| Dentalgram |
March 2002
|
Karen Kotoske named Dental Hygiene Alumnus of the Year for 2002
 |
| Karen Simpson, DH’66, chair, dental hygiene (left) presents the Dental Hygiene Alumna of the Year Award to Karen Kotoske, class of 1967. |
The Dental Hygiene Alumna of the Year Award for 2002 was
presented to Karen Kotoske, class of 1967, during the dental hygiene and
assisting Homecoming luncheon on February 8.
Ms. Kotoske is director of Amistad Foundation, an organization that was
organized more than 20 years ago.
During a visit to Mexico Ms. Kotoske became aware of the desperate needs
of the Huichol Indians in the western part of the country, and felt God’s
call to service.
Amistad is a Spanish word meaning friendship. The Foundation’s goal
is to provide opportunities which enable people to help themselves.
This includes working through medical/dental clinics to provide emergency
and primary care, nutrition, substance abuse care and education, sustainable
agriculture education projects, including drinking water and irrigation
for garden crops. Recently Amistad has expanded to countries including
Africa and Mongolia.
Ms. Kotoske has exhibited the love of Christ and His ministry as she has
given herself to serve Him. She resides in the Bay area with her attorney
husband, Tom. She practices as a dental hygienist and assists her dentist
at the San Francisco Zoo, providing dental care to the zoo creatures.
When asked what she would say to today’s dental hygiene students
she replies, “Ask God for a job.”
Her plaque reads: “Dental hygiene alumni of Loma Linda University
honor Karen Kotoske as Dental Hygiene Alumna of the Year—for her
unselfish service in an international setting; for her involvement with
health education projects in the community; and for being an inspiring
Christian and professional role model. We honor our respected colleague
and God’s humble servant.”
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