Michael Barry has roots in the St. Louis area where he graduated from University High in 2016 and Saint Louis University in 2020. As well, he did post-graduate science classes at UMSL before enrolling in Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health this past year. Michael believes their focus on public health and serving others aligns with his vision. He has noticed the need for dental care both in metro St. Louis as well as the rural counties around school. He plans to settle in St. Louis where he can continue to volunteer with programs like Give Kids A Smile and the Rural Parish Dental Van.

Blake Lewis is a home-grown Kirksville student who graduated from Kirksville High in 2018, then earned a degree from Truman State University. He is D1 at Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health. Blake’s volunteer experience reflects his energy and interest in physical work to promote greater good, especially among young people. His career goal is to practice in the Kirksville area and honor the motto of his mentor, “I don’t treat teeth. I treat people with teeth.” 

Shreya Patel is a 2018 graduate of Visitation Academy and a 2022 Saint Louis University graduate. Although only a first-year student, Shreya has had dentistry in her sights since volunteering at MOMOM as an eighth grader. The commitment of the dental community and the gratitude of patients in need made a big impression. Since then, she’s become fluent in three languages and used her organizational and team skills to build a vision for her future which includes more outreach to the underserved through organized dentistry connections.

Riley Pereles is a second-year dental student at UMKC. He graduated from Clinton High School in 2017 and from MU in 2021 with a degree in biochemistry. Riley loves to roll up his sleeves and put his hands to work. His volunteer and leadership experiences are many and diverse including serving as treasurer for ASDA District 8. He credits his small-town background as motivation to choose a career where he can pay it forward. 

Shonte Reed hails from southwest Missouri where she graduated from Nixa High School in 2010. She will graduate from UMKC in 2024. Shonte was born to lead; her CV and volunteer experience reflect hard work and dedication to her community. She turned her own trauma with dentistry at an early age into a mission to serve others. As a minority, her passion is to increase the exposure to dentistry that underrepresented minorities have. She says, “seeing people like you helps build trust in all health providers.” 

Nik Wickerhauser is a force to be reckoned with. A 2017 graduate of Clayton High and a 2021 graduate of Wash U, Nik is now a second year UMKC student with extensive overseas experience, study in six languages and leadership in social causes. Nik is also a decorated and diverse leader at both the local and national level. Nik believes in a career marked by passion for DEI issues and translational research, which are both reflective of ADA and society’s growth.