master’s degree from Old Dominion University and entered the field of dental hygiene education. She earned her doctorate from Capella University in 2012.
She joined the Department of Dental Hygiene in 1994, while it was in the School of Health Professions. She was promoted to associate professor in 2003 and program director in 2005. In 2011, she was named interim chair of the department. When the program was moved to the Dental School in 2012 she became director of the Division of Dental Hygiene.
“Talley was an outstanding teacher, clinician, leader and colleague in the dental hygiene education community. Students and peers respected her caring, competent and creative approach to learning that stemmed from a deep commitment to excellence,” said Nita Wallace, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Health Professions and former chair of dental hygiene. “More importantly, she was a tremendous person and I feel that I was blessed the minute she came to work with me. I found her to be a wonderful colleague, true friend, confidante and fellow dog lover, as well. We all miss her but are committed to carrying on her legacy.”
Dental School Dean William Dodge, D.D.S., added, “The entire Dental School family is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Taline Infante. Talley was an exceptionally enthusiastic dental hygiene leader committed to providing education and training of the highest quality to her students. Her ability to create relationships and find common ground to advance our dental student and dental hygiene programs will be sorely missed. Talley was a friend to all and our very best wishes are extended to her family, who will miss her most.”
CANSECO FOUNDATION PRESIDENT’S ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ORAL HEALTH
Provide scholarships to students from the Mid Rio Grande area of Texas who are pursuing their professional education in Oral Health. (DS)
To apply for this and other scholarships, visit students.uthscsa.edu.
BENEFACTOR BACKGROUND
The Canseco Foundation was established in 1997 by the children of Dr. Francisco and Consuelo Canseco. The Foundation provides grant money in support of health care, education, and community services around the San Antonio, Laredo and South Texas.
The Canseco Foundation President’s Endowed Scholarship is for students in the pre-doctoral program, as well as those in dental hygiene, and are from the Mid Rio Grande area of Texas.
FRANCES P. PLUNKETT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarship support for dental hygiene student(s) at any level of the program who are members of the San Antonio Dental Hygienists Association and indicate intent to join the American Dental Hygienists Association upon graduation. Students must maintain a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA; demonstrate financial need; and demonstrate qualities of leadership, professional commitment, and have a positive approach toward becoming an oral health provider.
To apply for this and other scholarships, visit students.uthscsa.edu.
BENEFACTOR BACKGROUND
This is scholarship is name for dental hygienist Frances Plunkett. Mrs. Plunkett graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. Her mother, Mrs. Patricia Palmer-Hartley, established this scholarship in her daughter’s honor.
CHILDREN OF FALLEN HEROES SCHOLARSHIP ACT
A Pell-eligible student, whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death
A public safety officer as defined in in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b)
- An individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or chaplain;
- An employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who is performing official duties of the agency, if those official duties—
- are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and
- are determined by FEMA to be hazardous duties
A parent or guardian includes non-custodial parents, step-parents, and parents of independent students. In all cases, the parent/guardian status at the time of death is the qualifying eligibility criterion. This may be different from the current parent/guardian status.
The Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship requires documentation to validate that the student was less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. If you feel you are eligible for this scholarship, please email Gloria Salinas at salinasgg@uthscsa.edu for more details.