Tufts Dental Students Honored with Inaugural Dr. Amit Sachdeo Award for Community Service and Outreach
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine is proud to recognize Raphael Da Silva Gomes, Franceska Ademi, and Shiva Nayerain Jazi as recipients of the Dr. Amit Sachdeo Award for Community Service and Outreach in Dentistry. This award honors students whose work reflects an exceptional commitment to service, equity, compassion, and leadership in advancing oral health for underserved communities. The recipients were selected based on deeply moving impact statements that demonstrated a clear philosophy of service and a shared belief that dentistry extends far beyond the walls of the clinic.
Franceska Ademi was recognized for her unwavering dedication to improving access to oral health education and care for children. Her efforts include educating students in public schools, providing screenings and guidance in foster care homes, and advocating for preventive care as a foundation for lifelong health. Her vision to incorporate free dental care and oral hygiene resources for underserved children into her future practice exemplifies her belief that dentistry is a powerful platform for meaningful and lasting community impact.
Shiva Nayerain Jazi was honored for a lifelong record of service marked by remarkable scope and compassion. Her work in underserved rural communities, leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and co-founding of a nonprofit organization supporting children with cancer highlight her resilience and commitment to humanitarian care. Since coming to the United States, she has continued her service through initiatives such as feeding the homeless, promoting cancer prevention, and participating in Give Kids a Smile programs—demonstrating her conviction that access to oral health care is a fundamental human right.
Raphael Da Silva Gomes was recognized for his strong commitment to community engagement, professionalism, and service-oriented leadership. His dedication and contributions played an important role in making the inaugural selection process both highly competitive and inspiring, reflecting the values at the core of the Dr. Amit Sachdeo Award.
Collectively, these students embody the spirit of the award: leadership through action, service beyond the clinic, and a genuine desire to improve access to care for those most in need. Their work represents the very best of Tufts Dental Medicine and the future of the dental profession.
Congratulations to Raphael Da Silva Gomes, Franceska Ademi, and Shiva Nayerain Jazi on this well-deserved honor.
Submitted by Dr. Ronald Perry, Director, International Dental Program, TUSDM
