The University of Iowa College of Dentistry celebrated three dental alumni during its annual Alumni Reception on Sept. 13, 2024, at The Graduate Hotel in Iowa City.
Lisa Holst ('89 DDS), Kecia Leary ('04 DDS, '07 PEDO), and Zach Kouri ('03 DDS) were named the 2024 Alumnus of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Dental Service Recognition Awardee, respectively.
The annual weekend invited alumni from graduating classes ending in 4's and 9's to Iowa City. The weekend included Continuing Education courses, pregame social, game watch party, and the alumni reception.
Lisa Holst, 2024 Alumnus of the Year
Holst, a 1989 graduate from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, is a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and has been a member on the Iowa Dental Board since 2019. Holst was only 1 of 11 women in her dental class and felt pressure to excel due to challenges presented by community members and dentists who assumed dentistry was a hobby or part-time job. Nevertheless, she did excel and was the top dental student in her class.
After graduation, she moved around the country, continuing her education with a general practice residency in Connecticut and OMFS internship in Texas before coming back to Iowa. She worked in several family dental practices before opening her own practice in Knoxville, Iowa. Holst's strong leadership, dedication, and efforts to make dentistry easier for subsequent dentists makes her an ideal candidate to be the 2024 Dental Alumnus of the Year.
Kecia Leary, 2024 Dental Educator of the Year
Leary, a 2004 and 2007 graduate from the College, is a 2021 recipient of the Collegiate Teaching Award while serving as the clinical associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. In 2023, Leary was named the Associate Dean of Clinics for the college, overseeing all clinic operations from student clinics to the faculty general practice.
Leary's engagement in dentistry does not go unnoticed and her enthusiasm is infectious and brings out the best in every student, faculty, and staff member, and that makes her a great recipient for the 2024 Dental Educator of the Year.
Zach Kouri, 2024 Dental Service Recognition Awardee
Kouri, a 2003 graduate from the College of Dentistry, is a selfless volunteer within the Iowa Dental Association. From 2016-2019, he was the Des Moines District Trustee and in 2021, he was the IDA President.
He has served on several committees within the IDA and Iowa Dental Foundation and his true passion is the Iowa Mission of Mercy (IMOM), where he has served as the Clinic Chief since 2015. Now in its 15th year, IMOM would not be where it is today without tireless efforts to give his gift of dentistry back to Iowans. His strong desire to serve those who need it most makes him the perfect candidate to receive the 2024 Dental Service Recognition Award.
The College is taking submissions for 2025 Alumni Awards. If you know a University of Iowa College of Dentistry alumni from graduating years ending in 5s and 0s who you would like to be considered for an award, please contact Communications and Alumni Relations Manager Jack Rossi (jack-rossi@uiowa.edu) to submit a nomination.
