Five Students Earn Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation Scholarships

Midwestern University in partnership with the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of a scholarship intended to foster student body diversity and extend opportunities for healthcare students from underrepresented minority groups. Five dental medicine students — Linda Adannaya Benson, Gabriel Fernandez, Nixon Deleon Garcia, Jonathan Parker, and Iliana Karina Ramirez — were awarded a Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation Diversity Admissions Scholarship to attend Midwestern University’s College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI).

“We want to remove barriers to care and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need,” said Lora Vitek, executive director of Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation. “By supporting young dental professionals at Midwestern University through these scholarships, we not only are working to create more inclusivity and equity in healthcare access for patients, but also providing opportunities to deserving students who share our mission to improve oral health and create more resilient communities.”

The scholarship is open to incoming first-year CDMI students from underrepresented minority groups as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Awards are based on academic performance, commitment to diversity, leadership, community service, and financial need. Consideration is also given to applicants who are first-generation college students.

Scholarship recipient Linda Adannaya Benson hails from Brooklyn, New York, and has over 20,000 hours of experience as a registered dental hygienist in public health dentistry. She has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable populations, including pediatric and geriatric patients. Linda holds a Master of Medical Science in Biomedical Sciences from Rutgers University, an Associate of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from New York University, and an Associate of Science in Liberal Studies from Monroe Community College. She is also pursuing an online Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree from Midwestern University to enhance her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.

Gabriel Fernandez, a first-generation college graduate from Atlanta, Georgia, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). With more than 14,000 hours of dental experience as a lead orthodontics assistant across two practices, Gabriel has honed his expertise in the field. Before attending Midwestern University, he was awarded the HOPE Scholarship, a merit-based program for eligible students in Georgia, and consistently excelled academically, earning a place on the dean’s list at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). Gabriel is deeply involved in his community, volunteering through the Pre-Dental Club at GGC in outreach events at Chamblee Orthodontics and local schools to promote oral health. He also participated in Dental Town’s Day of Caring, providing free dental care to those in need.

Nixon Deleon Garcia, a first-generation college graduate from Wyoming, Michigan, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and an Associate of Arts in Health Science degree from Grand Rapids Community College. He was a recipient of the BUILD Scholars Program, a fully funded National Institute of Health (NIH) research scholarship at UDM, which allowed him to conduct research in pancreatic cancer at Karmanos Cancer Institute and in microbiology at the UDM School of Dentistry. Nixon was also awarded the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and was the co-founder and president of the Helping Hand Organization, a university group aimed at encouraging student leadership through community service. Nixon has more than 1,800 hours of experience as a dental assistant in a family practice.

Jonathan Parker, a first-generation college graduate from Florissant, Missouri, earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Certificate from the University of Iowa. While balancing academics, he played as a receiver on the Iowa football team and was named Student of the Week. Off the field, he participated in the Minority Focus Group and gained over 4,000 hours of hands-on experience as a dental assistant, working on treatment planning, sterilization, and assisting with procedures. Jonathan also volunteered with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, tutoring kids, leading middle school leadership programs, and preparing meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House.

Iliana Ramirez, a first-generation college graduate from Chicago, Illinois, earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Dominican University and a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University. With over 5,000 hours of experience as a dental assistant, she has worked in a family dental practice and gained specialized knowledge as an endodontic assistant. Most recently, Iliana has contributed to education as a bilingual paraprofessional at the JEH Early Childhood Center, where she facilitates the academic success of students with special needs and collaborates with staff to implement their Individualized Education Program objectives.

The five students selected for the scholarship all began their Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree at the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois on the Downers Grove Campus this fall. They will graduate in 2028 following four years of rigorous coursework and clinical experience. Midwestern University’s CDMI offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program, combining academic coursework, preclinical simulations, clinical practice, and community rotations. The University is honored to partner with Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, which focuses on improving health and well-being across the state.