Dr. Carla Lidner receives 'Hometown Hero' award
from Children's Hospital Foundation

Hometown Heroes: Joseph Rodriguez, a nurse; Cherie Gruenfeld, a retired teacher; and Dr. Carla Lidner, assistant professor, dental educational services.

Carla Lidner, SD'90, assistant professor, dental educational services, was named a Hometown Hero during the Children's Hospital 10th Anniversary Gala held Sunday, February 23, in the Loma Linda University Drayson Center.

As she has worked with Proposition 10 Grant funding, Dr. Lidner found creative ways to break through barriers to care, to provide dental treatment for children under the age of 5 who would otherwise be without care.

Dr. Lidner co-wrote and was awarded a two-year grant from the Commission on Children and Families for $1.1 million.

The program was so successful that the School of Dentistry received a second two-year grant of $2.3 million to continue the program.

Working in partnership with many departments within the School, community dentists, as well as with agencies including Head Start, more than 7,000 children in desperate need will receive dental care in 2003.

The Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation initiated the "Hometown Hero" award program in early 1997 to recognize the contributions of individuals who help make a difference in children's lives, while enriching the surrounding community.

In addition to Dr. Lidner, two other individuals received Hometown Hero awards: Cherie Gruenfeld, a retired teacher and triathlete, and Joseph Rodriguez, a nurse.