LLU School of Dentistry Journal

Journal

Spring 2002

Alumni of the Year
Leif K. Bakland named Alumnus of the year;
Karen Kotoske Alumna of the Year, 2002

Leif K. Bakland

Leif K. Bakland, SD'63, (right) was presented with the Alumnus of the Year Award for 2002 in the University Church February 9,2002. Also pictured are, from left: Randy Roberts, senior pastor, University Church; Charles Goodacre, SD'71, Dean; and Alumni Association President Michael Boyko, SD'75A.

The Alumnus of the Year Award for 2002 was presented to Leif K. Bakland, SD’63, in the University Church of Seventh-day Adventists February 9, 2002.

Michael Boyko, SD’75A, president of the School of Dentistry Alumni Association and Charles J. Goodacre, SD’71, dean, School of Dentistry, made the presentation during the beginning of the church service as part of welcoming the alumni.

A member of the class of 1963, Dr. Bakland has been actively involved in the Alumni Association as convention chair (1977–1978), president (1978–1979), and president of the LLU Alumni Federation (1979–1981).

During his time of involvement with the Alumni Federation he initiated the program “Loma Linda Comes to You,” in which faculty members visit alumni groups throughout the country and present lectures.

Dr. Bakland was invited to join the LLUSD faculty in 1976 and became the first chairman when the department of endodontics was established in 1977. At that time, he also took on for several years the responsibility of directorship of the advanced education program in endodontics.

Besides his departmental activities, he has served as associate dean for clinic administration and is currently associate dean for advanced education in addition to being department chair.

During his appointment as associate dean for clinic administration, Dr. Bakland encouraged the dental student leadership to begin a yearly one-day free clinic for community people who could not afford dental care.

He suggested the name, “Clinic With a Heart,” after a similar program,”Doctors With a Heart,” in which dentists open their office for a day of free care.

The “Clinic With a Heart” has been an annual event since 1989.

Among the many professional activities in which Dr. Bakland is involved, he enjoys most being editor of Loma Linda University DENTISTRY, which he helped develop and has served as its editor from the beginning (1988).

Karen Kotoske

Karen Simpson, DH'66,chair, dental hygiene (left) presents the dental hygiene alumna of the year award to Karen Kotoske, DH'67.

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.

Ms. Kotoske was invited to share her outreach experiences with students, faculty, and staff during the school's most recent fall family retreat at Pine Springs Ranch.

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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