During her four years at Creighton, senior Dental student, Erin Nicorata, has been actively involved in student leadership positions, including roles within the university’s dental school.
Her work has not gone unnoticed. Nicorata is the recipient of the Dr. David A. Reinsch Humanitarian Award.
According to Mark Latta, Dean and professor of general dentistry, this award is designed to recognize a rising senior student who embodies a spirit of humanitarianism and believes in the equality and welfare of others. The selection is to also consider students who go above and beyond their regular activities and responsibilities.
“The award was initiated and funded by colleagues and classmates of Dr. David Reinsch who was beloved and who met an early and untimely passing,” Latta said. “Dr. Reinsch personified the characteristics of humanitarianism and service that are used to select the students.”
According to the winter 2011-12 issue of Creighton School of Dentistry Dean’s Newsletter, Reinsch died of cancer on May 12, 2011 at age 56. Reinsch’s friends regarded him as a person for others and active in his community, especially in service to those less fortunate.
The Dr. David A. Reinsch Award is an honor that recalls the memory of Reinsch, an outstanding and beloved dentist and alum, and it includes a significant cash award, Latta said. The cash stipend included with this award helps offset educational costs associated with the final year of dental education.
Nicorata said she was both honored and humbled to receive the award.
“It serves as a great reminder for me to continue to serve as a leader in my community,” Nicorata said.
Nicorata has acted as a leader during her time at Creighton by assuming the position of president of her class for the past four years.
“The position has presented opportunities to not only help my classmates, but additionally to serve the school in general as a leader and student advocate,” Nicorata said.
In addition to her role as president of her class, Nicorata was a member of the Graduate and Professional Education Task Force as part of Creighton’s Strategic Planning Committee. On top of all these responsibilities, Nicorata has also managed to stay actively involved in community service dental events, and act as a mentor to Creighton undergraduate students who are interested in applying to dental school.
Latta described Nicorata as an outstanding student and marvelous representative of Creighton, and the dental profession.
“[Nicorata] conveys a tone of caring and compassion to her patients and her colleagues and assumed a number of leadership roles above and beyond as a dental student,” Latta said. “She will no doubt make significant professional and personal contributions to the profession and her community.”